Rouge De L'Ouest: Characteristics, Uses, Photo

The Rouge de l’Ouest sheep is a breed of domestic sheep from France. It is also known as Tête rouge du Maine, and name of this breed literally translates from French as “Red of the West” which refers to it’s region of origin and it’s unique pinkish face and legs.

The breed was developed in the Maine et Loire department of France. And it was developed through crossing local landrace sheep breeds with Wensleydales and Bluefaced Leicesters.

It is of the same origin as the Blue du Maine, but with a distinctive pink face and legs. The French registry for the Rouge de l’Ouest sheep was established in 1968, and the U.K. registry was established in 1986. Read some more information about this sheep breed below.

Table of Contents

Rouge de l’Ouest Sheep Characteristics

Rouge de l’Ouest sheep is a medium to large sized breed. It has unique pinkish face and legs. It’s wool is medium in length.

rouge de l'ouest sheep, about rouge de l'ouest sheep, rouge de l'ouest sheep appearance, rouge de l'ouest sheep breed, rouge de l'ouest sheep breed info, rouge de l'ouest sheep breed facts, rouge de l'ouest sheep behavior, rouge de l'ouest sheep care, caring rouge de l'ouest sheep, rouge de l'ouest sheep color, rouge de l'ouest sheep characteristics, rouge de l'ouest sheep ewes, rouge de l'ouest sheep facts, rouge de l'ouest sheep for meat, rouge de l'ouest sheep for milk, rouge de l'ouest sheep history, rouge de l'ouest sheep horns, rouge de l'ouest sheep info, rouge de l'ouest sheep images, lambs, rouge de l'ouest sheep meat, rouge de l'ouest sheep origin, rouge de l'ouest sheep photos, rouge de l'ouest sheep pictures, rouge de l'ouest sheep rarity, rouge de l'ouest sheep rearing, raising rouge de l'ouest sheep, rouge de l'ouest sheep size, rouge de l'ouest sheep temperament, rouge de l'ouest sheep tame, rouge de l'ouest sheep uses, rouge de l'ouest sheep varieties, rouge de l'ouest sheep weight

Both rams and ewes are usually polled, and these animals have a well-muscled body.

The breed is related to the Bleu de Maine, despite it’s quite different appearance. Photo and info from Wikipedia.

Uses

This was originally a dairy sheep breed, used to produce Camembert cheese. But today, the breed is raised mainly for meat production purpose.

Special Notes

The Rouge de l’Ouest sheep is a strong and hardy breed of domestic sheep. It was originally a dairy sheep breed and used for producing Camembert cheese in the past.

But today, the breed is raised mainly for meat production. The rams are used as sires for market lambs.

Average fleece weight of the Rouge de l’Ouest sheep is about 1.5 kg to 2 kg, with a staple length of 1.8 inches to 2.3 inches and a spinning count of 58’s to 60’s. However, review full breed profile of this sheep breed in the following chart.

Breed Name	Rouge de l’Ouest
Other Name	Also known as Tête rouge du Maine
Breed Purpose	Mainly meat
Special Notes	Strong and hardy, excellent meat breed, well adapted to native climate, used as a dairy breed in the past, but now raised mainly for meat production
Breed Size	Medium to large
Horns	No
Climate Tolerance	Native climates
Color	White
Rarity	Common
Country/Place of Origin	France