The Romney March sheep are of English origin. They belong to the meat-wool direction of productivity. These animals are distinguished by strong immunity, good fertility, high quality wool and tasty and nutritious meat. Read more about the origin of the breed, its characteristics, features of keeping and breeding.
Sheep romney march
History of the breed
The Romney March sheep breed appeared in England, in the county of Kent. Since ancient times, local residents have been engaged in sheep breeding, and this occupation has been favored by rich plain vegetation. At the disposal of the British were sheep, distinguished by a strong physique. They gave a lot of wool and meat, but were late maturing.
In the 13th century, they began to cross with long-haired leisters to improve early maturation and endurance. Hereditary crosses met the needs of local sheep breeders, the breed continued to be improved for several centuries. In 1895, the Romney March sheep was officially registered.
Description and characteristics
English sheep are distinguished by a strong physique. Consider the external characteristics of animals:
- the weight of a ram reaches 120 kg, of the uterus – 80-91 kg;
- the body is elongated barrel-shaped;
- the back is fleshy, even;
- limbs are straight, strong;
- the chest is deep, wide;
- the head is small, the profile is straight;
- nostrils dark;
- the muzzle is white, the hair grows to the level of the eyes;
- polled animals;
- wool is white, uniform;
- fiber length – 18-20 cm.
Romney march sheep are hardy, perfectly adapted to a humid climate. Breeders claim that these animals almost never suffer from parasites, foot rot and rarely suffer from infectious diseases. However, in the conditions of the Non-Black Earth Region, they adapt poorly. Eating sparse vegetation, foreign sheep suffer from beriberi. For this reason, female fertility decreases, and the offspring is born weak and unviable.
Appearance of romney march sheep
Productivity
The wool of the Romney March sheep is semi-fine and thick. The fibers are well crimped, the fleece has a staple structure. It is possible to collect 12-13 kg of raw wool from one adult ram per year. Queens produce less wool, but it is finer and rated higher. Shearing from a sheep per year is 6 kg. After washing, the net yield of fleece exceeds 58%.
Attention! The quality of the fineness of the Romney March sheep is high – level 48-58.
Representatives of the English breed are precocious. They inherited this quality from their ancestors – the Leicesters. By the age of 4 months, lambs gain weight of 38-40 kilograms. The slaughter yield of meat in Romney March sheep is 50-54%. The fertility of females is at an average level. For a year, the uterus increases the livestock by 130%.
Keeping and breeding
Romney-march sheep are undemanding to the conditions of keeping. In summer, they spend most of their time on pastures, and these animals are able to travel long distances. If the weather is favorable, the flock may spend the night away from the pen. In the cold season, animals are kept in a sheepfold, next to which a walking area is equipped. Fresh air and an active lifestyle have a positive effect on the health of sheep and the condition of their wool.
The area of the barn is calculated based on the number of livestock. For each adult, 2-4 m2 is allocated. Separate compartments are arranged for queens with lambs. Feeders and drinkers are placed inside. The room is regularly cleaned and the straw bedding is changed, and the inventory is disinfected.
In summer, the basis of the diet of animals is green grass from pastures. In winter, the sheep menu includes:
- hay;
- vegetables;
- grain crops (wheat, bran);
- vitamins and mineral supplements.
Bran
Attention! Water in the drinkers should always be, you need to monitor its purity. Each individual drinks 6-10 liters of water per day.
Breeding is allowed for bright, whose weight is close to the mass of adult animals – 65-70 kg, but not earlier than the sheep is 1 year and 4 months old. Early mating is undesirable, since most of the nutrients received by the uterus will be spent on the growth and development of the female, and not the offspring.
Lambing at Romney-march sheep occurs once a year. The queens give birth to 1 lamb, less often – 2. When lambing, complications almost never occur. Lambs are born with a weight of 4,5-5 kg, after which they grow rapidly. Daily weight gain reaches 400-500 grams. At the age of four months, the lambs are already quite well-fed and weigh almost 40 kg.
Romney March sheep are often used to improve the performance of other breeds. Their offspring are distinguished by well-developed muscle mass and rapid growth, and also have a thick and soft coat. The English breed deserves the attention of sheep breeders who are interested in meat and wool sheep. But we must not forget that these animals feel good only on fertile lands with rich vegetation.
