The Rambouillet sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from France. It is also known as the French Merino and the Rambouillet Merino. In the year of 1786, development of this breed started when Louis XVI purchased over 300 Spanish Merinos.
Louis XVI purchased 7 wethers, 41 rams and 318 ewes from his cousin King Charles III of Spain. And the flock was subsequently developed on an experimental royal farm, now Bergerie Nationale.
The Bergerie royale was built during the region of Louis XVI, at his request, on his domain of Rambouillet.
The Rambouillet is 50 km southwest of Paris. The flock at the royal farm was raised continuously, with no sheep being sold for several years, well into the 19th century.
A well-defined breed was developed from the outcrossing with English long-wool sheep breeds and selection which was different in several important points from the original Spanish Merino sheep.
However, the Rambouillet Association was formed in the United States in 1889, with the aim of preserving the breed. An estimated 50 percent of the sheep population on the western United States ranges are of Rambouillet blood.
Today the Rambouillet sheep are raised for both meat and wool production. Read some more information about this breed below.
Rambouillet Sheep Characteristics
Rambouillet sheep are large sized animals with beautiful appearance. Both rams and ewes are horned, but the rams have large curved horns.
As a large sized animal, average live mature body weight of the Rambouillet rams is between 113 and 135 kg. And average live body weight of the mature ewes vary from 68 to 90 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
The Rambouillet sheep are dual-purpose animals. They are raised for both meat and wool production.
Special Notes
The Rambouillet sheep are very strong and hardy animals. They are well suited to almost all climates. They are actually a dual-purpose animal, and raised for both meat and wool production.
They are well known and noted for their superior wool and near-mutton breed characteristics. Fleece of these animals was valuable in the manufacture of cloth, at times being woven in a mixed fabric of cotton warp and wool weft, known as Delaine Merino.
The Rambouillet sheep breed was also used for the development of the “Barbado” or American Blackbelly sheep, which was crossed with Barbados Blackbelly and Mouflon for their horns at hunting ranches.
Mature animals usually produce 3.6 to 8.1 kg fleece with an yield of 35 to 55 percent. Their fleece staple length will vary from 2-4 inches, and range in fiber diameter from 18.5 to 24.5 microns or 60 to 80 for the numerical count. However, review full breed profile of the Rambouillet sheep in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Rambouillet |
| Other Name | Also known as the French Merino and the Rambouillet Merino sheep |
| Breed Purpose | Meat, wool |
| Special Notes | Very hardy and strong animals, kept for both meat and wool production, well suited to almost all climates, well known for their superior wool and near-mutton breed characteristics |
| Breed Size | Large |
| Weight | Rams weight between 113 and 135 kg, and the ewe’s weight vary from 68 to 90 kg |
| Horns | Yes |
| Climate Tolerance | All climates |
| Color | Can vary |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | France |
Frequently Asked Questions
People ask many questions about Rambouillet sheep. Here we are trying to list the most common questions about these sheep. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
Is Rambouillet sheep farming profitable?
Yes, commercial production of Rambouillet sheep is very profitable. You can start this business for making money easily.
How to start Rambouillet sheep farming business?
Starting commercial production of Rambouillet sheep is relatively easy and simple. You just have to purchase good quality animal, make a good house for them, feed them good quality food and take good care of them.
What is the purpose of Rambouillet sheep?
Rambouillet is good for both meat and wool production. The ewes are often crossbred extensively with medium-wool and long-coarse-wool rams to produce choice market lambs and rugged breeding ewes with heavy, attractive medium wool.
Are Rambouillet sheep good for meat?
Yes, the Rambouillets are also good for meat production. But they are highly valued for their high-quality wool production.
Where did the Rambouillet sheep originate?
These sheep were originated with Spain’s famed Merino flocks, which were known from the earliest times as producers of the world’s finest wool.
Where do Rambouillet sheep live?
The Rambouillet sheep breed originally comes from France. It is the most common breed and perhaps the frist of the U. S. western area sheep flocks.
How long do Rambouillet sheep live?
Average lifespan of the Rambouillet sheep is around or up to 10-12 years.
Can you milk Rambouillet sheep?
Average total milk yield was 69.1±13.3 l per ewe, with a lactation length of 84 days, and average daily milk yield was 822±278 ml per ewe.
Are Rambouillet sheep naturally horned?
Yes, the rams are naturally horned but the ewes are hornless.
Where is Rambouilet found?
Most of the Rambouilets are found in France.
What colors are Rambouilet sheep?
Main color of these sheep is brown, and their color fades with age.
How can you tell a Merino from a Rambouillet?
Rambouillet has many of the same characteristics as Merino, but with a longer staple and a bit less sheen.
What are the characteristics of Rambouillet sheep?
Rambouillets are large sized animals with beautiful appearance. Both rams and ewes are horned, but the rams have large curved horns. As a large sized animal, average live mature body weight of the Rambouillet rams is between 113 and 135 kg. And average live body weight of the mature ewes vary from 68 to 90 kg.
