Dwarf sheep breeds have long been domesticated and are raised mainly by small farmers. These animals eat less than their closest relatives, although their productivity is much lower. Raising mini-sheep is beneficial for summer residents and owners of country houses. Such animals do not require any special care, take up little space, and also play the role of companions or pets. Dwarfs can be raised for their meat and wool.
Origin of dwarf sheep
Dwarf sheep are similar to "normal" animals, only they are slightly smaller.The height at the withers, even in adulthood, reaches only 40-50, maximum 60 centimeters. And such animals weigh no more than 10-20-37 kilograms. Their origin is quite natural. Most small sheep kept for decorative purposes in petting zoos or private farms are creations of nature.
These are not dwarfs suffering from some kind of disease, but simply small animals. Their appearance was influenced by their habitat, nutrition, climate, and the need for camouflage and protection from enemies. Small sheep can be found on the French island of Ouessant or on the Shetland Islands in West and Central Africa.
European dwarf animals grew up in difficult climatic conditions, where it was their small stature that helped them protect themselves from the cold on windswept plains. African dwarfs, on the contrary, are adapted to poor nutrition and a hot desert climate.
Mini sheep are bred for wool, meat and as pets. They are herd animals that enjoy company and eat mainly grass in the summer and hay in the winter. They grow up to three years. Then growth stops at around 50-60 cm at the withers. Life expectancy, under normal conditions and good nutrition, is about 15-20 years. Dwarfs are profitable to keep and breed, although purchasing a mini-breed will cost at least $200.
Popular breeds
The most popular dwarf sheep:
- Decorative Cameroonian. They are tan colored sheep with black spots on their bellies and legs and are native to Cameroon. Height at withers - up to 60 cm, weight - up to 37 kg. Rams have spiral-shaped horns growing to the sides, and females have polled horns. These fertile animals give birth to 2-3 babies at a time.Sheep have short wool. At home, they are bred primarily for meat.
- Ouessant (Ouessent). This breed is also called the Breton Dwarf. The animals come from the island of Ouessant, which is located in the Atlantic Ocean near the western coast of France. Harsh climatic conditions influenced the formation of this hardy breed. Height at withers - 40-49 cm, weight - 13-22 kg. The coat color is black, but can be chestnut, brown, gray, white. Rams have large, spiral-shaped horns on their heads. Raised for wool and meat.
- Dwarf Romneys from New Zealand. Animals of the dwarf breed were artificially bred by New Zealand livestock specialists based on Romney sheep from Great Britain. Dwarfs have an elongated body, short legs, white fur, and a long tail. Height at the withers - no more than 50 cm. Rams and sheep are polled. Dwarf Romnies are bred for their wool and meat.
- West African dwarfs (gnome, Nigerian dwarf). These are sheep up to 50-60 cm high and weighing up to 37 kg. They have long been domesticated and live in West and Central Africa. The coat is short, the color is white or piebald (white-brown, white-black). Rams have horns, females are polled. Raised for meat.
- Dwarf Cheviots. These are mini sheep native to the UK. The breed is meat and wool. The height at the withers of the animal is 50-60 cm, weight is 20-40 kg, coat color is dark or light.
- Shetland sheep. The animals are native to the Shetland Islands. Height - no more than 60 cm, weight - about 37 kg. The coat color is brown and light. Raised for meat and wool.
The smallest sheep
The Ouessant, or Breton dwarf, breed is considered the smallest. This animal is from the French island of Ouessant. Rams and sheep do not grow higher than 50 centimeters.Even in adulthood, sheep weigh like dogs - about 10 kg. The rams are a little larger.
Ouessans are raised for their wool and meat. The productivity of this breed is low. The animals have long hair, up to 12 cm, that can be cut in the spring. Black sheep are most often bred. Sometimes the coat of dwarfs can be reddish, brownish or white.
Animals are bred by farmers and lovers of exotic breeds in Germany, France and the UK. Dwarfs have a friendly character, they are excellent companions, and pets loved by children. By the end of the first year of life, sheep weigh about 20 kg, the slaughter yield of meat is approximately 50 percent.
Content Features
Dwarf sheep need to be grazed outdoors in the summer. Animals should eat green grass and be exposed to the sun. It is necessary to build a special room for the sheep, where they will rest at night, hide from the rain, and be kept all winter. You can give them your own corner in the barn. There should be 1-1.5 square meters per animal. m area.
Decorative mini breeds are not recommended to be kept in a residential building or apartment. These animals will climb on furniture, chew everything, and besides, it is unrealistic to train them to a tray. The best place for dwarfs is a stable, barn, sheepfold and shed. In the room you need to put a manger for hay, feeders for vegetables and grain, and drinking bowls for water.
Dwarf sheep can be kept as live lawnmowers. They will trim all the grass on the lawn near the house. In summer, animals can be fed with tops, finely chopped vegetables from the garden and fruits from the garden.
For the winter, sheep need to prepare hay (up to 300 kg per individual). During the winter, animals must be kept indoors. They are fed 2-3 times a day. Vegetables are given in chopped form. Each day, one sheep eats 1-2 kg of hay, 0.5 kg of root vegetables, 100-250 g of grain (barley, oats, corn), 1-2 kg of silage. Give the dwarfs water in between feedings (2 times a day). One sheep is given 2-3 liters of water at a time.
In winter, animals are fed with premixes, bone meal, chalk, meal, cake, and be sure to buy pharmacy vitamins and minerals. The salt rock should be kept in the feeder all year round.
Breeding
For breeding, it is better to buy purebred animals from a breeding farm. Dwarfs reach sexual maturity at 6-8 months. True, the mating of animals takes place later. Sheep are covered at 1-1.5 years. The female's pregnancy lasts 5 months. She gives birth to 1-3 cubs (depending on the breed). Lambs must live under the ewe for up to 3 months and feed on her milk. Then the sheep are gradually transferred to hay and grass.
At 3 months of age, it is recommended to vaccinate dwarfs against the most dangerous diseases (foot-and-mouth disease, anthrax, smallpox, rabies).
