Economic and biological characteristics are optimal for intensive livestock farming. The endurance of Romanov sheep, adapted to the northern climate, concerns not only frosts, but also heat. Animals adapt well to any weather conditions, so they are already common in many regions. Good survival of young animals is an advantage complemented by multiple births and polyesterity. With rapid population growth, the return on investment also accelerates. Farm profit is formed by:
- fur coats of the highest quality with a unique structure and spectacular shade;
- wool for felting and spinning with excellent heat-saving properties;
- meat with a special aroma and taste that is valued in gastronomy;
- Mineral-rich milk that is twice as nutritious as cow's milk.
Production can begin immediately after the lambs reach five months of age. When a large herd is formed, additional income begins to be received from the sale of young stock. Prolificacy is an advantage of Romanov sheep, which is used when crossing with other breeds to increase the population due to numerous hybrid offspring, so breeding animals are always in demand. According to the standard, three large groups are distinguished, differing in the type of skeleton:
- Sturdy type The Romanov breed has an optimal combination of characteristics that ensure maximum productivity. These are large individuals with a wide chest, strong bones, elastic skin, thick coat with non-pilling fluff and a gray-blue color. Strong-type sheep produce large offspring with good survival rate.
- Gentle type outwardly manifested in a narrow head and chest with sharp withers and closely spaced limbs. The almost white wool looks impressive, but due to the lack of guard hair and the thinness of the inner skin, the skins are unsuitable for use. The fertility of Romanov sheep of the gentle type is reduced. Individuals are susceptible to pulmonary diseases, so they are not recommended for breeding.
- Rough type characterized by a massive physique and a mane, which is present even in females. The presence of transitional hair causes the dark color. Thick, loose skin and the predominance of long awns preclude the use of skins in furriery due to their rigidity and low thermal protection ability. Wool is used for felting. Animals of the rough type are unpretentious and tenacious.
Based on the totality of their characteristics, Romanov sheep belonging to the first constitutional group are preferable for breeding. Individuals of this type fully comply with the breed standard. Sheep with strong bones are animals of medium height with an elongated head, a flat back, a sagging rump, wide withers, straight muscular legs of medium length, a short tail, and vertical ears. Horns are allowed. The weight of rams is 60-70 kg, females - 45-55 kg. Height at the withers reaches 70 cm.
The standards stipulate strict requirements for the color and structure of the wool of Romanov sheep. The color of the spine is black. The hair should be shorter than fluff and light gray in color. One-third of the torso, head, ears, tail and limbs are black, with a fairly sharp transition to light. White markings are acceptable on the head, legs and tail. Rams have a mane on their necks. The belly is overgrown with fur. For individuals of the Romanov breed, the reddish tint of the fleece is excluded. The coat should be dark gray with a bluish tint.
The downy and guard zones are clearly defined. The wool of Romanov breed sheep is thick, with a curl on the main area. The presence of white spine, black fluff, transitional, dry or dead fibers in the fleece is unacceptable. The guard hair is 60-90 microns in thickness, 2.5-3.5 cm in length, downy fibers are 20.1-27.5 microns and 4-6 cm, respectively. The quantitative ratio of guard hair and down is 1:4- 1:10. Breeding animals that meet standard requirements in all respects bring maximum profit to the farm.
History of the development of the Romanov breed
The breed was first mentioned in literature in 1802, but in reality it was developed much earlier. In peasant farms of the last millennium, priority was given to animals that could reproduce easily and quickly even in the absence of decent living conditions. The gradual selection of short-lean-tailed sheep for the characteristics of precocity, fertility and unpretentiousness led to the formation of a breed with stable characteristics at the end of the 17th century in the villages of the Romanovo-Borisoglebsky district of the Yaroslavl province.
It was given a name based on its regional affiliation. But only in 1908, Pavel Nikolaevich Kuleshov compiled a list of characteristics, on the basis of which the breed was subsequently standardized. During the era of the Soviet Union, Romanov sheep spread throughout the northern and central regions. Now they are successfully raised in Tatarstan, Altai, and Belarus, but the main areas for breeding pedigree animals remain the Yaroslavl, Vologda, Ivanovo and Kostroma regions.
Reproduction and fertility of Romanov sheep
The increase in the number of herds in comparison with other breeds occurs quickly due to the unique fertility. Yarks reach sexual maturity at four months, but it is advisable to fertilize only after the female has gained 40 kg at the age of about seven months. The duration of pregnancy is 145 days. Multiple births are the norm for Romanov sheep, which produce 2-3 lambs, which are fed by the uterus for two months. Another pregnancy is possible during lactation.
By receiving an offspring of several lambs from each mature female twice a year or three times within two years, the livestock, provided proper care is provided, can easily be tripled annually. It is worth considering that with multiple births, the young animals turn out to be significantly smaller.
During mass lambing, in the absence of suitable conditions and attention, it is not always possible to completely preserve the offspring. To avoid losses of young animals, during this period it is necessary to ensure constant monitoring of the feeding of newborns by queens.
Feeding and keeping sheep
To ensure optimal conditions in the shed, a layer of straw is sufficient to maintain cleanliness and dryness. It is not advisable to use sawdust or peat. Insulation of the sheepfold is not required, since the thick coat perfectly regulates the temperature. The Romanov breed easily withstands frost and heat up to 30 °C. But permanent stabling is contraindicated for sheep. To improve productivity, any type of pasture is suitable for animals, with the exception of water meadows and marshy areas.
- lambs;
- Kutsany;
- bright;
- ewes;
- manufacturers;
- Valukhi.
It is recommended that lambs be supplemented with compound feed from the age of one week. Young animals are housed together with ewes, but after three weeks of feeding, it is advisable to organize separate housing to improve lactation. Shortcuts and yamkas, which have not reached the age of fertilization, are isolated from each other in the shed and on pasture in order to avoid premature mating. The diet of breeding ewes and stud rams should be as balanced as possible. Valukhi are usually fattened for meat.
Productivity of Romanov sheep
A significant advantage of the breed is its virtually waste-free production, but it has gained fame due to the unique characteristics of its wool. High-quality products are obtained from the first harvest. Yarn wool is valued in light industry. Adults should be groomed three times a year, avoiding seasonal shedding. The wool yield from a female is about 2 kg, from a ram - 3 kg. After slaughter, the skins undergo special processing and are used to sew spectacular fur products.
The meat yield from Romanov breed sheep reaches 50% of the carcass. Offal is also used in gastronomy. Excellent taste, complemented by an appetizing aroma, is especially pronounced in seven-month-old individuals. However, lamb obtained from adult animals fattened on grazing is also in demand.
Romanov sheep are not a dairy breed, but this area is also quite promising. The increased fat content makes it possible to produce cheeses of excellent quality with minimal milk consumption.
Breeding Romanov sheep
If there are sires in the herd, it is necessary to ensure the separation of the flocks during housing and grazing in order to avoid unregulated reproduction. To improve the quality of wool and increase weight gain, mating should be carried out according to plan. If you have a convenient shed, it is more rational to carry out fertilization in the autumn, so that the lambs grow up and become stronger for grazing. As a result of careful planning, a flock of individuals of the same age is formed, among which it is easier to select.
For breeding breeding animals, young animals are selected that fully meet the standard of the Romanov breed. Preliminary assessment of lambs usually takes place in the spring, and actual grading - at the end of summer. Unlike other breeds, Romanov sheep are assessed taking into account the coat characteristics of the fleece and the tendency to have multiple births. Based on the totality of their characteristics, animals are divided into four classes. Additionally, from the highest category, an elite is distinguished, on the basis of which further selection work is carried out.
Grading of lambs and lambs is carried out at eight months.
Prospects for the development of the Romanov breed
The prospects for the further development of the Romanov breed of sheep are determined by their productivity and the presence of many economically useful traits:
- The early maturity and fertility of Romanov sheep ensures the rapid formation of a herd as a result of the acquisition of several breeding animals.
- The unpretentiousness of the breed means good survival with minimal care, even in unfavorable conditions.
- The unique quality of sheepskin, which is constantly in demand in the fur industry, is a guarantee of the successful sale of basic farm products.
- A large yield of wool from three annual shearings of each individual is the key to regular budget injections for the development of livestock farming.
- High productivity of meat with excellent gastronomic properties compensates for lost profits in case of sheepskin rejection.
- The quality of nutritious and healthy milk allows you to organize an additional business for the production of cheese and other products.
- Self-selection of promising lambs will help increase the productivity of the herd and provide income from the sale of breeding sheep.
In the field of livestock farming in our country, breeding pigs and cattle is very popular, although sheep farming can also be called a promising area of agriculture. Keeping sheep allows us to obtain not only high-quality meat and dairy products, but also natural wool for clothing production. When planning to start breeding sheep, you first need to choose the right breed.
The Romanov breed of sheep is considered one of the best. These animals are highly productive and unpretentious in keeping and feeding. In this article you will find not only a detailed description of Romanov sheep with photos, but also useful information about breeding and keeping these animals at home.
Romanov breed of sheep: origin
From the point of view of scientific classification, these sheep belong to the short-tailed group. This means that all members of the species have a short tail without fat deposits (Figure 1).
Note: The breed appeared thanks to folk selection, and received its name due to the region of origin - one of the districts of the Yaroslavl region.
The first mentions of this breed date back to the 17th century, and although during its existence the animals have acquired some changes in appearance and productivity, they are still considered the best for breeding in northern regions with difficult climatic conditions and a poor food supply.
Figure 1. External features of the view If we talk about folk selection, then the peasants who bred animals sought to breed a breed that would produce a lot of meat and wool products and be highly fertile even in unfavorable climatic conditions. These characteristics of the breed have been preserved to this day. At the moment, such animals are bred not only in Russia, but also in the northern regions of Europe and some Asian countries. It is noteworthy that Romanov sheep are used not only for meat, milk and wool, but also in breeding work to breed new species.
Description of the breed
According to external characteristics, all representatives of the breed are usually divided into three groups, the representatives of which have a certain ratio of wool to bone.
Each such group has its own distinctive features:
- Strong bones: representatives of the group are distinguished by a well-developed and symmetrical body. They have a fairly wide chest, and the wool is very thick, so these are the animals that are bred for wool. A distinctive feature of rams of this group is the presence of a black mane.
- Rough Boning: Due to the characteristics of the fleece (high content of transitional fibers), animals of this group are kept primarily for the production of meat and dairy products. At the same time, the rams have dark gray wool and a large mane, and the characteristic external features of the breed make it possible to use adult males in breeding work.
- Delicate bone: If we talk about rams of this group, it is worth mentioning that their wool is almost white and there is no mane. However, due to the non-standard body structure, representatives of this subspecies are not used in breeding work. In addition, the animals produce low-quality sheepskin, so they are kept only for meat and dairy products.
But, despite the division of the breed into groups, all representatives of the species also have some common exterior characteristics. Firstly, they have a fairly strong and developed bone structure, and the height at the withers can reach 70 cm. Secondly, all animals have a rounded, barrel-shaped body with a small elongated head, vertical ears and a nose with a small hump. A characteristic feature of the breed is the absence of horns, but recently females and females with horns have been used for breeding work (Figure 2).
Note: It should also be noted that these animals are quite large: the weight of an adult male can reach 80 kg, and females - 50 kg.
Figure 2. Photos of adults and young animals of the breed However, the main characteristic by which individuals are selected for breeding work is coat color. The coat of the body should be predominantly black, but small white markings are allowed, the number of which should not exceed a third of the volume of the entire body. The ears and legs should also be black. The presence of patches of red or tan in the fur is grounds for culling an individual, especially if the animals are kept for breeding or raised for wool.
Breeding Romanov sheep
As mentioned above, Romanov animals are bred primarily for meat and dairy products, but if the purity of the breed is maintained, these animals can become a valuable source of high-quality wool. It is important that haircuts must be carried out three times per season: in spring, summer and autumn. This frequency is associated with seasonal molting of animals, which significantly deteriorates the quality of wool (Figure 3).
Despite the fact that most large farms prefer to breed this breed for wool, these animals are also very promising from the point of view of meat productivity. The fact is that one of the characteristics of the breed is early maturity. Lambs are born completely black with small white markings on the forehead, but gradually their coat begins to lighten and acquires the color characteristic of the breed. Thanks to this, the first shearing of young lambs can be carried out as early as 5 months, and by 9 months they reach a weight of 40 kg and can be sent for slaughter.
Figure 3. Females with cubs From an economic point of view, breeding Romanov sheep is also not difficult. For this, either the free mating method or artificial insemination is used. The latter method has a number of advantages. Firstly, the herd does not need to contain a large number of breeding rams. For a large flock, a few individuals will be enough to serve as a source of seed material. Secondly, with artificial insemination, the lambing date can be adjusted and the purity of the breed can be maintained. In addition, queens can be inseminated year-round, and females are ready for mating at 4 months of age.
Note: Despite the fact that females quickly reach sexual maturity, it is recommended to fertilize them only after the individual’s weight reaches 40 kg. Otherwise, the female simply will not be able to bear cubs.
If you are planning to breed Romanov sheep for profit and want to start with a small herd, you should be prepared for the first profit to be made only after the number of herds reaches at least 100 individuals. This is due to the fact that the sheepskins obtained from the breed are sold in bulk, so a large flock is needed to make a profit. At the same time, thanks to the fertility and precocity of these animals, increasing the herd will not be difficult. Females are ready for fertilization all year round, and in one year they can give birth to lambs three times, and, as a rule, at least two individuals are born during one lambing.
As mentioned above, the Romanov breed was obtained by the method of folk selection. From a husbandry point of view, this means that the animals do not require any special conditions to remain productive.
Figure 4. Options for keeping a flock Representatives of the species have thick skin and thick wool, which perfectly protects them from the cold. However, when keeping animals in winter stalls, they need to be provided with deep, dry bedding made of high-quality hay or straw. It is not recommended to use peat or sawdust for this purpose, as these materials contaminate the wool and reduce its quality and cost (Figure 4).
Among other nuances of the content it is worth highlighting:
- In the summer, animals should be released to freely graze on pasture. This will not only save on feed, but also improve the health of the animals.
- When kept in winter stalls, the flock must be released daily into a fenced range to preserve fertility, strengthen the immune system and prevent diseases
- Almost any area is suitable for grazing, including areas with sparse vegetation. However, it should be borne in mind that water meadows and marshy areas are not suitable for these animals, since high humidity can lead to diseases among the livestock.
Special attention should be paid to feeding. Despite the fact that representatives of the breed are considered unpretentious, in order to obtain high-quality wool and meat and dairy products, the animals' diet must be nutritious and balanced throughout the year.
In summer, animals receive almost all the necessary substances while grazing on pasture. Additional feed is required only for pregnant females and breeding rams. The diet of the former must include concentrated feed, and the latter must be supplemented with special nutritional supplements to maintain productivity (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Basic feed for young animals and adults Particular attention should be paid to the winter feeding ration. The main food product for sheep in winter is high-quality straw and hay from legumes and alfalfa, but the diet must include roughage, root vegetables and silage. Throughout the year, it is not recommended to include flour or other feed in the diet, which, if eaten, can lead to contamination of the fleece.
Productivity of Romanov breed sheep
Romanov sheep are usually classified as meat-and-wool productivity, but meat and wool are far from the only products that can be obtained from these animals.
The Romanov breed is considered universal because these animals give:
- Milk: Despite the low milk productivity of sheep, their milk is much richer and more nutritious than cow's milk. This means that for the same amount of cow's and sheep's milk, more products (cheese, for example) will be obtained from the latter. Of course, one sheep produces no more than 200 liters of milk per year, but this small amount is fully compensated by maintaining a large herd.
- Meat: Lamb obtained from Romanov sheep has not only valuable taste and nutritional qualities. The fact is that such meat has its own distinctive pleasant taste and aroma, and the slaughter yield is about 50%. Considering that lambs are ready for slaughter at six months of age, and a kilogram of lamb costs quite a lot, raising Romanov sheep for further slaughter for meat is quite cost-effective.
- Wool: in this area, Romanov sheep belong to coarse-wooled animals. This means that their wool is widely used in industry. The breed is of particular value due to the fact that animals can have white or black wool, and if you choose the optimal moment for shearing (when the ratio of hair to fluff in the sheepskin is 1:7), the wool also acquires an unusual bluish tint. One-year-old sheep are sheared three times a year, and from one individual, depending on its physical parameters, you can get from one and a half to three kilograms of high-quality wool.
Separately, it should be mentioned that females of the Romanov breed are highly fertile. A purebred sheep produces at least two lambs per lamb, but more often there are four or even five young in a litter. Considering that births occur twice a year, and Romanov sheep are universal in their productivity, breeding purebred individuals at home is extremely profitable.
Wool from Romanov sheep
The Romanov breed of sheep was bred in our country and initially belonged to the meat and wool breed. The special value of wool is that it contains a lot of fluff, and the combination of black hair with white fluff gives sheepskins an unusual steel color.
If the wool has been cut at the right time, when the hair to fluff ratio is 1:7 respectively, the wool will feel good. As a result, it can be used both for the production of natural wool threads and finished sheepskin products: shoes, carpets and clothing.
Romanov breed of sheep: video
If you are planning to start breeding Romanov sheep, you should familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of these animals in advance. It’s worth noting right away that, thanks to folk selection, Romanov sheep have many advantages, while the disadvantages mainly relate to certain living conditions.
First of all, you should dwell on the advantages of the Romanov breed of sheep:
- The animals produce high-quality wool of a unique gray-blue color with a steel sheen and a strong core. Such sheepskins are highly valued in the market.
- Females are ready for free mating or artificial insemination almost all year round. This allows you to freely adjust the timing of mating and lambing, as well as quickly increase the number of livestock.
- Sheep of the Romanov breed are distinguished by multiple births. In a flock of 100 females, up to 300 lambs can be produced in just one year. In most cases, females give birth to two or more lambs in one pregnancy, but in the most fertile individuals the number of offspring can reach up to 9 lambs. At the same time, the young animals immediately after birth are in excellent health and almost never die.
- High precocity allows females to be born as early as one year of age, although sexual maturity occurs as early as 4 months. Early mating or insemination of females is not recommended, since in order to fully bear lambs the weight of an adult female must be at least 40 kg.
In addition, thanks to the rapid development, the first products from Romanov sheep can be obtained already at the age of five months, when the young animals are sheared for the first time.
However, along with its advantages, the breed also has some disadvantages. Firstly, it should be borne in mind that Romanov sheep are very susceptible to pulmonary diseases, so the sheepfold for winter maintenance must be strong, reliable and well insulated so that there are no drafts inside. It is also not recommended to keep animals in conditions of high humidity, as this can cause colds. Secondly, it should be taken into account that Romanov sheep are characterized by increased timidity, so any manipulations in the pasture or in the sheepfold should be carried out carefully so as not to accidentally frighten the animals.
For those who plan to start breeding Romanov sheep, it will be useful to learn the practical nuances of this process. You will find a detailed description of the breed, as well as the features of its breeding, maintenance and feeding in the video.
Igor Nikolaev
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Sheep of the Romanov breed are traditional domestic animals. They were bred by folk selection at the end of the seventeenth century, on the territory of the modern Yaroslavl region.
Romanov sheep received their name from the county in which this breed appeared - Romanovo-Borisoglebsky.
In the Soviet Union, these animals became widespread in the northern and northeastern regions of the European part of the RSFSR, as well as in Belarus. Currently, in addition to their original habitats, there are large numbers of Romanov sheep in the Altai Territory and in the Republic of Tatarstan. This breed is also popular abroad.
This sheep variety belongs to the coarse-wool meat-wool direction of sheep breeding and produces products in the form of meat, milk, wool and skins.
External signs
Romanov sheep are characterized by: strong, well-developed bones; height at the withers up to 70 centimeters; barrel-shaped body; straight and level back; small elongated head; slight hooked nose; vertically set ears; deep and voluminous breasts; short tail; straight strong limbs. Both among females and among rams there are horned individuals. The average live weight is from 60 to 70 kilograms (outstanding males reach a weight of 100 kg), and the live weight of females is on average from 45 to 55 kilograms (the record is 90 kg).
The breed standard separately describes coat color. The predominant color on the body should be black (white and light markings should not cover more than 1/3 of the body). The legs and ears must also be black (however, the standard allows white spots on the legs).
According to the requirements of the breed standard, gray and red shades (even fragmentarily), as well as too light or reddish tones of color are unacceptable.
Romanov sheep are quite large animals. They are noticeably larger than ewes and differ from them in having a stronger and coarser constitution. Rams have a thicker coat than a sheep, and at about nine months they grow a coarse mane.
The Romanov breed sheep is distinguished by its early maturity. Yarka matures sexually by the age of seven months, and the Romanov ram by ten months. In addition, these animals quickly gain weight.
If there was one lamb in the litter, then one hundred days after its birth it already weighs 20-22 kilograms, and it reaches a weight of 30-40 kilos at the age of eight to nine months. If there were a lot of lambs in the lambing, then their average weight after one hundred days is 16.2 kg.
Backbone types
There are three types of bones of Romanov animals: strong (normal), rough and soft bones. Animals with the first type of bone structure are best suited for breeding in terms of the ratio of vitality and reproductive qualities.
Romanovs of this type are characterized by a deep and wide chest of large girth. In addition to strong bones, they have elastic and thin skin, as well as thick, dense fur. Adult rams of the Romanov breed are distinguished by their black manes, and high-quality sheepskins are obtained from them.
The second type of build is characterized by coarse, heavy bones and coarse coat.
The length of the guard fibers is often greater than that of the down fibers. The skin of these animals is thick and rough. In the structure of the fleece, most of the hair is of a transitional type. Females of this type of Romanov also have a mane. Sheepskins obtained from such animals are too heavy and not particularly attractive.
The delicate type of bone structure is distinguished by a rather graceful constitution, narrow bones and thin pink skin. The proportional ratio of guard and down fibers is 1 to 11. The awn is distinguished by its subtlety, the color of the fleece is white. Even males do not have a mane.
Such animals are not taken into the breeding herd for further breeding.
The fur output is very small. Since the content of guard fiber in the fleece is low, the fluff falls into tangles and the sheepskin from such animals is of low quality. Among other things, this type is characterized by reduced vitality and productivity.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Romanov breed of sheep
Representatives of this sheep variety are distinguished by the following useful qualities:
- endurance and unpretentiousness to conditions of detention and care;
- high level of climatic adaptability (both to cold and heat, as well as to sudden temperature changes). In winter, Romanov sheep are able to withstand frosts down to minus 30 degrees;
- readiness for mating and fertilization throughout the year (regardless of the weather season);
- one of the best multiple births in the world (on average 3-5, and possibly up to 9 cubs in one litter);
- early maturity (the first mating can be carried out per year);
- popular wool products, which are used as raw materials in light and felting industries (the first shearing can be carried out on animals at the age of 6 months);
- high-quality skin (sheepskin), which is characterized by such qualities as lightness and durability.
The disadvantages of this breed variety include:
- weak immunity to pulmonary diseases;
- nervous behavior;
- poor tolerance to high humidity and drafts.
Productivity indicators
Animals of this breed produce raw materials for the production of fur coats, which are characterized by high levels of lightness, strength and heat conservation.
Of particular value are sheepskins obtained from six to eight month old young animals (they are also called “Petrovsky”). The structure of the coat contains a large number of downy fibers, which intertwine with the guard fibers and form braids with small curls in the upper part. The ratio of guard and down fibers ranges from 1 to 4 to 1 to 10.
The density of the coat is from 2600 to 2800 hairs per square centimeter of skin. Wool contains lanolin, which gives it softening, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. The thickness of the awn fibers reaches 90 microns, and the down fibers up to 27 microns. The cubs are born with a black coat color; at the 14th week the color becomes lighter, and the color characteristic of the Romanovs is finally formed at three to five months of age.
When black guard fibers and white down fibers are mixed, a steel-blue color of the coat is obtained. Romanov sheep are sheared three times a year - in March, June and October.
From one male individual they cut from 2.5 to 3.5 kilograms per year, and from one female – from 1.4 to 1.8 kilograms during the same time. The yield of pure wool is very high - from 65 to 80 percent.
If the structure of the fleece contains transitional type fibers, then the quality of such raw materials deteriorates sharply. Transitional hair is thick and not curled. It is also bad when the majority of the fleece consists of down fibers. This kind of wool gets tangled when worn. If the length of the down fibers does not exceed 6 centimeters, then such a fleece is considered to be of high quality. The predominance of guard fibers in the wool structure reduces the degree of thermal insulation, the wool becomes coarser and heavier.
In addition to wool raw materials, Romanov breeds are distinguished by good meat productivity. If these sheep are bred for the purpose of obtaining meat, then in this case the animals are not sheared.
The slaughter yield of representatives of this breed is about 50 percent in relation to live weight.
The resulting meat has a pleasant smell and good taste. The best meat comes from lambs aged seven months.
Their slaughter yield is up to 18.5 kilograms, of which 11 are pulp, and only 3.5 are bones.
In this case, the room must be clean and dry (Romanovites do not like dampness).
It is not recommended to use sawdust and peat to create bedding. During the hot summer period, wool performs a thermoregulatory function, keeping body temperature at the same level all day. Animals need free grazing, since their health deteriorates when constantly kept in stalls. In addition, keeping them on pasture strengthens their immune system and increases their ability to reproduce. Romanov sheep are suitable for almost any type of pasture, even with depleted vegetation cover. However, they should not be grazed in swamps, water meadows and other areas with high humidity. This is harmful to digestion, and the tall grass of such pastures is difficult to eat. These animals are not picky about the composition of their feed.
In winter, they readily eat hay, straw and brooms. Artificially created pastures are usually used from early spring until the onset of the first cold weather. It is recommended to sow such pastures with either perennial legumes or cereal crops.
Typically, animals kept on pasture are given water twice a day, most often in the morning and evening.
Diet when kept in stalls
The basis of the winter nutritional diet of these animals is roughage - hay, brooms and straw.
However, it is necessary to diversify it with succulent feed in the form of silage or chopped root vegetables. It is also worth giving compound feed and other mineral and vitamin supplements (especially to young animals and ewes during lactation). Concentrates should be given after watering, and succulent feed should be alternated with roughage. The diet should also contain salt, vitamins and mineral supplements (for example, bone meal or chalk).
One sheep needs three kilograms of salt and two kilograms of bone meal or crushed chalk per year. It is best to feed wormwood, cereal, legume or clover hay. In no case should you give rush grass or sedge (animals may die), as well as forest herbs (horsetails) and plants with rough stems (reeds). Young animals can be fed with wheat bran, as well as pea or other legume flour. To ensure that animals do not suddenly lose weight when switching from pasture to stall housing, they are initially fed with high-quality roughage feed.
Romanov sheep should be gradually transferred to feeding on straw, brooms and other lower-quality types of feed. The highest quality and nutritious types of food should be reserved for the second half of the cold period, at the time of mass lambing of pregnant ewes.
During the hunting season, it is better to feed sheep well, for example, with high-quality hay, forbs and succulent feed. If you add 300 grams of grain feed and 1 kilogram of good hay to the basic daily diet, then in six months the young animals born will gain up to 50 kilos of live weight. In one year the animal already weighs 80 kilograms, and it must be slaughtered.
The average daily weight gain of one individual with proper nutrition ranges from 140 to 170 grams.
Features of reproduction
In the non-chernozem regions of our country, sheep of this variety are covered mainly in the summer, and in the steppe regions they are planned for the fall. Before fertilization, animals are prepared for two months, with mandatory recommended preventive vaccinations. On pastures, breeding rams are given the best feeding places, and mixed feed is added to their diet (up to 400 grams per head).
Romanov sheep were bred in Russia. Naturally, the climatic conditions of the regions are taken into account. Breeding Romanov sheep at home has no restrictions. These animals easily endure even harsh winters. There is no need to heat barns even at –30°. Sheep only need straw bedding.
The Romanov sheep is a coarse-wooled meat-and-wool breed. The main advantages are excellent coloring, good live weight, high-quality wool and high fertility. Sheep quickly come into heat, successfully cover themselves and lamb up to 3 times within 2 years. Moreover, one female often gives birth to 2, 3 and even 4 lambs. By breeding this breed, you can simultaneously implement several business ideas.
Benefits for the farmer
Speaking about the Romanov breed sheep, we should immediately note their main advantages for the farm:
- The breed is attractive for the beginning farmer. No special care is needed, so sheep will easily forgive beginner's mistakes.
- A distinctive feature is high-quality thick sheepskin. This wool has an attractive appearance and is therefore in demand in the textile industry.
- Romanov sheep are hardy and unpretentious. Even in severe winter you will not have to heat the room, because... Thick wool retains heat well. Animals are practically omnivorous. If in any year it was not possible to prepare enough hay or purchase grain, silage and root crops, straw and twig feed are used.
- The ewe often and easily (compared to other breeds) gives birth to offspring. Lambs quickly get on their feet and reach sexual maturity at 4 months.
By purchasing a small herd, you can quickly expand your sheep farm.
Reproduction of breeding stock
Romanov sheep are very prolific. In 1 year, from 20 heads, the livestock increases to a full-fledged herd of 100 pieces. bright and rams. This is an excellent indicator for a small farm.
Lambing of a Romanov breed sheep will begin no earlier than 5 months after fertilization. Yes, this is a fairly long pregnancy period. But the lambs are born strong and strong with good weight. But here a lot depends on the quantity in the offspring:
- 1 lamb = 3.71 kg;
- 2 lambs = 2.91 kg;
- 3 lambs = 2.54 kg;
- quadruples = 2.32 kg.
Interesting fact! When the lamb is 100 days old, it is time to wean it from its mother. If the lamb is a low-fertility litter (1-2 pieces), by this time its entire litter is already 25 kg! If there is a multiple litter – 16kg.
Only lambs of low-fertility litters that have lambed do not require care. If their number per lamb is 3 or more, then they need additional feeding, since there is not enough mother’s milk for everyone.
At 4 months, the offspring reaches sexual maturity.
Feeding lambs, lambs and rams
Everything that goes into the diet for feeding sheep and in what quantities according to daily norms is indicated below in the tables. You can also focus on the planned increase in live weight. Feed consumption indicators are indicated on average per head per day.
Table 1. Fattening sheep of the Romanov breed:
Table 2. Diet for queens:
| Feed | Diet | |
| walking period | stall period | |
| The first half of suyagnost | ||
| Meadow hay | 1.3 kg | 1.0 kg |
| Mixed grass silage | - | 2.0 kg |
| Compound feed | - | 0.3 kg |
| Potato | 0,5 | - |
| Branch food | - | 1 kg |
| Food waste | 1,5 | - |
| The second half of suyagnost | ||
| Legume-cereal hay | 1.0 kg | 1.0 kg |
| Mixed grass silage | - | 1.0 kg |
| Wheat bran | 0.3 kg | 0.3 kg |
| Food waste | 1.5 kg | 1.0 kg |
| Compound feed | 0.6 kg | 0.5 kg |
| Potato | 0.3 kg | 0.3 kg |
| Branch food | 0.5 kg | 0.5 kg |
Table 3. Feeding diet for young animals:
In summer, hay, straw and succulent forage are replaced by green grass in pastures. This should be taken into account when calculating the cost of feeding the herd.
Areas of sheep farming
When breeding Romanov sheep as a business, it is effective to develop several areas of activity at once:
- sell sheepskin;
- mezhinu (skin with wool);
- skin;
- meat;
- milk;
- breeding young animals.
Fleece
Includes awn and down. Transitional hair (thick, without curls) may also be present. Its presence deteriorates the quality of raw materials. Sheep are sheared 3 times a year (in March, June and October). Wool yield: for rams - 2-4 kg, and for sheep less - 1.5-2 kg. On average - 65-80%.
The following parameters are used to evaluate sheepskin:
- ratio of length of guard hairs to fluff;
- number of guard hairs;
- color of awn and down;
- presence and number of curls;
- purity and balance of the fleece.
Distinctive properties of sheepskin:
- The highest quality sheepskin has a spine to down ratio of 1:4 – 1:10. The optimal content is 1:7. This wool acquires a blue tint and better aesthetic characteristics.
- The awn is painted black. The fluff is white. Different ratios of guard and down hairs give different shades of fleece. Optimally dark gray with a blue tint. Unacceptable - reddish tint and too light color.
- The length of the fluff should not exceed 5-6 cm. Otherwise, it will bunch up and become matted.
- With a large amount of spine, the sheepskin becomes rough and does not hold heat well.
The highest quality fleece is obtained after shearing 5-6 month old lambs that have not been sheared before.
Meat from Romanov breed sheep
Romanov sheep are distinguished by good meat gain for the spent feed. At the age of two months, young lambs are castrated. They grow quickly. At six months their weight is already 50 kg: they can be sold live or as slaughter.
If you grow a Romanov sheep up to 11 months, its weight will reach 70-75 kg. The yield of clean meat is 50%.
Milk
After lambing, a nursing ewe produces 1.3-1.5 liters of milk. This is enough to feed 3 lambs. If the female produced less, then the high milk productivity of the Romanov sheep can be used for the benefit of business.
One individual produces 100-300 kg of milk per 100 days of lactation. The udder of these sheep is well developed and convenient for milking. The content of fats and proteins in sheep's milk is twice as high as in cow's milk. Therefore, much more dairy products can be prepared.
Sale of breeding young animals
At 3.5-4 months, females become sexually mature. But the first mating is recommended when the animal’s weight reaches 38-40 kg. When lambing time approaches, the ewe bleats loudly and often lies down.
A few days before lambing, the hair between the hind legs needs to be trimmed. Childbirth, as a rule, takes place without complications - and no assistance is needed. It happens that the lamb walks forward with its hind legs. Then you need to return it back with clean hands and try to turn the head over.
After lambing, the ewe and lambs are sent to a separate stall. They stay there for up to 2 months. If more than 3 lambs are born, the animal itself cannot cope with feeding. Part of the litter will have to be artificially fed.
Two-month-old lambs are moved to a separate pen - they will be sold.
The implementation of a business idea for breeding Romanov sheep will not require much investment. And the profitability is quite high. This breed is profitable!
Descriptions of Romanov breed standards
The grading of Romanov breed sheep is segmented depending on the characteristics of the skeleton. There are three types of standard:
- strong bones;
- rude;
- gentle.
Individuals of different types differ in appearance, skin and coat.
Features of animals with strong bone type:
- The best indicators of vitality and fertility.
- All parts of the body are proportionally developed. These sheep have a wide and deep chest and strong bones.
- Sheep skin is elastic, thin and dense.
- The wool is thick and of high quality. The ratio of awn to fluff is 1:4 – 1:10. The length of the guard hair is 2-3.5 cm, the length of the down hair is 5-6 cm.
- The mane of black sheep is black.
Sheep with strong bones have the highest quality sheepskin.
What is the difference between the rough type:
- Individuals have coarse fur and heavy bones.
- The guard hair is thick, often longer than the down. Therefore, the fleece of this type is heavy, ugly, with a large amount of transition fiber.
- The skin is rough, tough, thick.
- The ram has a dark gray color and a large, coarse mane. Sheep also have manes.
Features of the gentle type of Romanov breed:
- Underdeveloped bones, long head, narrow chest, sharp withers, close-set legs and drooping rump.
- The skin is thin and pink.
- Usually rams have no mane.
- Not enough wool. The fluff is strongly curved and weak. The ratio of awn to down is 1:11 or more. The awn is thin. Besides, there is not enough of it. Therefore, the fluff falls off and the sheepskin turns out to be of low quality.
Lambs with a delicate bone type are not used for breeding. They are characterized by low viability and productivity.
Live weight of Romanov breed sheep:
- stud rams – 70-80 kg;
- ewes – 50-60 kg;
- unit (one lamb per litter) – 3.7 kg;
- lamb aged 100 days – 25 kg (from a low-fertility litter), 16 kg (from a multi-fertile litter).
A complete analysis of this breed cannot be contained in one article. Only the main advantages, differences and basic concepts are described here; other information can be found in specialized literature and reference books.
Sheep are versatile pets. They provide humans not only with food, but also with wool. From a variety of breeds, you can choose one that suits specific conditions and purposes.
Romanovskaya coarse-haired fur breed
In central Russia, fur coat sheep breeding is most common. These animals are suitable for cool climates and short grazing periods. Among this group, the Romanov breed of sheep is popular.
In addition to fur coats, representatives of this species are distinguished by tasty meat and high fertility. They are unpretentious in maintenance and quickly adapt to local climatic conditions.
Origin of the breed
Romanov breed bred in the Romanovo-Borisoglebsky district of the Yaroslavl region by the method of folk selection. The first mention of it dates back to 1802.
Peasants raised sheep to keep them on their farms. They pursued the goal of obtaining animals that would produce products with meager maintenance and monotonous feeding. People coped with this task perfectly.
Sheep are not demanding in terms of living conditions and diet. All products obtained from these animals are of high quality and are in great demand.
During Soviet times, this species quickly spread in the northern and northeastern regions; it was bred in North America, Bashkiria, Tatarstan, and Belarus.
Sheep of the Romanov breed are used not only to obtain food and wool, but also in breeding work to breed even more productive species.
Description of the breed
Representatives of the Romanov breed must meet standards for physique and color.
Appearance
Breed characteristics: polled head, medium height, strong constitution, developed muscles, deep chest and short tail
Sheep of this breed have the following characteristic features:
- developed skeleton;
- dry elongated head;
- erect ears;
- barrel-shaped body;
- straight muscular legs.
The withers, back and sacrum are located on the same line. Animals of both sexes can be either horned or polled.
Body Standard
The breed's body standard was first developed by Russian professor P.N. Kuleshov in 1908. Subsequently, the description he proposed was clarified by other scientists.
Romanov sheep must have:
- strong structure;
- height up to 70 cm;
- strong frame;
- developed muscular system;
- wide chest;
- tail 8-10 cm long;
- head without horns.
According to zootechnical requirements First class animals must not have horns.
Ram physique
Ram of the Romanov breed
Rams are more massive than the queens, they are distinguished by a rougher and more powerful frame, widely set legs, and a hooked head.
Their skin and fur are somewhat rougher. The mane develops from 8 months of age and consists of coarse guard fibers.
Types of constitution
Sheep of the Romanov breed according to the constitution divided into 3 types, their characteristics are presented in the table.
The Romanov ram weighs 65-75 kg (up to 100 kg), the uterus weighs 45-55 kg (up to 90 kg).
Color standard
Romanov sheep should have creamy white down, and shorter black hair. Hair to fluff ratio from 1:4 to 1:10.
Romanovsky lambs
Lambs are born black, may have white spots on the head and legs. From the second week, light fluff begins to grow. At 5 months, the offspring have the color of an adult and can be cut.
Sheepskin consists of a short spine and fluff, which outgrows it by 2-3 cm, forming small curled braids. The wool density is 2,800 fibers per square centimeter of skin. The awns and the bottom layer of fluff prevent the fur from matting. The structure of the fleece provides reliable protection from the cold.
Adult breeding sheep
Adult animals have a steel color with a blue tint. This color is obtained by combining white down with black hair. There are often white markings on the face and ears. Their head, tail, neck and legs up to the hock are black. The transition from the fleece to the black parts of the body should be sharp.
There are often deviations from breed standards; such individuals are not used for breeding work.
Productivity
Raising Romanov sheep breeds wool, meat, milk and skins for people. These products can be obtained from animals over 5 months of age.
Milk
Sheep give a little milk; in one lactation you can get about 100 liters, i.e. about 200 l. per year. It is twice as fat as cow's milk and has a richer mineral composition.
The same volume of sheep's milk will produce twice as much product, such as cheese, than cow's milk.
Low milk productivity is compensated by the large number of livestock.
Meat
Lamb is valued for its special taste and aroma. Ecologically clean meat is a secondary product of sheep farming, so animals are not fed growth hormones.
One young 7-month-old lamb produces about 20 kg of meat and offal.
Wool
Grooming a Romanov sheep
The wool from the first harvest is of high quality. It is obtained from six-month-old individuals and is called poyarkovaya. The sheep are then sheared three times a year. The optimal period for the next haircut is a hair to fluff ratio of 1:7.
Sheepskin that contains an excessive amount of fluff will clump and clump when worn, and if there is not enough fluff, things will not retain heat.
The fur coats of Romanov sheep differ:
- ease;
- elegance;
- thermal insulation properties;
- strength;
- high fluff content.
The wool yield depends on the sex and age of the animal. On average, one sheep produces 2 kg of wool, a ram - 3 kg.
Features of keeping Romanov sheep
A special feature of keeping sheep at home is the need for daily walking. They do not tolerate staying in stalls well.
Creating favorable conditions
Summer sheep pen
For sheep you need to equip a shed - a dry, warm structure. Nearby it is necessary to make a pen with feeders and drinking bowls.
The room area standards for each animal species are given in the table.
For areas with cold winters, it is better to line the floor in the shed with boards; the temperature inside should not fall below 10 degrees.
Shepherd: premises for keeping sheep, open pens with feeders and drinkers, sheds and other structures
Sheep are undemanding. They tolerate heat up to +30 and frost down to -30 degrees. Their fur stabilizes the air temperature to a comfortable value for them.
They need to prepare thick, dry bedding for the winter and keep it clean. Peat and sawdust should not be used for this. Dirt causes infectious diseases in sheep.
In summer it is necessary to organize long-term grazing. Animals should not be driven out into the open in extreme heat.
Sheep grazing
The flock is composed of individuals of the same sex and age:
- suckling young animals;
- Kutsany;
- young sheep (bright);
- maternal stock;
- manufacturers.
Shepherd-basic housing presupposes that each flock has its own sector with a pasture, a watering hole, a paddock and an insulated indoor area.
Care
Caring for Romanov sheep has its own characteristics and requires certain knowledge.
It must include the following mandatory activities:
- Organization of grazing. Sheep are grazing animals. They are unpretentious in food and consume more plants than cows and goats.
- Providing premises. In winter it is necessary. Particular attention should be paid to pregnant mothers during the cold season. The structure must have ventilation, be warm and dry.
- Bathing- basic hygiene procedure. This is the best prevention for mange, which is difficult to cure in sheep. Bathing should be carried out at least twice a year: in the spring - 15-20 days after shearing and in the summer before grouping the flocks. Disinfectants are added to the water.
- Hoof trimming. The procedure is done 4 times a year. If it is not produced, the sheep will develop lameness, it may develop foot rot, the disease is severe and requires long-term treatment.
Rams are even more unpretentious than sheep. Caring for them is no different. You should monitor their diet and avoid fatigue during the breeding season.
Proper care directly affects productivity; in just a year, the livestock can be significantly increased. This is the main challenge when using sheep as a business.
With a flock of 200 animals and more and proper maintenance, you can cover all annual expenses, live for a year and support a shepherd and auxiliary workers.
Feeding
Animal grazing
In summer, sheep obtain the bulk of their diet on pastures on their own. You can specifically sow a certain area with cereals and perennial herbs.
Wetlands, water meadows and forest belts are not suitable for grazing. There is little nutrition here, which will significantly reduce livestock productivity.
When kept in stalls, Romanov breed sheep are fed in special pens equipped with feeders.
Feeding in a special pen
The main food in summer is mown grass, preferably clover, a mixture of legumes and cereals. You can give a moderate amount of concentrated, succulent, roughage feed.
Sheep should drink clean water twice a day: morning and evening.
Animals are fed hay in winter. One adult animal needs about 2 kg of food per day.
Young animals should not be fed forest and swamp hay; it contains poisonous herbs that can cause poisoning in lambs and lead to death. Instead of hay, they can be given chaff or soft straw.
Oats are used as a concentrate. Barley can be given in small quantities; its excess leads to obesity. Bean flour enriches the diet with protein. Root vegetables are succulent food.
To improve the quality of wool, Romanov sheep are fed with the addition of salt, chalk and bone meal.
Hay - winter diet for sheep
With the onset of winter, ewes, lambs and rams are fed high quality hay. This helps them transition to dry food. Spring ewes and castrated rams are fed less nutritiously.
From the age of one week, the lamb is fed with bran and mixed feed, and from three weeks it is accustomed to silage and legume hay.
During the mating period, breeding rams are given milk feed to improve the quality of the seminal fluid.
Fertility and breeding
A ewe gives birth to two lambs per lamb, sometimes four or five are born. These animals have no equal in fertility. In a short period of time, 10 or 20 heads can be used to breed a large stock. Each ewe gives birth twice a year.
When raising sheep, you need to constantly monitor their behavior. Sexual heat in sheep can begin at any time, including the lactation period.
They reach sexual maturity at 3.5-4 months, but it is too early to let them near rams.
First mating
First mating carried out when the sheep has gained 80% of the weight of an adult female, i.e. it will weigh 40 kg. She will gain this weight by 7 months of age.
A probe ram is introduced to the uterus and, based on their behavior, it is determined which of the females are ready to conceive. They are transferred to a special pen, in which fertilization is carried out twice a day: in the morning and in the evening.
Sexual hunting lasts from 60 to 120 hours (2.5-5 days). A fertilized ewe carries a baby for an average of 145 days.
Sheep Lambing
For winter lambing, feed and warm sheepfolds are prepared. Young animals born in winter will be able to feed themselves by the grazing season.
Lambing in the spring allows the queens to return to pasture, but the cubs cannot fully graze and by autumn their weight gain is lower than that of winter lambs.
A few days before the babies are born, the hair on the hind legs and udder is cut off.. When lambing approaches, the sheep bleats loudly and often lies down and gets up. One individual gives birth to 2-4 cubs.
A lactating female can only provide milk for three babies, so breeders often switch them to piece feeding.
Lambing occurs within 30-50 minutes. Usually no human intervention is required. The exceptions are the following cases:
- incorrect position of the fetus;
- not rupture of the amniotic sac;
- no placenta coming out for five hours.
If the lamb does not reach the udder in the first minutes of life, it will die of starvation. A person must help the babies: find the woman in labor and slip the baby to the mother’s udder.
Ewe with newborn lamb
The newborns and the mother are transferred to a separate cage, where they get used to each other. The more lambs born in one lamb, the smaller and weaker they are.
Anaerobic dysentery in lambs
A dangerous disease in newborn lambs is anaerobic dysentery. The pathogenic virus enters the baby’s body through the udder, dirty bedding or unsterile equipment.
Diarrhea in lambs should be treated with antibiotics, hyperimmune serum and synthomycin..
For prevention, the queens are immunized a month before lambing.
Artificial insemination
Industrial sheep breeding
Reproduction of Romanov sheep is carried out by artificial insemination, natural and manual mating methods. In industrial breeding, rams are used as sperm donors.
Artificial insemination has a number of advantages:
- reducing the cost of meat by reducing the number of inseminators;
- all fertilized females are accounted for and are under control;
- quality characteristics of the offspring are guaranteed;
- minimizing the risk of infectious diseases.
Sheep can be bred unregulated, then they will breed all year round if there is a ram in the herd.
Romanov sheep breeding occurs quickly. With good care and favorable conditions, the livestock can be tripled in a year.
In specialized farms they work according to plan. Mating is carried out in one stage to produce offspring of the same age.
Price
Now young animals of the Romanov breed are in great demand. Foreign breeders purchase it for crossing and improving the characteristics of the breeds being bred.
This type of sheep is ideal for organizing a private business.. Romanov sheep are not difficult to keep and breed, and the quality products obtained from them are in demand on the market.
How much Romanov lamb costs depends on the purpose of its purchase. An individual up to 15-18 kg can be bought for 3.5-4 thousand rubles. The price of breeding young animals varies from 200 to 450 rubles. per 1 kg of live weight.
At a breeding farm, a good line of lamb can cost the buyer $300. For example, the cost of breeding Romanov sheep at Agrofirm Avangard in the Yaroslavl region is:
- bright 6-10 months, weighing 30-40 kg - 17,050 rub. behind the head;
- rams 8-12 months, weight 40-60 kg -26,400 rub. behind the head.
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