Description of Suffolk sheep
Sheep breeding is developed all over the world, in many countries this type of animal husbandry occupies a leading place in the industry, and therefore the variety of breeds is amazing. One of them, the Suffolk sheep breed, comes from England. It is the result of crossing the Norfolk Horned and Southdown species.
Characteristics of Suffolk sheep
This breed was registered in 1810. The resulting individuals differed from their progenitors in all respects, taking the best from them. The work of breeders has brought the variety to almost perfection. After that, the Suffolks quickly gained recognition and rapidly spread throughout Europe, America, Australia, and won leading positions in farming.
Rock properties
Suffolk is a meat-wool, hornless breed. Individuals are adapted to long transitions, as well as to survive in adverse weather conditions due to endurance, strong muscles and physical strength. The body is covered with a golden yellow coat, the head and legs are covered with dark, almost black hair. Suffolk rams produce 4-5 kg of wool, and sheep give 3-3.5 kg.
Suffolk is a rather large and tall ram, the growth of an adult is about 80 cm, and the weight varies from 110 to 150 kg. There is a good growth rate: 200-380 g per day, lethal yield - 55-60%. Sheep, unpretentious in food, can eat pasture for a long time and gain weight, have high immunity, and are resistant to diseases. Suffolk sheep are actively used for crossing and breeding.
Characteristic signs
One of the features of this species is excellent hereditary memory and high reproductive productivity. Due to this ability, Suffolks have stable intra-breed characteristics. Crossbreeding with representatives of other breeds gives excellent crosses with various improved qualities of mutton.
Uterus give birth at a frequency of 1 p / year. The lamb weighs 5-8 kg, twins of 4-5 kg and triplets of 3-4 kg are often found. With good feeding, after 3 months the weight of the lamb will be 30-45 kg, after another 3 months it will reach an acceptable age for breeding.
Suffolk sheep are also renowned for their extremely tasty and nutritious meat, the main characteristics of which are:
- lack of a specific smell;
- natural juicy and soft taste;
- easy digestibility by the body.
Also, the composition of meat contains useful substances:
- fluoride, useful for the prevention of tooth decay;
- lecithin, which helps prevent diabetes and improves the functioning of the pancreas.
Also, this species is famous for its high-quality wool - one of the best in the world. The net yield of wool from one individual is more than 50%. Shearing takes place 2 times a year, while from the female you can get 2-3 kg at a time, and from the male - 3-5 kg. The products are renowned for their wear and durability.
Breeding benefits
Breeding and cultivating the Suffolk breed is profitable and promising. Unpretentiousness to food, endurance and strong immunity provides:
- versatility of content (pasture, stall);
- resistance to diseases and parasites;
- long life cycle;
- fertility productivity;
- nutritious and healthy meat;
- wool of excellent quality.
The meat and wool of this breed make it a favorite among the rest. Good breeding performance and good hereditary memory make it possible to engage in selective breeding. Suffolk sheep are in demand when creating crosses for quick growth of lambs, weight gain, and getting lean meat.
Breeding Suffolk sheep is a profitable business
A feature of the Suffolk Sheep is excellent performance in interbreeding. This is multi-fruiting: there are about 130-190 lambs per 100 lambs, but they bear fruit once a year. After crossing with Suffolk rams, the birth rate of sheep of polyester breeds increases and this happens already 2 times a year, and lambs are obtained with improved meat characteristics.
Output
For farmers who have decided to master sheep breeding or expand an existing farm, the Suffolk breed can be definitely recommended. The breed takes a leading position around the world in all respects: meat, wool, early maturity, fertility, productivity. Also, this breed has excellent hereditary characteristics, which increases its ability to adapt to various regions with the most severe climatic conditions, where individuals of other breeds simply will not survive.
The breeding qualities of the rams of this breed cannot be ignored either. The animals are ideal for breeding. All these advantages of the breed will keep it among the leaders among its colleagues all over the world for a long time to come.