Features and characteristics of fine-wool sheep, TOP 6 breeds and wool yield
The breed of valuable, fine-wool sheep has long been widespread in all corners of the globe. Pets continuously provide their owners with valuable fiber and tasty dietary meat. Picky animals easily put up with any conditions of keeping and get used to an unfavorable climate. Breeding fine wool pets has traditionally been considered a lucrative business.
General characteristics of fine-wool sheep
A variety of sheep descended from ancestors - merino. The inhabitants of Italy and Asia Minor have successfully bred unpretentious pets for more than 1000 years, and in the middle of the 18th century, animals gained fame in other countries.
Today there are many breeds of fine-wool animals. Each of them has its own characteristics, but the basic properties of valuable animals remain unchanged. The main advantage of pets is the ability to easily adapt to any climatic conditions. Animals have a well-developed skeletal system.
All fine wool breeds have long, silky coats. Staple fibers have a wavy structure. Hair fineness is no more than 30 microns. The length of the strands does not exceed 10 cm. Animals secrete an impressive amount of grease. Lanolin is a part of this substance.
Productivity
Curly beauties are suppliers of soft and warm wool. The material is used to make clothes, insulation, pillows and blankets. Products from a webbing are especially appreciated. This name was given to the skins of lambs many years ago. Fine-wool and semi-fine-wool individuals give precious offspring. Animals are used as a source of meat and milk. Purebred pets are bred to develop new breeds and improve the qualities of native sheep.
Wool
The light wool of fine-wooled sheep is uniform and mainly consists of down. The maximum fineness of the valuable fiber is 25 microns. Pets are regularly sheared. The annual shearing of a fine-wool animal depends on the breed of the sheep. On average, rams give up to 16 kg of fleece, ewes - 7-8 kg.
Fertility
In order for sheep to be profitable, animals must actively reproduce. Young pets reach sexual maturity between 6 and 12 months. Pregnancy in animals lasts 146 days. If the representatives of the fine-wool breed of sheep are able to produce offspring several times a year, the gestation period is reduced. At one time, an ewe is able to bring from 1 to 3 lambs.
Varieties of rocks
Depending on the purpose, experts divide fine-wool animals into 3 categories: wool, meat-wool (semi-fine-wool) and meat individuals.
Soviet merino
The breed developed in the first half of the 20th century. The ancestors of the Soviet merino were the New Caucasian and Mazaevsky sheep, as well as representatives of the Altai and Askanian breeds. The peculiarity of Soviet merino animals is the division of animals into 2 varieties: wool and meat-wool individuals. Woolly pets are easily recognizable by 2 transverse folds on the skin located in the neck. On the same part of the body of meat and wool sheep, there is only one longitudinal long fold. Soviet merino are different:
- harmonious, proportional body composition;
- a powerful skeletal system;
- straight, massive limbs;
- impressive body weight (ram weighs 100-110 kg, ewes - 50-55 kg);
- thick, dense, snow-white hair that covers the entire body of the animal.
For a year, males bring up to 16 kg of fleece. 6-7 kg of wool is cut from ewes, quality class 64-70. After wet cleaning, the raw material yield is 40%.
Salsk sheep
Salsk sheep appeared as a result of the work of Soviet specialists. Scientists managed to cross valuable sheep of the Rambouillet breed with the New Caucasian and Mazayev rams. The animals are adapted to the warm climate of the Rostov region. Large animals have enviable endurance and strong immunity. Representatives of the Salsk breed are characterized by:
- powerful physique;
- wide, unfolded chest;
- elongated torso;
- the weight of a sexually mature ram reaches 90-95 kg, of a uterus - 50 kg;
- the presence of 2 deep transverse and one long longitudinal fold in the neck area.
Light strands of animal hair grow up to 7-8 cm. Annually 16 kg of raw materials are sheared from rams, from sheep - up to 7 kg. The staple fleece obtained from the queens is rated class 70. Males give hair level 64.
Stavropol
Stavropol wool sheep appeared in the 50s of the last century. To develop a new breed, local animals were crossed with Australian merino, rambouille rams and representatives of the New Caucasian sheep species. Stavropol pets are characterized by:
- Small growth. One-year-old rams hardly grow up to 62 cm, the size of the female is slightly more modest.
- Developed, strong skeletal system.
- Slightly sagging croup and wide lumbar region.
- The average weight of a ram reaches 95-100 kg, the female gains 45-50 kg.
- The strong neck is decorated with a pair of folds. The rams have horns.
Stavropol sheep are the record-holders in building up a large amount of soft wool. The length of the snow-white strands reaches 9-11 cm. The areas of the abdomen, head and limbs of the pet are especially overgrown. Every year, more than 15 kg of excellent wool is obtained from each ram, and up to 8 kg of raw materials are sheared from the ewes. After wet processing, the net wool yield is 43%. Thick, delicate fleece refers to the 64-70 grade of quality.
South Ural sheep
The homeland of the South Ural sheep is the Orenburg region. Experts have improved the local variety of coarse-haired animals with the help of Prekos rams, as well as pets of the Tsigai and Stavropol breeds.
Individuals are well adapted to harsh climatic conditions.Pets are able to get food even under a layer of snow. Meat and wool South Ural sheep differ:
- powerful physique;
- rounded body outlines;
- the presence of a "beard" in the neck;
- impressive weight (ram weight - 120 kg, sheep weight - 65 kg);
- good quality wool. The length of highly crimped strands reaches 9 cm. The quality mark is 60-64 degrees. After processing, the net yield of raw materials is 50%.
The breed is famous for its high quality meat. The product has a delicate, refined taste and is almost completely devoid of a specific smell. Animals are growing rapidly and are actively gaining weight.
Sheep prekos
Animals of the Prekos breed appeared thanks to French specialists. Breeders crossed fine-fleeced English merino sheep with rambouille sheep. Cattle breeders from the southern regions of the country fell in love with representatives of the meat and wool species of sheep, so they can be found in many farms. Thanks to the special structure of the hooves, pets move freely along the slopes of the hills.
For prekos are characteristic:
- even, straight back;
- well-developed muscles;
- massive skeleton;
- widely spaced limbs;
- the average weight in males is 82-100 kg, in females - 52-68 kg.
- the head and limbs are free of hair;
- the length of the snow-white strands is 10 cm, and the quality indicator is 60-64 degrees.
For 1 year, 8-9 kg of precious wool is sheared from a ram. The uterus gives 4-5 kg of raw materials. The net fiber yield after treatment (washing) is 50%. Precocks are fertile - in half of the births, females give birth to 2 lambs. The main advantages of the Prekos breed are the rapid maturation of young stock and the excellent quality of meat. By the age of 9 months, animals are gaining weight and are slaughtered.
Kazakh fine wool breed
As a result of crossing of local fat-tailed animals with pets of the Prekos breed, Australian merino and rambouille, the Kazakh fine-fleece sheep was born.
Representatives of the breed are characterized by:
- tightly knit, elongated body;
- impressive weight (male - 100-116 kg, female - 60-70 kg);
- the growth of a curly pet reaches 75 cm.
Hornless Kazakh sheep are reliable suppliers of silky light beige wool. Up to 12 kg of raw material is cut from each male, the females give wool no more than 5-6 kg. Hair fineness is 19.5-20.5 microns. The quality level of the strands is 64-70. Every year, the pet gives the owners 152 liters of fat milk (up to 9%).
Sheep spend on pasture all year round. Animals are distinguished by rare endurance, calmly endure the sweltering heat and frost. Pets are not picky about food. Even with a meager diet, curly-haired beauties easily gain weight.
Which one is better to choose
The choice of animal breed depends on the climatic conditions and the geographical location of the farm. It is recommended to pay attention to unpretentious and hardy crosses. Such animals are born from representatives of different breeds. From pure-bred individuals, merino are distinguished by high productivity.
Pets are known as a source of quality wool. One of the varieties of the merino breed came to Russian livestock breeders from Australia.
Maintenance and care
In winter, pets are kept in a common room. Any spacious, ventilated building is suitable for these purposes. Sheep with small lambs are isolated in separate stalls. The winter pet diet consists of hay, corn silage and root crops. Salt is always put in the feeders, and clean water is poured into the drinkers.
In warm weather, animals are sent to pastures. There should be several areas, because the pets eat the grass cover to the very roots. By alternating grazing areas, breeders allow vegetation to recover. At night, the animals are kept under a canopy. From time to time, pets are trimmed hooves, cut the regrown wool and treated against helminths.
