The Rideau Arcott sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from Canada. It is one of only a few livestock breeds native to Canada. The name Rideau is a common in Ottawa, and the Arcott is an acronym for the Animal Research Centre in Ottawa.
The breed was actually developed from a breeding program that was created in 1966 by Agriculture Canada’s Animal Research Centre in Ottawa. Canadian Arcott and the Outauais Arcott are the other breeds that were produce from the same program.
When developing the Rideau Arcott, their goat was to create a breed of sheep that produced multiple offspring rapidly. They introduced new technologies in quantitative genetics, reproductive physiology, nutrition and housing that allowed them to select for the traits they wanted to be expressed in the breed.
In the year of 1974, the research flock was closed, and the breed was distributed to shepherds beginning in 1988.
The Rideau Arcott sheep breed genetically 20 percent Suffolk, 9 percent Shropshire, 14 percent East Friesian, 40 percent Finnish Landrace, 8 percent Dorset Horn, and the remaining 8 percent is Corriedale, Romnelet, North Country Cheviot and Border Leicester.
The Rideau Arcott sheep breed has been selectively bred for good growth rate, high milk production, higher fertility and multiple births. However, read some more information about this breed below.
Rideau Arcott Sheep Characteristics
Rideau Arcott sheep is a large breed which is generally of white color. But some animals may have slightly colored legs. Face of these animals is white and free of wool, but a few dark patches sometimes occur.
They are usually naturally polled. But some Rideau Arcott rams may develop horny protuberances.
Average live body weight of the mature Rideau Arcott rams is up to 100 kg. And average live body weight of the mature ewes vary from 70 to 90 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Housing
Providing good housing facility is a very important part of modern sheep farming business. Try to provide your animals with a suitable shelter and housing to ensure their overall good health, well-being and productivity.
Make their house in such a way so that it can offer protection from extreme weather conditions. And this will ensure the sheep remain healthy and comfortable throughout the year. Ensure adequate ventilation, proper lighting insight their house. Always try to clean their house on a regular basis.
Feeding
Feeding the animals with very good quality and nutritious food is very important for maintaining a healthy and productive flock. The Rideau Arcott sheep are known for their robust appetites and nutritional needs.
So, you have to provide a balanced diet that includes a mix of high-quality forages and grains to meet their dietary requirements. Along with providing good quality foods, always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand.
Breeding
The Rideau Arcott sheep are naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily if you keep good ratio of male and females in your flock. Just select the breeding pairs based on some important traits (such as high fertility, strong maternal instincts, and rapid growth rates). Generally, one mature buck is sufficient enough for breeding around or up to 20-25 females.
Caring
Taking good care of the Rideau Arcott sheep is very important. Although they are very strong and hardy animals and generally require less caring. Providing them with a clean and comfortable shelter, ensuring access to fresh water, and nutritious feed will be enough for their overall good health.
Try to perform regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and parasite control. And always monitor their behavior and address any signs of distress or illness promptly and do the needful immediately.
Uses
Rideau Arcott sheep is a dual-purpose animal. It is good for both meat and fleece production. But today, the breed is raised mainly for meat production.
Special Notes
The Rideau Arcott sheep are very hardy and strong animals. They are kept for both meat and wool production. They have a rapid growth rate, and they produce a medium-quality fleece.
The ewes are very prolific, and lambing can occur at around eight months of intervals. The mature ewes produce 40 percent twins and 50 percent triplets, but the ewe lambs have a lambing rate of around 170 percent.
Today the breed is popular and noted for it’s higher growth rate, high milk production, multiple births and higher fertility. However, review full breed profile of this breed in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Rideau Arcott |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Meat, wool |
| Special Notes | Very hardy and strong animals, kept for both meat and wool production, rapid growth rate, produce medium-quality fleece, ewes are very prolific |
| Breed Size | Large |
| Weight | Rams weight around 100 kg, and the ewe’s weight vary from 70 to 90 kg |
| Horns | No |
| Climate Tolerance | All climates |
| Color | Usually white |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Canada |
