The Smallest sheep in the world
My husband and I vacationed in France. Now that alone was fantastical, but before any trip, I make a point to do some fiber research of the area. That’s when I saw them....Ouessant sheep! They are one of the smallest sheep in the world and they have quite a history.
Native to France, or rather the French island of Ushant in the Celtic Sea, Ouessant were raised in isolation and provided meat and wool for a small population of people. At the beginning of the 19th Century, their numbers dwindled down to 6,000 and they were mostly forgotten about due to modernization. Since the food supply was limited, their small stature was an advantage in a windy area that was not as lush as the mainland and they survived. Wealthy families on the mainland had a revived interest in them and brought them to their estates to graze. Since then, there have been many involved in the preservation of this beautiful breed.
Today, some of these little ones are used as eco-mowers and natural fertilizers, grazing in Paris’ grassland areas and lawns and other communities. Although I hoped that I would spot these sheep grazing in Paris while there, there were no guarantees. Rather then put it up to chance, I found several farms that had Ouessant and contacted them for a tour. It was Monique and Jean Luis that reached out an invitation to meet face-to-face and spend the day with them. What an experience!
James (my great fiber enabler) and I took a train from Paris to Nantes - a two hour ride through gorgeous French countryside. Upon reaching Nantes, we were greeted with large sign-toting hosts and waving arms. They picked us out of the crowd immediately and greeted us with large smiles. We were on our way!
Monique and Jean-Louis
Monique Brillet-Abbe and Jean-Louis Langlais are a lovely couple who are dedicated to the preservation of this rare breed. They continue the work that Monique’s father started many years ago and their passion of the breed is evident. In speaking with them (with my poor French and their much better English), they told me about the history of their town, their historic homestead and background of these miniature sheep. It was all so interesting and it was so easy to be swept away with their enthusiasm. When we pulled on to their property, I wasn’t prepared for what we saw next. The most beautiful and perfect little sheep (the size of my Beagles) were right before me grazing and some walked immediately up to us in curiosity. Monique lifted one of the explorers up and gently put her in my arms. Light in weight with an unusually high yield of wool for such a small animal, she squirmed in my arms. The more she squirmed, the more I tried to offer support underneath her body thinking she felt like she was going to fall. Monique explained that they don’t like their back ends supported and demonstrated with expertise how to hold a Ouessant over one arm and against your body like an curious baby that needs to see their world around them. Once I changed my position, that sweet girl just relaxed and took in the scenery from my 5’2” vantage point. I fell in love!
Jean-Louis said that it was time to feed the flock. In the Spring and Summer months, the land offers sufficient nutrition for them in grazing, but we were in the thick of Autumn. They needed supplemental pellets through the Fall and Winter. We offered to help and he gestured for us to follow him. I thought we would be returning to the small gathering we just left in the front pasture (ie. backyard). I was so wrong and glad I was.
Passing alongside the house was a large supply shed with feed and large chicken coops teaming with large hens, each with a pronounced red v-shaped comb on their head resembling horns. They were La Flèche, a rare French breed that were fascinating to see. Scooping large amounts of feed, we headed off in the opposite direction of the house. We passed a lake and large trees that have been on their property for generations and arranged in a dreamy composition that resembled a perfect nature movie scene. Not sure of where we were going, I admired the walk along the path and trusted we would reach our destination soon or at least be stronger for the weight we were carrying. We reached the gate and that’s when my eyes adjusted from the shaded path and saw the sun-filled hills of the pastures. Paradise! The rolling landscape spread out in all directions and gently held pasture after pasture of beautiful little sheep dotting the brown and gold grasses. Jean-Louis’ familiar cadence and whistle signaled the ewes that food was coming and they excitedly ran to welcome him with bleats and baaaahs. As the ladies ate, he explained the characteristics of a purebred Ouessant. First, they are small in size. A ram is no taller than 19 inches and ewe is smaller at about 18 inches. The largest ram can weigh slightly more than 40 pounds. The rams are horned and the ewes are polled (naturally hornless.) They have a distinct curved slope that creates a continuous line from the forehead to the end of the nose, protruding orbitals, deep chest and are well proportioned. He noted that some have signs, many generations later, that another genetic influence exists. Among the most common markers of which are changes in size (mostly larger) and small white patches at the corner of the eyes.
Leaving the ewes to their meal, we headed off to feed three pastures full of hungry rams. These little guys had spirit! As we filled the trough with pellets, their large spiral horns bashed together in competition and by simply demanding more room. Still, we were told to keep our eyes on them. If you turn your back, even though they are small, they can buck your feet straight from under you! The thought made me chuckle but my eyes never left them.
The Ouessant were fed and all the chores were done. We headed down well worn trails towards the house with that good tired feeling. Looking across the landscape, I observed the well-fed and satisfied little sheep dotting the rolling hills. It was a scene I’ll tuck away in my heart forever.
Monique had rushed before us, filling the home with the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread, vegetable quiche, French cheeses and local wine and champagne. James and I were humbled by their gracious hospitality. Like a game of charades, we talked over our meal with broken French and large gestures. We learned of their families and the history of their property. We followed their verbal journey from Monique’s inherited legacy to their shared passion and stewardship of the Ouessant breed. We took moments to admire family photos and the historic features in their home. After a magnificent dessert, they brought out the wool! Raw fleece, roving, felted blankets and hats....shut the door!
A Ouessant fleece weighs approximately 1.5 pounds (750 grams) which is pretty generous for their small size and weight. Their fleece are typically dark brown or black in coloration but there are a few that are white. Ouessant have a distinct double coated fleece and the wool averages around 27-28 microns. There is little crimp to their fleece and, although not next-to-skin-soft, it has a sheen and softness that begs to be spun! Felting is also a great option for this wool. I chose some beautiful fleeces and prepared roving to bring back home with me. Excitement welled up as I thought about how to apply this wool in to a special project to remember our friends and experience in Nantes, France.
After a full day with Monique and Jean Louis in their part of paradise, we sadly had to go. They took us to the station by the scenic route and toured through the historic town of Nantes. We walked through a castle, a town square with gorgeous architecture and even stopped by a historic chocolate shop. It was a wonderful trip and by the time we stepped on to our train, James and I knew we had made lifetime friends. Pulling out from the station, I caught a glimpse of Monique jumping up and down waving goodbye. I waved back already looking forward to the time we would meet again.
***Although this post is specific to my experience and interaction with the Ouessant and our gracious hosts, I would love to eventually blog further about their stories, experiences and the building of GEMO (le Groupement des eleveurs de moutons d’Ouessant), an organization that is working with breeding and promoting the re-integration of Ouessant sheep back into the French landscape.