Bleu du Maine

The Bleu du Maine (also known as Blauköpfiges Fleischschaf (German), Bazougers, Bluefaced Maine, Blue-headed Maine, Maine-Anjou, Maine à tête bleue, Maynne Blue)[1] is a breed of domestic sheep that originated in western France, in the region common to the departments of Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne and Sarthe.[2] A large, prolific sheep, the most distinctive characteristic of the breed is its bald, gray–blue head which is polled in both sexes.[1] More common in France and the Netherlands, it has also been exported to the U.K., where it is sometimes used for the creation of cross–bred mules.[3] Though this breed does grow wool, it is raised primarily for meat.[4]

A Bleu du Maine ewe at an agricultural show in Flanders.

Millennium Bleu

The Millennium Bleu is a new breed which began to be developed in the year 2000. It is a cross of a Bleu du Maine ewe with a Texel or Beltex ram. It is still rare in the U.K., and is used primarily as a terminal sire.[5]

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gollark: That would be highly inconvenient.
gollark: What? I've been on lots of trains. You don't have to sit down constantly.
gollark: Although sometimes there are issues, it's generally more "doing stupid things to appear safe" than "being too safe".
gollark: > I hate the safety focus of modern society. We should take more risks and be less opposed to death.Well, death bad.

References
  1. "Bleu du Maine". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University Dept. of Animal Science. Archived from the original on 2007-12-14. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  2. "Race ovine Bleu du Maine" (in French). Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon Dept. of Animal Science. Archived from the original on 2006-11-17. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  3. Brown, Dave; Sam Meadowcroft (1996). The Modern Shepherd. Wharfedale Road, Ipswich 1P1 4LG, United Kingdom: Farming Press. ISBN 0-85236-188-2.CS1 maint: location (link)
  4. "Bleu du Maine/France". Breed Data Sheet. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  5. "Millennium Bleu sheep proving a success". The Journal. 2003-08-09. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
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