Maple Tree Farms

Navajo-Churro Sheep

The Navajo-Churro sheep is an ancient breed of sheep developed by the Diné people of the Southwestern United States from stock of Spanish origin.

A medium sized breed noted for is rugged hardiness and good health, the Navajo-Churro is famed for it's unique double coated fleece. Ideal for creating durable rugs capable of lasting decades, the Churro fleece can also be used for many types of weaving and knitting projects.

For more information on the history and preservation of the Churro sheep please visit the website of the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association.

Fleece

Although Navajo-Churro wool is renowned for its use as a rug wool and is characterized as a coarse wool, it is not necessarily harsh. It should be remembered that before it was used for rugs for the tourist trade, the wool of the Churro was woven into robes and blankets. Many Churro fleeces are quite similar in hand and appearance to Icelandic and Shetland fleeces.

At Maple Tree Farms we have been selecting for a fleece with a softer hand while retaining the distinctive qualities of this unique breed. For more detailed information on the characteristics of the fleece, click here.

Colors

One of the delights of this breed is the plethora of colors that are produced. Solid white to solid black to solid brown and all the shades between, plus a number of patterns - spotted, badgerface, Two Grey Hills offer something for every fiber project and form living tapestry in the pasture. Colors tend to change throughout the sheep's life so that a lamb born coal black will be a lovely silver when mature. To see various colors and patterns, click here.

Horns

Both sexes can be polled or more commonly have 2 or more horns.

For more information about the horns on Navajo-Churro Sheep, click here.