Characteristics of sheep of the Volgograd breed, pros and cons and breeding
The Volgograd sheep breed is characterized by a number of features. These animals belong to the meat and wool direction and are highly productive. For their cultivation to be successful, it is necessary to provide the animals with complete and high-quality care. It should include proper nutrition, prevention of disease development and pest attacks. Creation of a suitable microclimate in the sheepfold is of no small importance.
The appearance and characteristics of the Volgograd breed
This is a fine-wool breed of sheep, which was obtained through complex crossbreeding. Breeding work was carried out at the "Romashkovsky" state farm in the Volgograd region from 1932 to 1978. As a basis, fat-tailed queens with coarse hair were used. They were crossed with New Caucasian rams and prekos. The resulting hybrids were combined with Caucasian and Grozny breeds. Representatives of the next generations were raised "in themselves", choosing the most successful individuals.
The authors were faced with the task of creating a breed of meat and wool sheep. At the same time, they did not discard the dairy characteristics.
As a result of breeding work, a fine-wool breed was obtained, which belongs to the meat-wool direction of productivity. Representatives of this breed are well developed. They are distinguished by their large size, pronounced meaty forms and proportional physique.
Sheep are characterized by a compact body with a length of 70-75 centimeters. They have strong legs with well executed thighs. At the withers, the height of the animals reaches 68-70 centimeters. The head is large. Also, animals are characterized by a massive neck. The back is straight and the withers and loins wide.
Representatives of this breed perfectly combine meat and wool performance. Sheep weigh 110-125 kilograms, sheep - 58-65. Representatives of this breed are considered early maturing. Lamb at 7 months already weigh 20-25 kilograms. The live weight of lambs for chopping is 30-35 kilograms.
The queens are characterized by a fairly high fertility. This figure reaches 130-160%. Milk production in queens with 1 lamb is 95-105 kilograms. If there are two lambs, this parameter is 145-150 kilograms. Sheep are distinguished by a rather thick wool, which is characterized by a noticeable uniform crimp and a white tint.Fleece has a staple structure and medium density. The outer staple has a predominantly small-square shape.
The length of the coat in females is 8-9 centimeters, in males - 9.5-10.5. Grease is distinguished by light shades - mostly cream. On average, the shearing of wool from males is 13-15 kilograms, from females - 5.5-6.
Representatives of this breed are grown in the Volga region, in the Urals, in central Russia. The best breeding herd is located in the Volgograd region. Since the animals successfully combine meat and wool characteristics, the number of livestock is increasing all the time. Today it includes 940 thousand heads. Moreover, 98% of the herd is purebred.
Main positive and negative aspects
Subtleties of maintenance and care
It is recommended to keep animals in a warm barn. This should be done at a temperature of at least +8 degrees. It is important to keep the floor dry and warm. It is advisable to make it out of wood. Sheep can hardly tolerate high humidity and drafts, therefore it is important to ensure that the stable is dry and warm.
Sheep can spend a lot of time in pastures. They are able to adapt to cold weather and even get food under the snow. However, in rainy weather, it is not worth driving sheep to pasture. Wet food can provoke digestive disturbances.
Nutrition
Feeding the animals is easy. They can eat different types of grass, leaves, dry stems. At the same time, sheep must spend most of their time on pastures. In spring and summer, in addition to pasture, it is required to feed pets with minerals. In the fall, the grass becomes less nutritious. Therefore, it is worth introducing root crops, cereals, peas, bran into the diet of animals.
In the winter season, silage and compound feed are used as the basis of nutrition. The animals can eat hay throughout the year. It is important to ensure that the sheep drink a lot. Place for grazing should be located near a watering hole.
Breeding rules
To get offspring, 1 lamb is enough for 10-15 queens. Animals reach sexual maturity at 5-7 months. At the same time, it is worth allowing sheep to breed no earlier than 1 year. The mating is performed during the hunt of females. It lasts 1-2 days. In the absence of coverage, the next hunt begins after 2.5-3 weeks.
Sheep gestation period is approximately 5 months. It is important to ensure that during this period the animals are not afraid of anything. Lambs are most often born in late winter or early spring. This sometimes happens in the summer as well.
Diseases and prevention
In summer, sheep often face attacks from blood-sucking insects. They not only use animals as a food source, but they also lay eggs in the affected areas. To prevent disease and alleviate the living conditions of sheep, you need to inspect. When wounds appear, they should be cleaned and disinfected.
The Volgograd breed of sheep is very popular with farmers. In order to be successful in raising animals, it is recommended that you provide them with proper care.
