Tsigai breed of sheep: description, characteristics, content features and reviews

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The most ancient domesticated animals are sheep, which are appreciated by our ancestors and modern Russian cattle breeders. Over the entire history of the existence of world agriculture, several hundred different breeds have been bred, many of which arose during the existence of the USSR. The territory of the former Soviet Union is considered the most suitable for raising sheep in large numbers. Therefore, it was there that animals of various breeds were bred, a significant part of which appeared as a result of the work of domestic breeders.

But some species were still imported to the territory of Russia and the countries of the present CIS from Europe and Asia. This happened with the Tsigai breed of sheep, which arrived in Russia from Asia Minor at the beginning of the 19th century.

Description of the breed

Tsigay sheep in most cases arewhite suit. They are quite large and with a strong physique, so it is easy to recognize them. However, the animal looks proportional and harmonious. According to the reviews, it can be seen that the body of the sheep is strong, the body is characterized by compact dimensions and a wide bone. A distinctive feature can be considered a long and thin tail, in which there are from 18 to 23 vertebrae.

Fore and hind legs set correctly. The Tsigai breed of sheep is characterized by strong hooves.

In newborn lambs, wrinkles can be seen on the skin, disappearing as the lambs grow older. The coat of this breed is thick and uniform. The fur coat practically does not fall off.

According to the characteristics of the Tsigai breed of sheep, the weight of an adult female is 40–45 kg. With good maintenance and regular balanced nutrition, individual sheep can gain it up to 55-60 kg. Sheep weigh 80–85 kg, in some cases 100–110 kg.

Productivity

Under standard conditions, 1-2 lambs are born in ewes. On average, there are 115-140 cubs per 100 mothers.

Tsigai breed of sheep can be safely called precocious. This is due to the fact that young lambs quickly gain weight. The daily weight gain of the animal is 350-450 grams.

Properties of wool

From one ram they get a fleece weighing 6-7 kg, from females - no more than 5 kg. Reviews of the Tsigai breed of sheep indicate that most often the percentage of pure wool from one adult animal is up to 55-60%, and the length of the strands is 10–14 cm.wool, which can be obtained from animals, directly depends on the conditions of their maintenance and on the diet.

Sheep of the Tsigai breed are classified as fine-wooled. Their coat is characterized by a white tint, has an openwork structure, and consists mainly of fluff.

Sheep's and rams' sheared wool has an attractive appearance, and the perfectly white color is easy to dye in any shade. Also, the fleece is highly valued for the fact that the wool is thin, strong and elastic, almost does not fall off. It is used to make high-quality sheepskin, which is quite difficult to obtain from coarser wool of other breeds.

From the reviews you can find out that sheep of this breed are sheared once a year - in April or May.

Animals are very sensitive to wet weather. This is due to the fact that their long thin hair, getting wet in the snow or rain, dries for a long time. Most often, this leads to the fact that the sheep gets sick with a cold.

All kinds of fur products are sewn from animal skins.

Advantages and disadvantages of Tsigai sheep

The advantages of the described breed include the following:

• unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention;
• strong bone skeleton, which minimizes animal injury;
• beautiful fleece.

Studying the characteristics and description of the Tsigai breed of sheep, we can say that animals feel uncomfortable when kept in a stall. To fully graze, it is worth regularly bringing them to pastures. For this, a meadow in a lowland or a forest area withgrass. Grazing such sheep on wet soils leads to frequent infection with worms that affect the internal organs (lungs and liver).

Feeding

Judging by the reviews and characteristics, the Tsigai breed is very beneficial in terms of mass breeding. This is explained by the fact that sheep are unpretentious in their diet: during the warm season, they feed exclusively on pasture. It is best to carry out additional feeding in small portions at the same time. Animals are happy to eat dry and juicy food in the winter. These include all kinds of root crops, chaff and hay.

Significant financial costs for the maintenance of sheep is not required, because for centuries the animals have been accustomed to survival in the semi-desert regions of Asia Minor. This developed in them the instinct of self-preservation, and also caused a decrease in the need for water and feed.

Content Features

Specialists who give advice on keeping Tsigai sheep in the cold season recommend sending them to sheep yards. Domestic sheep are sensitive to dampness and drafts. Therefore, it is important to correctly adjust the level of indoor air humidity. Every day you should walk the animals in the fresh air, of course, provided that there is no precipitation. This is due to the fact that their wool quickly absorbs moisture, and then dries for a long time.

In the summer, the Tsigai sheep should spend most of their time on pastures. In pets outdoorsair accelerates metabolism, which has a positive effect on the taste of meat.

Veterinarians advise vaccinating sheep against infectious diseases to minimize the risk of serious illness. You need to do this according to a special schedule. It is also recommended to deworm at least twice a year and treat the coat with repellents.

So, Tsigay sheep are popular in Russia and Ukraine, as well as in the Caucasus. Their wool and meat productivity is at a fairly high level in comparison with other breeds. Sheep and rams favorably differ in unpretentiousness and endurance. Among their advantages, precocity and good he alth can be distinguished, and many agrarians consider the low fertility of females to be a disadvantage of the breed.

Cigai sheep milk is very popular. It is used to produce delicious high-fat cheese and such varieties of cheese as Roquefort, Kachkaval, etc.