The Charmoise sheep is a breed of domestic sheep which is raised mainly for meat production. It was originated from France in the middle of nineteenth century.
The breed was actually developed in the center of France (Loir et Cher). It was created by crossing the imported Romney sheep from United Kingdom to ewes from local sheep breeds, such as the Merino, Berrichon and Solognot.
The Charmoise sheep breed has been used in the production of continental terminal sheep breeds such as the Charollais and the Rouge.
It is a genuine hill breed, and first to be imported to United Kingdom from the Continent.
Total population of the breed has decreased from over 122,000 in 1993 to over 21,000 in the year of 2001. Read some more information about this sheep breed below.
Charmoise Sheep Characteristics
The Charmoise sheep are medium sized animals. They are either white in color or unicolored. Both rams and ewes are generally polled, that means they have no horns.
Average body height of the mature ewes is around 60 cm at the withers, and around 65 cm for the rams.
Average live body weight of the mature Charmoise rams is around 70 kg. And the mature ewe’s average live body weight is around 45 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
The Charmoise sheep is a meat sheep breed. It is raised mainly for meat production.
Special Notes
The Charmoise sheep are hardy animals, and they are well adapted to their native environment. They are genuine hill sheep breed and good for raising in hilly areas.
Main reason for the success of the breed in commercial crossbreeding is the exceptional confirmation. They are used for the production of quality primestock lamb.
Today the Charmoise sheep is found in the rougher hill areas of France where it is breed pure for producing high quality small lamb.
It is classified as ‘race rustique‘, or hardy breed in France. However, review full breed profile of the Charmoise sheep in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Charmoise |
| Other Names | None |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly meat |
| Special Notes | Very hardy animals, well adapted to their native climates, today raised mainly for meat production, it is a genuine hill sheep breed and very good for raising in hilly areas, used for the production of quality primestock lamb |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Weight | Mature ram’s live body weight is around 70 kg, and the mature ewe’s average live body weight is around 45 kg |
| Horns | No |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates |
| Color | Generally white |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | France |
