How much milk do sheep give per day and its benefits and harms, which breeds cannot be milked

Most people have never asked themselves whether sheep give human milk. Mammals feed their offspring with just this product. And, despite the specific smell and high fat content, the drink is a supplier of essential nutrients. In cooking, it is used to make butter, kefir, yoghurts, or valuable varieties of cheese.

How much milk does a sheep give per day?

Depending on the breed, sheep give from 1 to 3 liters of the valuable drink per day. The female's milk is produced when the lamb is born. The animal feeds its young for 3 or 4 months. At other times, the udder remains empty.

After the lamb is taken away from the female, productivity begins to decline under the influence of hormones. Milking increases the lactation period by another month. But then the ewe needs to rest in order to regain strength before mating and the next bearing of cubs. It is impossible to receive milk yield all year round. Milk is produced in sheep about 4-5 months after reproduction.

The benefits and harms of the product

In most regions of Russia, residents consume cow's milk. But the inhabitants of the North Caucasus, Transbaikalia or Central Asia consider the drink obtained after milking sheep to be the elixir of health. But the product also has contraindications.

The drink contains fats, carbohydrates, proteins and a complex of macro- and microelements. Sheep milk has record indicators of the content of valuable substances and nutritional value is one and a half times higher than cow's milk.

Fat content of sheep milk

Many people do not consume sheep's milk due to its high fat content and believe that this property contributes to weight gain.30 years ago, a high nutritional value product was included in the beverage category, not food.

Experts calm down. The milk contains 3 elements that dissolve fats at once - vitamins A, E and D. Mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids keep the drink in the body for a long time, and saturated ones help to better absorb lactose. This is important for people with intolerance to this type of sugar. Fermented milk products of sheep usually do not cause allergic reactions.

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The high nutritional value does not interfere with the use of milk in dietary nutrition. During the period of restriction in food, a person loses many useful substances. The introduction of the product into the diet helps to fill the deficiency of vital elements. But it is better not to exceed the recommended consumption rate - 150 milliliters per day.

What cheeses are made from it

If sheep milk is rarely found on sale, then the cheeses from this product have gained worldwide fame:

1. One of the most popular types is Roquefort. The cheese has a well-recognizable nutty flavor and a buttery structure. The cavities inside are filled with blue mold. The outer shell in the form of a white crust smells of sheep's milk and lime.
2. The name of another well-known product comes from the Italian word "pecora", which means "sheep". Pecorino Romano is a flavorful cheese. Its spicy, slightly salty taste is well known to the inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula. The product is used as a spicy additive even in desserts.
3. Salted and sour feta must be kept in brine to preserve its taste. Soft cheese is an essential ingredient in many salads.
4. A pickle product originally from Armenia - vats, kept in clay pots. White or cream cheese crumbles easily and has no crust. The taste combines pungency, salty notes and bitterness. The famous khachapuri are best with chanakh.
5. Round as a ball of broccio, soft and creamy on the inside, covered with a layer of creamy mildew. The pungent flavor is complemented by both salty and sweet notes. Suitable for preparing various dishes.
6. Another view needs no introduction. Cheese, which has a characteristic sour-salty taste, is widely used in cooking.

All types of sheep cheese retain the beneficial properties of milk. The product contains vitamins, macro- and microelements, proteins and amino acids.

How sheep are milked

Good hygiene is important when milking sheep. The udder is thoroughly washed and rubbed with oil to prevent cracking. The whole process is divided into several simple steps:

1. First, the udder is massaged for a short time. It is more convenient to do this by sitting behind the animal.
2. The first stream is decanted onto the floor.
3. Then milk is milked. First, the udder is grasped with one hand, and the other squeezed and pulled down the nipples, the procedure is repeated no longer than 5 minutes.
4. Milk is collected in a container prepared in advance, covered with gauze.
5. After milking, the udders are washed and dried with a soft towel.

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The whole procedure is carried out carefully and carefully so as not to scare the animal. Negative feelings interfere with productivity. Ewes and lambs are fed if milking is started before the offspring are weaned. This is essential for weight gain.

Best dairy breeds

Dairy sheep are characterized by increased milk production during lactation. The most common types:

1. East Friesian sheep, bred in Germany, produce up to 450 liters of milk during the summer. The resulting raw materials are used for the production of the famous Roquefort or other cheeses.
2. The homeland of the Askanian sheep is Ukraine. Females receive up to 140 liters of a delicious drink with a fat content of 9%.
3. The Tsigai breed is considered one of the oldest. Sheep lactation period lasts 3 or 4 months. During this time, one individual gives 150 liters of milk.
4. Farmers appreciate the Romanov breed of sheep.The milk yield per season from one uterus is approximately 130 liters. After the completion of lactation, animals are sent for slaughter.
5. Balbas sheep are bred in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Milk serves as the basis for making cheeses. One female gives about 130 liters.

Recently, the popularity of dairy breeds has increased due to the possibility of making cheeses. Today farmers consider this direction to be profitable.

Which sheep should not be milked

Some sheep breeds are bred only for meat and wool production. Milk is completely used for feeding the offspring. Rapid weight gain in young animals is considered a priority. The size of the carcass and the timing of slaughtering livestock depend on this. Therefore, females cannot be milked. If you choose the right breed of sheep, follow the recommendations for milking, you get a drink that contains substances useful for the human body. And gourmet cheeses based on the product are appreciated by gourmets all over the world.