Sheep farming is considered one of the most developed livestock sectors in the world. Farmers in a particular area tend to adapt and breed sheep depending on environmental conditions and climate. Thanks to this, there is now such a variety of species of these animals. The Suffolk sheep breed, known for its productivity, endurance, and unpretentiousness, has become widespread throughout the world.
History of appearance
The breeding of these animals began in the distant 18th century in England in the county of Suffolk.Since 1810, the breed has been officially recognized in its homeland. By the end of the 19th century, her tribal map was developed. Russia and other countries gained the opportunity to purchase these sheep only at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Suffolks were bred by crossing the two strongest species of British sheep at that time, from which they inherited qualities significant for sheep breeding:
- Horned black-faced Norfolk. It is famous for its endurance in adverse conditions, rapid adaptation to climate and environmental changes. It easily leads a normal lifestyle even in the cold or constant winds thanks to its muscular body and good immunity.
- Southdown. A breed known for its abundance of wool and delicious soft meat.
Important! Thanks to the qualities acquired from their ancestors, as well as the careful selection of individuals for crossing, the Suffolk breed has become one of the most valuable in the whole world.
Characteristics and appearance of the breed
Externally, the Suffolk breed stands out in color from the rest: the head and legs of the animal are rich black, and the body is bronze yellow or white. The legs are massive, with a straight structure, without fleece, so Suffolk sheep survive equally well in both humid climates and severe droughts, and the birth rate does not change from this. The tail is small in size, without fat deposits, the back is straightened, the rump is compacted. The head is medium size, there are no horns.
Suffolks are tall and have good muscles:
- An adult ram reaches 80 cm in length and weighs from 100 to 150 kg.
- Females are no higher than 75 cm, weigh 80-140 kg.
- Lambs are born weighing 4-7 kg, twins - 4-5 kg, and triplets - from 3 to 4 kg, and after 3 months, with a balanced, plentiful diet, lambs reach a weight of 40 kg.
The rapid growth and weight gain of lambs is explained by the increased fat content of mother's milk. At slaughter, the meat yield is not less than 50% of the weight. Suffolks are characterized by good hereditary memory and fertility. Females give birth regularly every year, thanks to which intrabreed characteristics are preserved.
The most valuable asset among consumers is considered to be tasty, nutritious meat, which:
- easily absorbed by the body, does not cause heaviness;
- does not have a specific odor characteristic of meat of other breeds;
- has a delicate, soft structure, not typical for lamb;
- saturated with fluorine, lecithin, and other beneficial substances.
The semi-fine, crimped Suffolk fleece is known throughout the world. Sheep are sheared twice a year. An adult animal produces 3-5 kg of wool, clean - at least 60%. Fiber with a diameter of 30-34 microns, length 7-10 cm.
Advantages and disadvantages
Rams of this breed are adapted to humid, arid or temperate climates and maintain fertility well under unfavorable external conditions. Other advantages of the breed:
- resistant to parasites;
- have a high libido;
- lambs grow quickly, gain weight, and are ready for market at 5-6 months;
- produce tender, nutritious, odorless meat, rich in nutrients;
- do not require special care, nutrition, and are unpretentious.
When crossed with other breeds, they increase the birth rate and improve the taste of meat from other breeds. Disadvantages include the high cost of real Suffolk lambs, frequent multiple and large fetuses, which is complicated by difficult lambing. These animals are rarely found in Russia and are very difficult to acquire.
How to properly keep and care for animals
The Suffolk breed is unpretentious and does not require special care. Animals are kept in small fenced pastures, pens or stalls. It is not recommended to drive herds over long distances (more than 3-4 km) at high speed, as this often causes limb diseases.
In summer, a common method of housing is considered to be pasture-stall housing, when animals are slowly transferred from the stall to the pasture. It is important to turn the sheep out to pasture no later than 6 am, so that they spend the hot part of the day near the pond and by this time they are already sufficiently well-fed.
Features of winter maintenance:
- Sheep and rams are kept inside a shed or shepherd, which is well insulated, especially if there are lambs.
- Despite the fact that animals independently maintain body temperature, it is recommended to ensure that the room is warm - at least 3-5 O.
- It is better to make sheds from wood, with a clay floor.
- The room should be dry, bright, without drafts.
Important! Suffolk dogs do not require special care and can tolerate any, even extreme, conditions without discomfort.
What to feed the breed
Suffolk dogs can gain weight even when feeding on pasture. They do not require special types of feed, but experts recommend feeding them with combined feeds, grain mixtures rich in microelements, minerals and vitamins. In warm weather, it is advisable to feed fresh grass in meadows and pastures. 80% of the diet, according to the rules, is grass. In cold weather, animals are given bran, hay, haylage, and straw. Experts note that Suffolks love steamed straw with root vegetables. The diet should also include chalk, bone meal, and salt. Salt licks are allowed.
Important! The volume is calculated individually for each sheep.
Reproduction
Suffolks are productive, and when crossed with other breeds they produce crosses with improved meat qualities. Intrabreed characteristics remain unchanged. Females give birth every year. For mating, the strongest, well-fed rams, as well as healthy sexually mature sheep, are selected. A six-month-old sheep is considered sexually mature. Mating occurs in August-October. Pregnancy lasts 5 months.
Fertilization occurs naturally: males are released to females for insemination during the day, and separated at night, or the rams remain constantly nearby so that it can happen at any time. During cervical insemination, the seminal fluid of a sheep is injected into the uterine cavity using a special syringe-catheter.
Diseases and prevention from them
Animals do not require regular vaccinations or treatment for diseases such as foot rot or parasitic infections. No internal or external infections can survive on these sheep due to the peculiarities of their body constitution.
Important! Endoparasite prophylaxis is recommended to avoid intense croupous nasal discharge.
Breeding area
Now the British are breeding the breed in Suffolk, Cambridge, and Essex. Sheep are loved by farmers around the world; they are bred by residents of Europe, South and North America, and New Zealand. The breed was repeatedly imported and used for crossing with other breeds in the CIS countries. There is increased activity in breeding the species by Russian farmers, but so far there are few sheep of this breed.
Farmers who decide to start sheep farming are definitely recommended to breed the Suffolk breed.For the third century now, this breed has been considered a leader in terms of qualities important for sheep breeding: it produces high-quality meat, a lot of wool, is able to retain hereditary characteristics, is prolific, and is easy to care for.
