Although black sheep are not as popular in breeding as white or gray, they are valued on a par with the rest. The only exception is wool, because dark fleece is difficult to dye in other shades. Black-haired sheep are mainly found among meat breeds. The fine and semi-fine coats usually flaunt white as it is in high demand. And yet, among the sheep with black wool, there are very numerous species – the most famous of them are presented below.
Andean
Strong individuals bred by breeders in the north of Dagestan – in the mountains. The dense and rough coat is a distinguishing feature, as is great hardiness due to habitat and breeding. There are white and pitch black shades.
Features of the variety:
- the wool is uniform, braided, which makes it possible to make thin cloths and warm cloaks from it (they are famous for their impermeability);
- females are rarely more than 40 kg, and males – 55 (medium-sized breed);
- 50-57 percent meat after slaughter;
- from a male you can get 2,5 kg of wool, from a female – 2;
- spring and autumn haircuts give a yield of raw materials in the range of 67-80%;
- there are horns.
Karachaevskaya
A universal variety, which is famous for its indicators of meat, milk and wool productivity. There are three types of dark color:
- Tumak is a black sheep, hornless. Meat direction.
- Kara-muyuz – black-haired silky subspecies, straight or wavy braids. Horned.
- Kökbash – the largest representatives, gray wool.
Kara-muyuz yields good quality wool. Tumak boasts both the quality of the wool and the great weight. Kekbash gives the highest meat yield of the three “brothers”.
The meat of Karachai black species is popular all over the world. For example, in Bordeaux (France) there is still a restaurant serving dishes only from Karachai sheep. To do this, the owners breed them on their own, maintaining a constant livestock in the local herd.
Interesting fact! The Karachay breed is credited with remarkable immunity, unique for animals due to its selective nature.
These animals are considered unpretentious and tolerant of different weather conditions.
Balwen
White-nosed Welsh sheep are known for having the popular white-coloured black-nosed sheep in their brethren. A distinctive feature led to the fact that the Balvenovsky breed was given a different name due to the spot by which they can be identified from afar – fiery sheep.
Characteristic of the Balwen breed are also considered:
- low weight indicators: females – up to 50-55 kg, males – up to 60-65;
- different colors – not only black sheep, but gray and brown;
- intended purpose – mainly meat.
Other breeds also have black coats. Basically, such sheep are intended for breeding for meat, but some varieties are also used in the flock direction.
The number of black-haired in the general livestock will forever remain small compared to the light brothers.
Interesting fact! Romanov individuals, famous in the Russian Federation, have black lambs, but in adulthood they are predominantly light.