Oveya Xalda

Abstract

The Xalda sheep is an indigenous breed that belongs to the Celtic branch of the species. Xalda sheep are very agile, lively and are keen walkers. Their overall appearance is that of a small and well-proportioned sheep. They have white, or preferably black fleece that starts from below their horns with medium-fine fibre that is wavy but does not form ringlets. They have small and woolly heads; the male sheep have spiral horns and the females have hornlike mounds or rudimentary horns. They are bred using extensive cattle breeding techniques to produce lamb for consumption. The flavour of the meat is very distinctive and is in fact more similar to kid than to traditional lamb.