Texel sheep breed: description and characteristics, conditions of detention and care

For centuries, people have raised sheep for their wool and meat. These animals are unpretentious to nutrition and maintenance, grow and multiply rapidly. By selecting the best representatives of the herd, a person brought out new breeds of animals with improved characteristics. For example, Texel sheep give not only a lot of meat, but also high-quality wool of a surprisingly beautiful shade.

History of Breeding

The texel breed originates from the Roman Empire. The progenitors of the breed supplied meat and wool to Roman legionnaires. The first information about the modern breed dates back to the 19th century.Texel sheep got their name from the Dutch island of Texel, from which they came to Britain. The long-term selection work of the British made it possible to obtain individuals with tender lean meat and high-quality wool. Lincoln, Kent, Leicester, Wendsleydale, crossing these breeds with the Dutch founder made it possible to obtain modern texels - large animals with a beautiful fleece.

Details about the breed

Texel sheep are large animals with thick wool. There are 3 breed types:

• Dutch - the largest individuals;
• English - distinguished by great grace, long legs, less body weight;
• French - fast growing lambs.

Animals differ in proportional addition, the back is straight, the legs are stable, strong. Rams are 80-85 centimeters tall, sheep - 70-75 centimeters. The weight of rams reaches 130-140 kilograms, sheep - 70-80 kilograms. Lambs are born with a weight of 5-8 kilograms.

Texel sheep characteristics:

1. Head with short, widely spaced ears.
2. Animals are polled, rams sometimes have the beginnings of horns.
3. Short and thin tail.
4. The forehead and head between the ears are free from wool.
5. Wool can be white, white-blue, red-coffee with a golden sheen.
6. The head is white with a dark nose, there may be dark spots around the ears or eyes.

Sheep of this breed do not get bored alone, have a calm disposition.

Pros and cons of texel sheep

During the existence of the breed (about 200 years), its most valuable qualities have been developed, the shortcomings have become less significant.

Pros and conshigh-quality lean meat that does not have a characteristic odor;unpretentiousness, endurance of animals and the ability to quickly adapt to environmental conditions;sheep are calm, good-natured, independent;wool of beautiful shades, a large amount of grease, which allows it not to lose quality;when crossing, endow the offspring with tribal characteristics.difficulties in childbirth in ewes, the presence of a veterinarian is mandatory;the appearance of lambs once a year;lambs grow quickly, but after 3 months they lose a lot of weight.

There are much more advantages than disadvantages, this is the reason for the popularity of the breed among livestock breeders.

Conditions and care

Animals in the summer are pastured, in the winter they are kept in stalls. When choosing a pasture, it is necessary to ensure that there are no poisonous herbs on it (celandine, aconite, henbane). Walking areas are fenced off.The fences are made strong and high enough so that the animals do not jump over and break the fence. Reservoirs from which animals drink must be flowing. Animals do not graze on wet grass (dew, hoarfrost, after rain) - due to the peculiarities of digestion, intestinal bloating occurs.

In winter it should be light in the sheepfold, the temperature for texels is maintained at +10 °С. The floors are covered with a thick layer of straw. Feeders are built for several sheep, at a height of 50 centimeters from the floor. Sheep drink a lot, there should be free access to water. Drink texels 8-10 liters per day. Near the feeders have containers with chalk and s alt. Each animal needs 2 square meters of space. Sheep, pregnant ewes and lambs are kept separately from the main livestock.

Animals are sheared in the summer, at a temperature of + 20-23 ° C, the wool is cut evenly, at the base. Scratches and accidental cuts are disinfected.

Diet

In the summer, sheep are pastured, eating green grass, getting all the necessary substances from it. In winter, they feed animals with hay, steamed grain or cereals, add steamed corn, a mash of vegetables. You need 3 feedings a day. Ewes are kept separately from the livestock, in a room with a temperature of +13-15 °С

Important: vegetables must be washed, not rotten. If necessary, add vitamin complexes, fish oil.

Reproduction

Animals reach sexual maturity at 9-10 months. Sheep and ewes are brought together at the age of one and a half years. The mating takes place in September-January. Pregnancy in sheep lasts 5 months. There are 1-3 lambs in a litter, depending on the age of the ewe. A veterinarian must be present at the birth. Since Texel lambs have a large head, there are often complications during childbirth. The lambs immediately stand on their legs, in a day they are ready to follow their mother. Babies gain weight well, but after 3 months of age they begin to lose it.

Diseases, their prevention

Texel sheep are hardy and disease resistant. Keeping in a warm sheepfold prevents the development of pneumonia. Proper nutrition will prevent bloating. Animals must be anthelmintic 3 times a year. Sheep are hoofed and trimmed at least 2 times a year, before going out to pasture, at the end of the stall period, and then, as needed.

If a sheep has lost its appetite, become lethargic, or vice versa, is too excited, jumpy, has inflamed eyes, wear and tear, a fever, diarrhea, it is necessary to separate it from the rest of the livestock and call a veterinarian.

To avoid bradzot, anthrax, brucellosis and many other dangerous diseases, the livestock is vaccinated. The list and order of introduction of vaccines, as well as marks on livestock vaccinations, are stored in the veterinary service of the district.

Prospects for breeding

The high quality of meat and wool, the impressive size of sheep and rams, their endurance and calm disposition allow us to talk about the prospects of the breed in Russia. So far, purebred sheep of the Texel breed are almost never found in our farmsteads. For breeding, it is better to bring them from Europe. Importing animals with all the necessary documents is not cheap.

Approximate cost and where to buy

Texel sheep can be imported to Russia from Europe or bought at various agricultural fairs. Tekseley is bred by the Alexandrovsky breeding farm (in the Voronezh region), Pushkinsky Meat Yard (in the Moscow region). Information about breeders can be found on the official websites of breeding farms or in social networks. The cost of bright and rams - from 20,000 rubles. Lambs can be found cheaper.

There are more and more farms in Russia, livestock breeding is developing, highly productive breeds are appearing.The Texel breed has not lost its prospects over the long years of its existence, which is why sheep farmers bring it today, and the number of livestock continues to grow, which means that the price per head is reduced, and it becomes possible to purchase good animals for their own farmstead not too expensive.

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