Columbia

Sheep · Wool · 0 live listings

Columbias were developed by the USDA starting in 1912 from Lincoln rams and Rambouillet ewes, for western range flocks. They are large, white-faced, dual-purpose sheep with heavy fleeces and good growth.

At a glance

Purpose
Meat and wool
Origin
Wyoming and Idaho, US
Mature weight
Ewes 150–225 lb
Lifespan
10–12 years
Temperament
Calm, flocking
Best fit
Range and farm flocks
Species
Sheep
Category
Livestock
Group
Wool
Registries
Breed association, Scrapie program tag, NSIP (genetic evaluation)
Papers
5 categories
DocilityCalm, strong flocking
HardinessBred for the range
Fleece workHeavy fleece to shear
Beginner fitLarge for beginners

Scales follow breed-club and veterinary consensus; individual animals vary. Listings show what each seller has on file.

The tradeoffs, honestly

Columbias are big and need plenty of feed and sturdy handling gear. Their heavy fleeces are valuable but take work to shear and skirt well.

Common questions

What is Columbia wool like?

Medium grade, about 24 to 31 microns, with fleeces often 10 to 16 pounds. It is a versatile wool for spinning and commercial use.

What health tests should they have?

Ask for OPP, CL and Johne's results for the flock, and check that each sheep carries official scrapie ID. Codon 171 scrapie genotype (RR is resistant) is worth asking for on breeding rams.

Are Columbias good for small farms?

They can be, if you have good pasture and handling facilities. They were bred for range flocks, so they are hardy but large. A smaller breed may suit limited land.

Market, past 90 daysFull index →
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Typical rangeNot enough sales yet for a rangeLive listings0
Health tests to ask for
Veterinary exam on fileScrapie genotypeOPP negativeJohne's negativeCL (caseous lymphadenitis) negativeCD&T currentDNA parentage verifiedOfficial scrapie ID recorded

Ask the seller for these. Documents on Everybarn are on file for your own checks; we don't check them with the issuer.

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Columbia · Everybarn