Edilbay sheep
Edilbay sheep (Kazakh: Еділбай қойы, Edilbaı qoıy), also known as Edilbaev(skaya) sheep (Russian: Эдильбаевская овца), are a breed of domesticated sheep which originated in northern Kazakhstan. This breed belongs to the coarse-wooled fat-tailed type of sheep and the Kazakh group.[1][2] It originated in the 19th century as a cross between Kazakh fat-tailed sheep and Kalmyk/Astrakhan coarse-wooled sheep.[3] Today, it is found in Kazakhstan (2,419,000 head as of 1980)[3] and Russia (20,100 head as of 2003).[3]
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| Country of origin | Kazakhstan |
| Distribution | Kazakhstan, Russia |
| Type | Fat-tailed |
| Use | Meat, tail fat, (milk) |
| Traits | |
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| Wool color | Unicoloured black, tan or brown |
| Horn status | Both sexes are hornless |
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Characteristics
Edilbaevskaya sheep are very hardy, as they were breed to conform to nomadic life in the semi-deserts and deserts of Kazakhstan.[2] They are adapted to severe winter frosts and summer droughts,[note 1] can travel over long distances and thrive in poor feed conditions.[1]
Their yearly lambing rate is 110–120 lambs born for every 100 ewes.[1][2]
They are mainly bred for their meat and tail fat.[3][4] At four months old, carcass weight is around 22 kg (49 lb) and tail fat weight is around 3–4 kg (6.6–8.8 lb). Well-grown wethers can reach a rump weight of 40–45 kg (88–99 lb) and a tail fat weight of 12–14 kg (26–31 lb).[1]
The milk, though of lesser importance, is also used commercially, in the production of ayran, qurt, and butter.[1][4] Ewes have a yearly milk yield of 152 L on average.[3][1] Fat content ranges from 3–9%, with an average of 5.8%.[1]
Their wool production surpasses all other breeds of the Kazakh fat-tailed type, both in yield and quality.[3][1] The average fleece yield from two clippings is 3.3 kg (7.3 lb) for rams and 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) for ewes, fleece thickness is approximately 15 cm.[2][1] The fleece consists of true wool with a fineness of 18.0 μm (54% on average), intermediate fibres (33.1 μm, 17.5% avg.), and guard hair (59.5 μm, 26%avg.).[1] Kemp is rarely found.[1]
Notes
References
- “EDILBAEV (Edilbaevskaya)”, pp. 237–238 of N.G. Dmitriev, L.K. Ernst (eds.): Animal genetic resources of the USS. FAO Animal Production And Health Paper 65. Rome: Food And Agriculture Organization Of The United Nations, 1989. ISBN 92-5-102582-7 (pdf). Retrieved 13 October 2017.
- “Edilbaev Sheep,” TheFreeDictionary.com, Farlex Inc., without date. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations / Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS): “Edil'Baevskaya/Kazakhstan.” Retrieved 15 October 2017.
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations / Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS): “Edelbayevskaya/Russian Federation.” Retrieved 15 October 2017.
Further reading
- “EDILBAEV (Edilbaevskaya)”, pp. 237–238 of N.G. Dmitriev, L.K. Ernst (eds.): Animal genetic resources of the USS. FAO Animal Production And Health Paper 65. Rome: Food And Agriculture Organization Of The United Nations, 1989. ISBN 92-5-102582-7 (pdf)