The meat and wool sector is one of the leading in sheep breeding. This group includes many new and old breeds with valuable characteristics. Let's consider the description of the Stavropol sheep breed, its characteristics, pros and cons. It will be useful for livestock breeders to learn how to feed animals, how to care for them, how to maintain them, and the features of breeding at home.
History of appearance
The breed of Stavropol sheep was bred in 1915. New Caucasian merino sheep were taken as the basis.Animals of the new breed inherited wool of a uniform structure and adaptability to unfavorable living conditions. Then the individuals obtained from such crossing were matched with representatives of the American Ramboulier breed. The animals' appearance and coat have improved, and their weight has increased.
Description and characteristics of the Stavropol breed of sheep
Stavropol sheep have a strong constitution and harmonious build. Females are polled, males have horns. The animals are large, the weight of rams is 100-110 kg, females – 50-60 kg. The wool is delicate, soft, strong and elastic. Its length in males is 11 cm, in females – 8 cm. The structure of the coat is uniform along the entire length, the color is white. Wool clipped from 1 animal: 14-19 kg from rams and 6-8 kg from females, percentage yield - 50-55%.
The fertility of Stavropol sheep is 120-135%.
Main pros and cons
Advantages of Stavropol sheep:
- large size and body weight of animals;
- adaptability to dry climate;
- high wool productivity;
- thick, fine and soft wool.
Disadvantages of the breed:
- there are few breeding animals;
- sheep that are not purebred do not inherit valuable qualities.
The Stavropol breed is bred in the Volga region, the North Caucasus, in the Rostov, Orenburg and Voronezh regions.
Maintenance and care
From spring to autumn, animals can be grazed on pastures. For 1 female with lambs there should be 1 hectare if the animals remain in one place during the season. There should be a pond next to the pasture where the sheep will come to drink. Animals need at least 10 liters of water every day. In winter, the flock should be kept in a warm, draft-free room. For 10 females with small lambs you need about 40 square meters. m. area.
In winter, the flock should be allowed out for a walk, despite the frost. Thick fur reliably protects them from hypothermia. Exercise is beneficial for the physical and mental health of animals. Stavropol sheep need to be sheared twice a year. First they are sheared before being sent out to pasture, then in the fall, but before frost arrives. It is convenient to remove wool with a special machine.
Diet planning
Sheep of the Stavropol breed are unpretentious in food; they are fed with the usual food for this type of animal. In summer it is grass, in winter it is hay and silage. Sheep are given root vegetables and vegetables, vitamin supplements, and mineral premixes.
Lambs bred for meat are fed grain mash with root vegetables and cake. Can be fed with mixed feed. With mixed feed, sheep quickly fatten up, and the cost of production is low. They can be slaughtered after reaching six months of age.
Animal breeding
To obtain purebred Stavropol lambs, only purebred females and males are crossed. For mating, you can leave 10-20 females per ram. Males are kept separate from females to prevent uncontrolled reproduction. They are released into the herd with sheep only for the mating period.
There are 1-2 cubs in a litter, but ewes are capable of producing more lambs. The survival rate is almost 100% due to the fact that the lambs are born strong and healthy. Females of the Stavropol breed take their responsibilities responsibly, independently feed and raise lambs until weaning.
Newborn sheep do not require any special care. Stavropol females take good care of their offspring; lambs under their mothers do not get sick and grow quickly. Lambing proceeds without complications. Females have enough milk to feed 2-3 cubs. Each sheep can produce 150 liters of milk during the feeding period. It makes excellent quality cheese.
Diseases and prevention
To prevent infectious diseases in the flock, animals are vaccinated. Animals develop immunity against common diseases. The duration of the vaccine is about six months, so the procedure must be repeated regularly.
In addition to infectious diseases, Stavropol sheep can suffer from colds and digestive diseases. If they stand on wet and dirty straw, do not walk much, hoof pathologies spread - they rot, and hoof horn grows.
You can prevent or at least reduce the likelihood of infections and diseases by following simple rules for keeping farm animals. The room where the flock lives should always be clean, dry and warm. To do this, you need to change the litter as soon as it becomes dirty, clean and disinfect feeders and equipment.
Ventilate the sheepfold and heat it in winter during severe frosts. Eliminate drafts - the cause of colds. For animals that don't move much, have their hooves trimmed and trimmed.
The Stavropol breed of sheep is intended for raising and breeding for meat and wool. They are well adapted for life in dry climates, but can also tolerate cold, so they can be kept in households in any Russian region. The wool of Stavropol sheep is soft, and materials of excellent quality are made from it.
