Description and characteristics of the Kalmyk sheep breed, maintenance rules

For hundreds of years, the Kalmyk breed of fat-tailed sheep has occupied an honorable place in the list of the most productive animals. High-quality cheeses are produced from the milk of fat beauties, and the tender meat and tail fat of lamb have long been recognized by lovers of delicious food. Thanks to its rare unpretentiousness, even a beginner can keep pets.

History of the breed

The history of the appearance of Kalmyk sheep in Russia dates back to the 17th century. These years were marked by the exodus of nomads from the territories of western China and Mongolia.Under the leadership of Khan Kho-Orlyuk, the Kalmyks moved to the vast expanses of Russia.

Nomadic peoples have long been engaged in raising livestock. Thanks to the spartan conditions of winter housing, free access to the best pastures and constant movement, the animals had endurance and strong immunity.

Despite the political upheavals in the country's history, the peoples lived peacefully on the same territory. Kalmykia rightfully occupied first place in the livestock industry. However, after the end of the Second World War, Kalmyk autonomy was disbanded, and people were resettled to the lands of the Astrakhan region and Kazakhstan.

The new neighbors appreciated the productive qualities of the Kalmyk sheep, so they began to actively crossbreed their curly-haired pets with the arriving animals. As a result of simple manipulations, 2 more unique breeds of fat-tailed sheep were born - Edilbaevskaya and Gissarskaya.

Main characteristics and description of the Kalmyk sheep

Knowing the main characteristics and description of the Kalmyk sheep, it is difficult to confuse the pet with representatives of other breeds. Sheep are endowed with pronounced distinctive features:

1. Pets have truly grenadier growth. The height of rams often exceeds 80 cm. Females are somewhat smaller.
2. The weight of the animals is quite consistent with their height. The weight of an adult ram ranges from 100 to 145 kg. The weight of the ewe depends on the time of year and ranges between 55-90 kg. Young pets gain weight gradually. Before reaching the age of 1.5 years, sheep gain weight equal to 45-50 kg.
3. Graceful, dry legs confidently hold the voluminous body of the lamb.This combination gives the animal an unusual, graceful appearance. The limbs are placed correctly, without flaws. The pet's hind legs are protected by a layer of fat.
4. The powerful, strong body of the lamb resembles a perfect cylinder. Well-developed muscles and a straight, straight back of the animal are complemented by a wide sacrum. The chest is deep.
5. The head of the curly-haired handsome man is small and neat. The pet's profile is decorated with a barely noticeable hump. The convex cheeks and long, drooping ears give the animal a special charm.
6. Most pets are polled, only 15% of animals have small horns.
7. Kalmyk sheep are known for having thick, coarse wool. Due to its coarse structure, the wool of Kalmyk sheep is valued less than products obtained from pets of other breeds. From one Kalmyk breed sheep, no more than 5% of high-quality raw materials are obtained. Grade 2 wool accounts for 25% of the total mass. The remaining 70% of wool belongs to category 3.
8. The most common sheep are red and golden beige in color. In some areas, white lambs predominate, with black markings on the head and legs. Individuals of pure white color are most valued.
9. The pet's tail resembles an elastic pillow. Here is the fat sac, generously filled with fat. The dimensions of the natural container are 14-25 cm in height and 12-21 cm in width. The size of the fat tail directly depends on the degree of fatness of the handsome man. Depending on the placement of the fat sac on the sheep’s body, farmers distinguish between several types of fat tails: low, medium and high. In Kalmyk lambs, fat is located not only in the tail area. The nutritional layer covers the hind limbs of the animal, starting from the lumbar area and ending with the pet’s lower hocks.The total weight of fat tail fat of each sheep is 15-17 kg. To a greater extent, the stock is fattened by lambs. For breeding producers, the figures are a little more modest. Females produce more internal lard.

Advantages and disadvantages

The choice of breed for breeding depends on the personal preferences of the farmer and the presence of useful qualities in the animal. Considering the pros and cons of the breed, you can count on the profitability of the farm.

Positive traits:

1. Strong immunity reliably protects pets from numerous ailments.
2. Endurance. Sheep inherited this quality from their legendary ancestors.
3. High rates of weight gain in pets. The weight of an adult ram easily exceeds the 100 kg bar. Lambs are distinguished by their rich weight and size from birth. The weight of a newborn lamb is 5 kg.
4. Productivity. Sheep serve as a reliable supplier of lard, meat, milk and wool. Fat tail fat obtained from Kalmyk sheep is a champion in taste and beneficial properties. The product is more tender than internal lard and melts at a temperature of 40 degrees.
5. Environmental friendliness. Walking in free grazing, pets disperse throughout the territory. In search of food, sheep eat only the top leaves of plants. Thus, the pasture is not trampled and the vegetation remains unharmed.

Flaws:

1. Mediocre quality of pet fur.
2. Significant deterioration in the taste and quality of meat as sheep grow older.

Requirements for maintenance and care

A typical farm building is suitable for keeping pets. The shed is insulated, not forgetting about the system of artificial or natural ventilation. In the cold season, the optimal temperature in the room is from +7 to +10 degrees.Separate compartments are set up for pregnant and recently given birth ewes. Here the air temperature is maintained in the range from +17 to +20 degrees. Sheep do well in a dry, draft-free environment.

Pets are unpretentious, so the requirements for maintenance and care include the following procedures:

1. Annual inspection.
2. Scheduled vaccinations.
3. Hoof trimming (2 times a year).
4. Swimming (2-3 times during the warm season).
5. Haircut (2 times, spring and autumn).

How and what to feed?

In the summer, animals make do with pasture. A large mass of juicy grass provides the lambs with the necessary substances.

In winter, the daily diet of pets consists of 2 kg of aromatic hay, 700 g of special canned food and 1 kg of juicy, nutritious food.

Reproduction

Experienced livestock breeders conduct mating in the last weeks of autumn. The eggs reach maturity at 8-10 months and from that moment are ready for reproduction. The interval between periods of estrus is 15-16 days. The duration of the favorable period for mating is 48 hours. A sheep bears its offspring for 145 days. Usually the female brings 2-3 babies annually. In most cases, lambing occurs without complications. The newborn lamb is cleaned of traces of mucus, but is not separated from its mother.

Within a couple of hours after birth, the baby begins to walk confidently. After 2 days, the lamb joins the herd. For 6 weeks, the cub feeds only on mother's milk. During this period, the pet gains 500 g of weight every day. After 1.5 months, the lamb is accustomed to adult food.

The time of active lactation lasts 4 months. Sheep are reluctant to be milked. Animals try to retain milk, so during the procedure the lambs are allowed closer to the mother.The fat content of evening milk is 10%, morning milk – 9.5%.

Breeding area

Sheep farms operate successfully in the Republic of Kalmykia and Kazakhstan. Sometimes fat-tailed sheep can be seen on farms in the North Caucasus.

Diseases and methods of their treatment

In rare cases, Kalmyk sheep are affected by:

1. Cystitis. The disease begins with an infectious lesion of the udder. As a rule, the disease leads to inflammation of the bladder. The sick animal is switched to light food. Antibiotic injections and drinking plenty of fluids will help you cope with the disease.
2. Stomatitis. The sheep suffers from inflammation of the mouth. The affected areas are treated with hydrogen peroxide. Feed is given to the sheep in a liquid or slimy consistency.
3. Tympanic rumen. The disease is expressed in severe swelling of the pet's gastrointestinal tract. Stopping the rumen can lead to the death of the sheep. The drug “Tympanol” is administered to the animal using a rubber tube.