Colorado State not sheepish about breeding
fort collins» There are some new additions to the Colorado State University family. An October “love” tryst between CSU’s mascot, Cam 24, and two ewes from Durango has produced Cam: Generation next!
CSU associate professor Kraig Peel made it all happen.
“We thought what better way to advertise what we do as a land grant university and as a department than to raise our own mascot,” said Peel.
The new flock is made up of twin males and triplet females that are now around 3 weeks old.
Peel believes the intentional breedings are a first for the school.
“There’s really not been continuity in the program,” he said.
The project has provided a learning opportunity for nonagriculture student “Ram Handlers,” who provide daily care for the rams.
“They’re always surprised when I say, ‘You have to feed them twice a day. Really? Twice? OK!’ Cam doesn’t trot out on football game day and look good,” Peel said.
Rambouillet sheep live to only around 6 or 7 years old — sometimes up to 9. But no doubt, it’s a good life.
“Over time, as they get older, they just start to say, ‘You know what? I’m not doing this anymore,’ ” Peel said.
The newborns will be fully grown in two years, but only one of the two males will be selected to continue his father’s legacy — just in time for the debut of CSU’s new stadium in 2017. 7News