The Vendeen breed of sheep is very old, the locals bred it by folk selection, selecting the best individuals for reproduction over several hundred years. In the early 20th century, the French improved the local breed by crossing queens with Southdown rams. Thanks to this crossing, the offspring inherited high precocity. What is remarkable about the Vendean sheep, we will consider further.
Vendée sheep breed
External characteristics
Representatives of the French breed have a proportional body and a strong constitution. External characteristics:
- sheep growth – 75 cm, uterus – 65-70 cm;
- male weight – 80-130 kg, sheep – 60-110 kg;
- trunk downed barrel-shaped;
- limbs are short but powerful;
- the head is compact with a graceful profile;
- the wool is thick, soft, the thickness of the fibers is 30-35 microns;
- the length of wool fibers is 6-8 cm;
- the color is predominantly light brown.
Productivity
The Vendean sheep breed shows good productivity both in terms of meat and wool. Lamb obtained from these animals is valued for its high palatability. Fat fibers are evenly distributed, so that the meat is marbled. It is juicy and sweet in taste.
Vendée sheep quickly gain weight. A newborn lamb weighs 4-6 kg, but after 4 months the body weight of a lamb increases 10 times. The average daily gain is 400-500 grams. At the age of 4-6 months, sheep are given for slaughter, because at this moment the lamb has an excellent taste.
Attention! The slaughter yield of meat in Vendée sheep is 50%, and the pure pulp in the carcass contains 75-80%.
Although the Vendean sheep have short wool, it is very thick. The thickness of its fibers ranges from 35 microns. For a year, from one adult male it is possible to collect 3-5 kg of wool raw materials, and from a ewe a little less – 2-4 kg. The yield of wool after washing is 60%.
Breeding
Since the representatives of the French breed are precocious, already at the age of one year their weight is close to the mass of an adult.
To breeding are allowed bright, which is one year old
To breeding are allowed bright, which is one year old. They are very prolific. For a year, 100 queens bring 190-200 lambs.
Attention! Vendée ewes often have difficult lambing because the lambs are large. Females need help during childbirth.
Advantages of the breed
After getting acquainted with this breed line, its advantages become obvious:
- precocity
- fertility;
- good quality rune;
- high meat productivity;
- excellent taste of meat.
Vendée sheep of the meat and wool direction are popular and in demand in their homeland. There are more than 250 thousand ewes, not counting rams. In Russia, these animals are not bred, because the local climate does not suit them.
