Each region of Russia breeds its own breeds of sheep. In Dagestan, local fine-wool sheep of the meat-and-wool variety are common. Let's consider the description and characteristics of the Dagestan ram, its purpose and productivity, advantages and disadvantages. As well as the rules of maintenance, care, nutrition, breeding. What diseases can Dagestan sheep suffer from and how to prevent them in the household.
History of the breed
The breed was bred in Dagestan; selection work was carried out from 1934 to 1950.Coarse-wool local sheep and Württemberg rams were used. Their offspring began to be bred “inside” and kept on free grazing in the mountainous regions of Dagestan. The breeders set a goal to obtain fine-fleece animals adapted to the mountain climate.
Description and productivity
Dagestan breed of meat-and-wool direction, fat tail. The constitution of the animals is strong, the body is large, proportional, the peculiarity is that the sacrum is low. The weight of sheep is 45-50 kg, rams are 75-80 kg. The wool is white in color and has a uniform structure. Its length in males is 8-10 cm, in females - 7-8 cm. Wool yield is 50-58%, volume in rams - 2.8-5 kg, in sheep - 1.5-2 kg.
Advantages and disadvantages
Despite its shortcomings, the breed is widespread in its homeland. Because Dagestan rams and sheep with thin fleece are adapted to grazing and effortlessly cover long distances on slopes and rocks.
Maintenance and care
Dagestan sheep and rams do not require special maintenance. In the summer they are kept on pasture, where they remain constantly. They have thick fur, so the animals do not suffer from temperature changes, cold or heat. In winter, animals should live indoors - warm, bright, spacious. It must maintain relatively constant temperature and humidity.
In addition to the closed premises, it is necessary to equip a walking area for sheep of the Dagestan breed. They are not afraid of the cold, so you can walk them even in frosty conditions.
Feeding sheep
The lamb feeds on milk until 2 weeks of age. Then it needs to be fed with bran and oats. By the age of one month, you can add grated vegetables, root vegetables, and soft, thin-leaved hay. At 3 months the lambs are weaned from their mother.
Adult animals are grazed on grass and given hay and silage in winter. They are fed vegetables, melons, and root vegetables. Of roughage, in addition to hay, they provide straw and haylage. They feed concentrates, various types of grain, bran, legumes, soybean and sunflower cake. You can raise Dagestan sheep on complete feed.
To fatten animals for meat, it is recommended to feed concentrates with a high protein content: peas, corn, barley. This promotes faster muscle growth.
When caring for the Dagestan breed, not only the diet is important, but also the frequency of feeding. During the stall period, feed 3 times a day, give nutritious food in the morning and afternoon. Give the animals something to drink after each feeding. Give grain after drinking, and before it - juicy food. In the summer, if the flock is grazed on grass-rich pastures, there is no need to provide additional feeding to the sheep. The health and growth of young animals and the productivity of adult animals depend on how nutrition is organized. If females feed well, the number of babies in the litter increases.
How do they get divorced?
Mating of Dagestan sheep and rams is scheduled for August-September.Females can be born at 1.5 years of age, although sexual maturity occurs at 6-8 months. By the time of mating, they should weigh the same as adult animals. For 1 ram there can be 3-4 dozen females.
Pregnancy lasts 5 months; during pregnancy, the female needs to be fed well and often. If there is a lack of nutrients, lambs are born weak, and the mother may abandon them. There are 1-2 lambs in a litter, rarely more, with a maximum of 5 young. To obtain purebred offspring of Dagestan sheep, they use Dagestan rams. Males are used for crossing with sheep of other breeds as improvers. Hybrids inherit the best qualities of both parents.
Diseases
They suffer from infectious diseases of small ruminants. They can spread quickly from one animal to another, especially when kept in crowded conditions. Infections lead to a sharp decrease in flock productivity and an increase in mortality. Treatment after diagnosis should be immediate. Antibiotics are used to fight infections. In addition to infections, sheep are harmed by helminths and external parasites. Lice and fleas not only bother animals, but also spoil the quality of wool and skin.
Prevention - keeping sheep and rams in a clean room, changing bedding, cleaning and disinfecting feeders, drinkers and equipment. Keeping new animals in quarantine. Keeping females with lambs up to 3 months of age separate from the rest of the flock.
The Dagestan breed produces meat and wool. Adapted to keeping in mountainous areas, but will also feel comfortable in regions with a similar climate. The breed can be kept in households to produce meat, milk, and shear soft, warm wool from sheep.
