Stavropol breed of sheep: description and characteristics, diet and breeding

Meat and wool is one of the leaders in sheep breeding. This group includes many new and old breeds with valuable characteristics. Consider the description of the Stavropol breed of sheep, 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 keep them, about the features of breeding at home.

History of Appearance

The breed of Stavropol sheep was bred in 1915. New Caucasian merinos were taken as the basis. Animals of the new breed have inherited a coat of uniform structure and adaptability to adverse living conditions.Then the individuals obtained from such crossing happened with representatives of the American rambouillet breed. Animals have improved exterior and coat, increased weight.

Description and characteristics of the Stavropol breed of sheep

Stavropol sheep have a strong constitution, harmonious constitution. Females are polled, males with horns. Animals are large, the weight of rams is 100-110 kg, females - 50-60 kg. The wool is delicate, soft, strong and resilient. 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. Sheared wool from 1 animal: 14-19 kg from sheep and 6-8 kg from females, percentage yield - 50-55%.

The fecundity of Stavropol sheep is 120-135%.

Main pros and cons

Dignity of Stavropol sheep:

• large size and body weight of animals;
• dry climate adaptability;
• high wool productivity;
• thick, fine and soft coat.

Breed faults:

• breeding animals are scarce;
• non-purebred sheep do not inherit valuable qualities.

The Stavropol breed is bred in the Volga region, in 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. A reservoir should be located near 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 room in which there are no drafts.For 10 females with small lambs, you need about 40 square meters. m. square.

Despite the cold resistance of the breed, the temperature in the sheepfold should not fall below 10 ˚С. The room should be ventilated every day so that the animals breathe fresh air.

In winter, the flock should be let out for a walk, despite the frost. Thick wool reliably protects them from hypothermia. Exercise is beneficial for the physical and mental he alth of animals. Stavropol sheep need to be sheared 2 times a year. First, they are sheared before being sent to pasture, then in the fall, but before the frosts come. It is convenient to remove wool with a special machine.

Meeting plan

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, silage. Sheep are given root crops and vegetables, vitamin supplements, mineral premixes.

Lambs bred for meat are fattened with grain mashes with root crops and cake. You can feed with compound feed. Sheep are quickly fattened on mixed fodder, the cost of production is low. You can score them after reaching the age of six months.

Animal breeding

To obtain purebred Stavropol lambs, only purebred females and males are crossed. For mating, you can leave 10-20 females per 1 ram. Keep males separate from females so that there is no uncontrolled reproduction. They are released into the herd to the sheep only for the mating period.

There are 1-2 cubs in a litter, but sheep are able to bring more lambs. The survival rate is almost 100% due to the fact that the lambs are born strong and he althy.Females of the Stavropol breed take their duties responsibly, feed and raise lambs on their own 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 passes without complications. Milk from females is enough to feed 2-3 cubs. From each sheep during the feeding period, you can get 150 liters of milk. 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, walk a little, hoof pathologies spread - they rot, a 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 gets dirty, clean and disinfect feeders and equipment.

To ventilate the sheepfold, to warm it up in severe frosts in winter. Eliminate drafts - the cause of colds. Animals that do not move much should have their hooves trimmed and trimmed.

Stavropol breed of sheep is intended for growing and breeding for meat and wool. They are well adapted to life in dry climates, but they also tolerate cold, so they can be kept in the household in any Russian region. The wool of the Stavropol sheep is soft, and materials of excellent quality are made from it.

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