— The Openherd Team
Poppy and Zane the Jacob lambs
Sheep, Navajo-Churro, Ram Lamb (male)
Beautiful, calm boy!Juan Carlos was purchased by Miranda Howard in Michigan (Howard's Knit Knacks) to sire his own flock of Navajo-Churros! I could not be more proud.He is the single two-horned brown ram lamb out of Chief and Eloise. He is the full brother to SHF Poblano "Pablo."Navajo-Churros were first brought to the New World by Spanish conquistadors, making them the first sheep here. Over time, multiple native American tribes raided and traded for them, but the Navajos made the most use of them. They were nearly eradicated by the U.S. government in an attempt to subdue the Navajos, but some surviving sheep hid among the southwestern canyons. Some were also brought west during the Gold Rush.During the Great Depression, one third of all livestock were slaughtered by the U.S. government, nearly eradicating the breed again. It wasn't until the 1970s that some of the sheep scattered in the southwest canyons were developed into the Navajo-Churros we raise today.If you ever wondered why they can be flighty, I believe that is the answer: they're descended from two hundred years of sheep that survived by hiding in canyons.
Updated 10/2/2023