Suffolk sheep: breed description and characteristics, content features

Sheep breeding is considered one of the most developed areas of animal husbandry in the world. Farmers of a particular area tend to adapt and breed sheep depending on environmental conditions and climate. Because of this, there is now such a variety of species of these animals. The Suffolk sheep breed, known for its productivity, endurance, unpretentiousness, has become widespread throughout the world.

History of Appearance

The breeding of these animals began in the distant XVIII 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 were able to acquire these sheep only at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Suffolks were bred by crossing two of the strongest British sheep at that time, from which they inherited qualities significant for sheep breeding:

1. Horned black-faced Norfolk. It is famous for its endurance in adverse conditions, rapid adaptation to climate and environmental changes. Easily leads a normal life even in frost or constant winds thanks to a muscular body and good immunity.
2. Southdown. A breed known for its abundance of wool, delicious soft meat.

Important! Thanks to the qualities acquired from the ancestors, as well as the careful selection of individuals for crossing, the Suffolk breed has become one of the most valuable breeds in the world.

Characteristics and appearance of the breed

Outwardly, the Suffolk breed is strongly distinguished by its color from the rest: the head and legs of the animal have a rich black color, and the body is bronze yellow or white.The legs are massive, with a straight structure, without fleece, so Suffolk sheep exist equally well both in a humid climate and in severe droughts, and the birth rate does not change from this. The tail is small, without fat deposits, the back is straight, the sacrum is compacted. Medium sized head, no horns.

Suffolki are tall, well muscled:

1. Adult ram reaches 80 cm in length, weighs from 100 to 150 kg.
2. Females - no taller than 75 cm, weigh 80-140 kg.
3. Lambs are born with a weight of 4-7 kg, twins - 4-5 kg, and triplets - from 3 to 4 kg, and after 3 months with a balanced, plentiful diet, the lambs reach a weight of 40 kg.

The rapid growth and weight gain of lambs is due to the increased fat content of mother's milk. At slaughter, the meat yield is not less than 50% by weight.Suffolks are characterized by good hereditary memory and fertility. Females produce offspring regularly every year, thanks to which intrabreed traits are preserved.

The most valued value among consumers is considered to be tasty, nutritious meat that:

• easily absorbed by the body, does not cause heaviness;
• does not have a specific smell characteristic of meat of other breeds;
• characterized by a tender, soft texture, not characteristic of lamb;
• saturated with fluorine, lecithin and other beneficial substances.

Suffolk semi-thin crimped fleece is known all over the world. Sheep are sheared twice a year. An adult animal gives 3-5 kg of wool, clean - not less than 60%. Fiber diameter 30-34 microns, length 7-10 cm.

Important! Suffolk wool is soft, thin, retains heat well. Considered the most durable in the world.

Pros and cons

Sheep of this breed are adapted to a humid, arid or temperate climate, they retain their birth rate well under adverse external conditions. Other breed traits:

• parasite resistant;
• high libido;
• lambs grow fast, gain weight, ready for market from 5-6 months;
• Gives tender, nutritious, odorless meat loaded with nutrients;
• do not require special care, nutrition, unpretentious.

When crossed with other breeds, they increase the birth rate, improve the taste of meat of other breeds. The disadvantages include the high cost of real Suffolk lambs, frequent multi- and large-fruited, which is complicated by heavy lambing. These animals are rare in Russia, they are very difficult to acquire.

How to keep and care for animals

The Suffolk breed is unpretentious, does not require special care. Animals are kept on small fenced pastures, in a paddock or stall. It is not recommended to drive herds over long distances (more than 3-4 km) at high speed, this often causes diseases of the limbs.

In summer, pasture-stall is considered a common way of keeping, when animals are slowly transferred from stall to pasture. It is important to drive the sheep out to pasture no later than 6 am, so that they spend the hot part of the day near the reservoir and by this time they are already quite full.

Features of winter maintenance:

1. Sheep and rams are kept inside sheds or shepherds, which are well insulated, especially in the presence of lambs.
2. Despite the fact that animals maintain their body temperature on their own, it is recommended to ensure that it is warm inside - at least 3-5 ^o.
3. Sheds are best made of wood with clay floors.
4. The room should be dry, bright, without drafts.

Important! Suffolks do not require special care, they endure any, even extreme conditions without discomfort.

What to feed the breed

Suffolks can gain weight even when they are grazing. They do not require special types of feed, but experts recommend feeding them with combined feeds, grain mixtures rich in trace elements, minerals and vitamins. In warm weather, feeding with fresh grass in meadows and pastures is desirable. 80% of the diet, according to the rules, is grass. In cold weather, animals are given bran, hay, haylage, straw. Connoisseurs note that suffolks love steamed straw with root crops.Also in the diet should be present chalk, bone meal, s alt. S alt licks allowed.

Important! The volume is calculated individually for each sheep.

Reproduction

Suffolks are productive, when crossed with other breeds they give crosses with improved meat qualities. Intra-breed characteristics remain unchanged. The females give birth every year. For mating, the strongest, most well-fed rams, as well as he althy sexually mature sheep, are selected. A six-month-old sheep is considered sexually mature. The case falls on August-October. Pregnancy lasts 5 months.

Fertilization occurs naturally: males are launched to females for insemination during the day, and separated at night, or rams constantly stay nearby to happen at any time. During cervical fertilization, the seminal fluid of a sheep is injected into the uterine cavity using a special catheter syringe.

Diseases and their prevention

Pets do not require regular vaccinations and treatment for diseases such as foot rot or parasitic infections. No internal or external infections are able to get along on these sheep due to the peculiarity of the body constitution.

Important! Endoparasite prophylaxis is recommended to avoid intense croupy nasal discharge.

Breeding area

Now the British breed the breed in Suffolk, Cambridge, Essex. Sheep are loved by farmers around the world, they are bred by residents of Europe, South and North America, and New Zealand. Repeatedly the breed was imported and used for crossing with other breeds in the CIS countries. There is increased activity in the breeding of the species by farmers in Russia, but so far there are few sheep of this breed.

Farmers who decide to go into sheep breeding are definitely recommended breeding the Suffolk breed. For the third century this breed has been considered a leader in important qualities for sheep breeding: it gives high-quality meat, a lot of wool, is able to preserve hereditary traits, is prolific, and is unpretentious in care.

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