Spælsau
Photo: Unknown
Photo: Frode Inge Helland)
Spelsau (Old Norwegian Short Tail Landrace)
Spelsau is a sheep race. Ideal weight approx. 65 – 70 kg.
Many consider it to be the original sheep race in Norway. It is well adapted to the climate and was a domestic animal from the iron age. The spelsau stock makes up about 20% of the complete number of sheep in Norway. In Island the spelsau makes up 100% of all sheep.
Properties
Originally it is a compact and lightly built and does not need much of concentrated food. The meat has relatively little fat. The Spelsau gives rich amount of milk, stick well together i flock and manages well outdor most of the year. But i it is more exposed to eye desease by eating the plant Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum).
Utilization
It gives milk and meat of good qualiy. The wool is special. It has two layers: An outer longhaired, glossy undulating layer of wool protecting the underlying layer against wind and rain, an undelying layer which keeps the sheep warm. The long, protective wool which is used for weaving has hard spun two chord strings, instead of the usual three chord type - and has a beautiful lustre. This spelsau yarn was used in our old tapistries from reanaissance and baroque times. The Viking ship sails were made from spelsau yarn. The wool was also in the old days used in clothing because it was light, stable and absorbed little moisture.
Reference
Tho. B. Kielland: Norsk Billedvev (Fortids kunst i norske bygder).
Lindholt Data.
Bondevennen nr 27/28 - 12 juli 2002.