— The Openherd Team
Poppy and Zane the Jacob lambs
Sheep, Navajo-Churro, Ewe Lamb (female) | Badgerface
Beautiful polled twin badgerface ewe out of Chief and Hazel! Full sister to SHF Hosanna and her twin SHF Shilah.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.I try to use Spanish and Navajo names to honor their heritage. Sierra is Spanish for "mountain."Sierra is the only lamb that reluctantly lets me touch her a little while she eats. She poses for the camera and loves to show off how pretty she is!
Updated 10/2/2023