IMPORTANT SHEEP BREEDS IN INDIA

IMPORTANT SHEEP BREEDS IN INDIA

1. “IMPORTANT SHEEP BREEDS IN INDIA” Presented b y , A . S . R a t h o d R M A C , Nabha , Jal n a .

2. The sheep were domesticated about 6000 to 7000 years ago. There are forty four breeds of sheep found in India. The chromosome number of sheep is 2n = 54. In India, the fourth position of sheep population in the world. The average age at first service of sheep is about 12-18 months. Generally, breeding was done in the winter season. Breeding span of the sheep is 5-8 years.

3. Details Expression Details Expression Species called as… Ovis Aries Castrated male … Wedder or weather Group of animals… Flock Castrated female…. Spayed Adult male…. Ram Adult female … Ewe Act of parturition…. Lambing Young male … Lamb Act of mating …. Tupping Young female … Ewe lamb Sound produced …. Bleating New born one … Lamb Pregnancy …. gestation

4. Indian Sheep Breeds Northern Temperature Origin North-West and Semiarid Origin Gaddi Kashmir, HP Chokla Rajasthan Bhakarwal No distinct Home Marwari Rajasthan Poonchi Kashmir Jaisalmeri Rajasthan Kashmir Merino -- Malpura Rajasthan Changthangi Kashmir Sonadi Rajasthan, Gujrat Rampur Bushair UP and HP Pattanwadi Gujrat Gurez Kashmir Hissardale Uttar Pradesh Karnah Kashmir Avivastra -- Bharat merino Uttar Pradesh Nail Rajasthan, Haryana Magra Rajasthan Pugal Rajasthan Muzaffarnagari Uttar Pradesh, Delhi Jalauni Uttar Pradesh Munjal Rajastan

5. Indian Sheep Breeds Southern Origin Eastern Origin Deccani Maharashtra Chottanagpuri Bihar and West Bengal Nellore Andhra Pradesh Ganjam Orissa Bellary Karnataka Balangir Orissa Mandya Karnataka Shahabadi Bihar Madras Red Tamil Nadu Tibetan Arunachal Pradesh Coimbtore Kerala, Karnataka Bonpala Sikkim Hassan Karnataka Garole -- Mecheri Tamil Nadu Kilakarsal Tamil Nadu Vembur Tamil Nadu Nilgiri Tamil Nadu Ramnad white Tamil Nadu Tiruchi black Tamil Nadu Kenguri Karnataka

6. Classification According to Functions Garments Carpet Wool Meat and Carpet Wool Meat Kashmir Merino Chokla Muzzarfarnagri Nellore Nilgiri Nail Jalauni Mandya Hissardale Pattanwadi Beccani Hassan Karnah Tibetan sheep Bellary Mecheri Gaddi Ganjam Kilakarsal Rampur bushair Balanagir Vembur Bhakarwal Shahbadi Ramanand white Poonchi Chottanagri Madras red Gurez Coimbtore Trichy black Changthangi Marvari kanguri Gaddi Jaisalmeri Pugal Malpura Sonadi Bonpala

7. Northern temperate region sheep This region comprises J&K, HP, & hilly areas or part of UP. About 25 % of the wool produce and is suitable for appearl and superior quality of carpet wool . In JK state found 30 % sheep in northern region . Other parts of these region are crosses of native breeds with exotic fine wool breed

8. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character This breed is also known as Bhadarwah It is native to Kishtwar and Bhadarwah tehsils of Jammu and it is widely distributed in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand . Body : Medium size animal . Head : Broad and long, forehead. Horns : Males are horn,10-15 % female are horn . Colour : It is found in wide range of coat colors i.e. brown, black, tan and mixture of these colors. This breed has white color wool. Body wt. : Male : 30-40 kg, Female : 26 kg Ave. wool. Yield : The average wool yield is 437-696 gm. depending upon their age. Age at First Calving : 10-14 month of age. Ave Wool. Length : The adult gaddi sheep has an average weight of 29.8kg to 34kg and an average body length is 64-69cm. Remark : The wool of this sheep breed is used to manufacture Kullu shawls & blankets. 1. Gaddi

9. 1. Gaddi Male

10. 2. Gaddi Female

11. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Simla , Kinnaur , Nahan , Bilaspur , Solan and Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh and Dehradun, Rishikesh , Chakrota and Nainital districts of Uttar Pradesh. Body : Medium-sized animals. Head : The face line is convex, giving a typical Roman nose. Horns : The males are horned; most females are polled . Ear : The ears are long and drooping . Hairs : The fleece is of medium quality and dense . Tail :  Legs, belly and face are devoid of wool. Colour : The fleece colour is predominantly white, with brown, black and tan also seen on the fleece in varying proportions. Wool production: 1 to 1.5 kg annual. Remark : Pure breeding, except in limited areas where the State Department of Animal Husbandry has initiated cross-breeding with exotic fine-wool breeds ( Rambouillet and Merino). The cross- breds show improvement in both fleece production and quality. 2. Bhakarwal

12. 1. Bhakarwal Male

13. 2. Bhakarwal Female

14. Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Distributed in the Changthang region of Ladakh . Body : Strongly-built, large-framed animals with good fleece cover which has an extraordinarily long staple. Horns : The males are horned; most females are polled . Ear : The ears are long and drooping . Body wt. : Male : 35 kg Female : 25 – 30 kg Ave. wool. Yield : The average wool yield is 1 – 1.5 kg. Age at First Calving : 10-14 month of age. Ave Wool. Length : The adult Changthangi sheep has an average weight of 29.8kg to 34kg and an average body length is 64-69cm. Gestation period : 151 days Remark : Some cross-breeding with Merinos has been initiated for improving greasy-wool production and quality for fine apparel-wool. 3. Changthangi

15. 3. Changthangi Male

16. 3. Changthangi Female

17. Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Simla , Kinnaur , Nahan , Bilaspur , Solan , and Lahul ans PSITI vally of H.P. and Dehradun, Rishikesh , Chakrota , Nainital district of U.P. Body : Medium sized .legs , belly and face are devoid of wool. Fleece : Fleece colours is predominantly white , with brown , black and tan also seen on the fleece in varying proportions. Horns : Most female are pold . Colour : White , with brown , black Ear : The ears are long and drooping . Body wt. : 12 month age Male : 17 - 20 kg Female : 16 kg Ave. wool. Yield : 1 – 1.5 kg Staple Length : 7 – 9 cm Ave. fibre diameter : 35 micron. Medulation % : 24 Gestation period : 150 days 4. Rampur Bushair

18. 4. Rampur Bushair Male

19. 4. Rampur Bushair Female

20. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Distributed in the Gurez area of Northern Kashmir. Body : Largest of the sheep breeds in Jammu & Kashmir. Horns : A small proportion of the animals have small, pointed horns. Ear : Ears are long, thin and pointed. Tail : Tail is thin and short. Colour : Generally white in colour , although some animals are brown or black or have brown or black spots. Fleece : Fleece is generally coarse and hairy. Ave. wool. Yield : The average wool yield is 0.5–1 kg. Age at First Calving : 10-14 month of age. Ave Wool. Length : The adult gurez sheep has an average weight of 29.8kg to 34kg and an average body length is 64-69cm. Gestation period : 151days Remark : This breed is being crossed with Merino for improving apparel-wool production and quality. 5. Gurez

21. 5. Gurez Male

22. 5. Gurez Female

23. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Karnah breed is primarily found in Karnah , a mountainous tehsil of Kupwara district in North Kashmir. . Body : They are large animals. Head : The face is generally devoid of wool , Horns : The rams have large curved horns and a prominent nose line . Ear : The ears are small to medium in length tubular. Colour : The wool is generally white in colour .  Body wt. : Male : 31 kg Female : 38 kg Ave. wool. Yield : The sheep are shorn twice a year, in spring and autumn, and produce between 1 to 1.5 kg of wool each per year.  Ave. steple length : 12 to 15 cm Ave. medulation % : 24–28 Ave. fibre density : 1 – 1.5 cm. Ave. fiber diameter : 29 and 32 μ.  6. Karanah

24. 6. Karanah female

25. 6. Karanah male

26. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Poonchi breed, as its name suggests, is native to the Poonch and Rajouri districts of the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir. Body : Light to Medium sized with compact stature. Ear : The ears are medium long. Legs : The legs are also short, giving a low-set conformation.  Tail : The tail is short and thin. Colour : The Poonchi breed is similar in appearance to the Gaddi , but lighter in colour . Animals are predominantly white, including the face, but spotted sheep are also seen, varying from brown to light black. Body wt. : Male :  35 to 40 kg Female : 25 to 30 kg Ave. wool. Yield : Sheep are shorn three times a year and produce between 0.9 to 1.3 kg of greasy wool each per year.  Ave. steple length : 15 to 18 cm Ave. medulation % :24–28 Ave. fibre density : 1 – 1.5 cm. Ave. fiber diameter : 22 to 30 μ.  Remark : 7. Poonchi

27. 7. Poonchi Female

28. 7. Poonchi male

29. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Kashmir This breed originated from crosses of different Merino type with predominantly migrtory native sheep breed such as Gaddi , Bhakarwal and Poonchi . The level of inhertance varies from very low to almost 100 % Merino through a level from 50 – 75 %predominates. The animal are highly variable because of the involvement of anumber nativebreed . Ave. wool. Yield : 2 - 3 kg Ave. steple length : 15.6 cm Ave. medulation % :24–28 Ave. fiber diameter : 20.4 micron 8. Kashmir merino

30. Northern western arid and semi- aried region sheep Breed . This region comprises Punjab, Haryana,Rajastan , Gujrat , and some parts of UP & MP. About 64 % of the wool produce and the quality of wool is not fine and thus use for carpet manufacture . The region is very favourable for sheep farming and the flocks are of stationary, semi- migratory or migratary type. The region has about 13.1 million sheep population and produce 22.1 million kg or 64% of the total wool.

31. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Chapper and Shekhawati Churu , Sikaner ,and Bikaner Jaipur and Nagur district of rajastan . Body : Light to Medium sized with compact stature. Head : The face is generally devoid of wool , Horns : Both sexes are polled. Ear : The ears are small to medium in length tubular. Colour : The wool colour is reddish brown or dark brown , The skin is pink. Body wt. : Male : 34 kg Female : 24 kg Ave. wool. Yield : 1100 gm. Ave. steple length : 4 cm Ave. medulation % :24–28 Ave. fibre density : 1 – 1.5 cm. Ave. fiber diameter : 28 micron 1. Chokla

32. 1. Chokla Male

33. 1. Chokla Female

34. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character It is found in Jhunjhunu , Churu and Ganganagar districts of Rajasthan, Rohtak and Hissar districts of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. . Body :  It is a medium sized animal. Head : The face is generally devoid of wool , Horns : Both sexes are polled. Ear and tail : medium and tubular ears, short and thin tail . Colour : It has light brown color face, pink color skin, Body wt. : Male : 39 kg Female : 32 kg Ave. wool. Yield : The average wool yield is 1.5-3kg. Ave. steple length : 8 cm Ave. medulation % : 30 - 31 Ave. fibre density : 1 – 1.5 cm. Ave. fiber diameter : 28 micron Remark - This breed is used for wool and meat production and is not used for milk production. 2. Nali

35. 2. Nali Male

36. 2. Nali Female

37. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Marwar region of Western Rajasthan which encompasses Jodhpur, Jalore , Nagaur , Pali , Sirohi and Barmer districts Body :  Marwari sheep are strong, well built and medium in size.  Head : The face is typically black, the colour extending to the lower part of the neck.  , Horns : Both sexes are polled. Ear and tail :  The ears are extremely small and tubular. The tail is short to medium and thin  Colour : It has light brown color face, pink color skin, Body wt. : Male : 30 kg Female : 26 kg Ave. wool. Yield : The average wool yield is 1.6 kg. Ave. steple length : 6 cm Ave. medulation % : 65. Ave. fibre density : 1,720 cm2. Ave. fiber diameter : 37 μ  micron Remark - This breed is used for wool and meat production and is not used for milk production. 3. Marwari

38. 3. Marwari Male

39. 3. Marwari Female

40. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The  Magra sheep , also known as  Bikaneri Chokhla  or  Chakri  and formerly known as the Bikaneri This is a breed of sheep that is found in the  Bikaner ,  Nagaur ,  Jaisalmer  and  Churu districts  of  Rajasthan ,  India .  Body :  Medium to large animal.  Horns : Both sexes are polled. Ear and tail :  The ears are extremely small and tubular. The tail is short to medium and thin  Colour : White face with light brown patches around the eyes,, pink color skin, Body wt. : Male : 28 kg Female : 24 kg Ave. wool. Yield : The average wool yield is 1.6 kg. Ave. steple length : 5 cm Ave. medulation % : 65. Ave. fibre density : 1,720 cm2. Ave. fiber diameter : 3 2 μ  micron Dressing % - Pre-slaughter live wt basis- 44.75% 3. Magra

41. 4. Magra Male

42. 4. Magra Female

43. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character They are also locally known as Laapdi and Bhagli   The Sonadi breed is found in the Mewar region of Rajasthan comprising Udaipur, Dungarpur , Chittaurgarh and Banswara districts.  Body :  They are well-built, somewhat smaller than the Malpura with long legs. Horns : Both sexes are polled. Ear and tail :  long flat drooping ears. The tail is long and thin.  Colour : They have a light brown face with the colour extending to the middle of the neck Body wt. : Male : 40 kg Female : 29 kg Ave. wool & milk Yield : The average annual fleece weight is 900 gms , The lactation period is 105 days and the yield is about 24 kg.  Ave. steple length : 5 cm Ave. medulation % : 88. Ave. fibre density : 635 cm2. Ave. fiber diameter : 53 μ icron Dressing % - Pre-slaughter live wt basis- 44.75% 5. Sonadi

44. 5. Sonadi Male

45. 5. Sonadi Female

46. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Patanwadi (also called Desi , Kutchi , Kathiawari , Vadhiyari and Charotari )   is found in the coastal plains of the Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat, and the sandy loamy areas of Patan , Panch Mahals and Mehsana districts of Gujarat. .  Body :  with a larger body and long legs, a typical Roman nose and long tubular ears.  Horns : Both sexes are polled. Ear and tail :  long flat drooping ears. The tail is long and thin.  Colour : Red and brownish colour . Body wt. : Male : 33 kg Female : 27 kg Ave. wool. Yield : The average annual fleece weight is 1.17 kg for rams and 1.03 kg for ewes.  Ave. steple length : 8 cm Ave. medulation % : 30 . Ave. fibre density : 960 cm2. Ave. fiber diameter : 32 μ  Remark :  Patanwadi is a superior carpet-wool breed and requires efforts for conservation. % 6. Pathanwadi

47. 6. Pathanwadi Male

48. 6. Pathanwadi Female

49. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Patanwadi (also called Desi , Kutchi , Kathiawari , Vadhiyari and Charotari )   The Pugal breed originates from the Pugal tehsil of Bikaner district of Rajastan . They are fairly well-built animals with a distinct black face with small light brown The black colour may extend to the neck. Ears are short and tubular. Both sexes are polled. The tail is short to medium and thin and the fleece is white, of medium carpet quality, not very dense. In farmers' flocks, age at first breeding for ewes is 15 months and for rams it is 18 months. The litter size is generally single. Body wt. : Male : 33 kg Female : 27 kg Ave. wool. Yield : The average annual fleece weight is 1.60 kg   Ave. steple length : 8 cm Ave. medulation % : 62. Ave. fibre density : 960 cm2. Ave. fiber diameter : 35 μ  Remark :  Patanwadi is a superior carpet-wool breed and requires efforts for conservation. % 7. Pugal

50. 7. Pugal Male

51. 7. Pugal Female

52. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Muzaffarnagri , also known as Bulandshahri The breed is native to the Muzaffarnagar , Bulandshaher , Saharanpur, Meerut and the Bijnor districts of Western Uttar Pradesh. The breed is primarily maintained for meat, however, it also produces fleece of coarse carpet quality. The breed is one of the heaviest and largest of India’s sheep breeds. The face and body are white with occasional patches of brown or black. The ears and face are occasionally black. Both sexes are polled. The ears are long and drooping. The tail is extremely long and reaches the fetlock. The belly and legs are devoid of wool. Age at first lambing is between 16 to 18 months; lambing percentage ranges from 60 to 95%. The litter  Body wt. : Male : 50kg Female : 40 kg Ave. wool.& milk Yield : Daily milk yield ranges from 300 to 500 ml with a lactation period of 120 to 180 days.  fleece weight is about 600 gm to 1 kg.     Ave. steple length : 4 cm Ave. medulation % : 69. Ave. fibre density : 2811 cm2. Ave. fiber diameter : 35 μ  % 8. Muzzafarnagri

53. 8. Muzzafarnagri Male

54. 8. Muzzafarnagri Female

55. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character   They are distributed across the Jaisalmer , Barmer and Jodhpur districts of Rajasthan. Pure specimens are found in south western Jaisalmer , north western Barmer and southern and western Jodhpur. The body size, this is the largest breed among the eight breeds of Rajasthan, and produces good quality carpet-wool. They are tall, well-built animals, with black or dark brown faces, with the colour extending up to the neck. Other characteristics include a typical Roman nose and long drooping ears, generally with a cartilaginous appendage. Both sexes are polled. The tail is medium to long and the fleece colour is white.  Body wt. : Male : 54 kg Female : 34 kg Ave. wool. Yield : he average greasy fleece weight per clip is 753 gm    Ave. steple length : 6 cm Ave. medulation % : 40 . Ave. fiber diameter : 35 μ  Remark : Shearing is done three times a year.  9. Jaisalmeri

56. 9. Jaisalmeri Male

57. 9. Jaisalmeri Female

58. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character It is native to Ajmer, Chitaurgarh , Bhilwara , Bundi and Kota districts of Rajasthan. Its name is derived from Tonk district in Rajasthan. Fairly well built animal with long legs. It has light brown color face, short and tubular ears, long and thin tail, and white, coarse and hairy fleece. Both sexes are polled. White flace , extremely coarse and hairy. Belly legs are devoid of wool. Body wt. : Male : 49 kg Female : 37 kg Ave. wool. Yield : The average annual fleece weight is 1.08 kg. Milk - Its average milk yield is 300-500gm/day.   Ave. steple length :5.6 cm Ave. medulation % : 71 . Ave. fibre density : 626 cm2. Ave. fiber diameter : 28 μ  10. Malpura

59. 10. Malpura Male

60. 10. Malpura Female

61. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Patanwadi (also called Desi , Kutchi , Kathiawari , Vadhiyari and Charotari )   The Jalauni breed is distributed across the Jalaun , Jhansi and Lalitpur districts of Uttar Pradesh. The Jalauni are medium-sized animals, with a straight nose line. The colour of the body is white with a light brown or black head. Both sexes are polled. Ears are large, flat and drooping and the tail is thin and medium in length. The fleece is coarse, short-stapled and open, generally white. The belly and legs are devoid of wool.  Jalauni sheep are maintained for meat and wool. Body wt. : Male : 36 kg Female : 27 kg Ave. wool. Yield : The wool quality is coarse and shearing is done three times a year, with an average wool production of  about 150-200 gm per clip.  Milk- 300 – 350 gm per day.  Ave. medulation % : 70. Ave. fiber diameter : 41 μ μ  11. Jalauni

62. 11. Jalauni Male

63. 11. Jalauni Female

64. synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Hissardale originated in the earlier part of the century at the Government Livestock Farm, Hissar (Punjab, now Haryana), through crossing Australian Merino rams with Bikaneri ( Magra ) ewes; the exotic inheritance is stabilized at about 75%. Morphological Characteristics Body : Small, low-set appearance Body coat : Colour is predominantly white, although some brown or black patches can be observed. Horns : Most are polled Ears : Leaf-like, medium-sized Legs : Short Morphometric traits Body weight : Adult males: 54.5-59 kg; Adult females: 34-36 kg Body length : Adult males: 65 cm; Adult females: 57.5 cm Height at withers : Adult males: 70.5 cm; Adult females: 58 cm Chest girth : Adult males: 101.75 cm; Adult females: 90 cm Ave. wool. Yield : Fleece (annual) : 2.27-2.72 kg 12. HISARDALE

65. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character This breed is superior carpet wool strain has been evolved at the CSWRI Avikanagar through inter breeding and selection for gracy fleece weight from Rambouillet x Malpura half bred base . Ave. wool. Yield : 2 - 3 kg Ave. steple length : 4.75 cm Ave. medulation % :27 Ave. fiber diameter : 27 micron 13. AVIKALIN

66. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Origin Bharat Merino sheep developed by crossbreeding indigenous  Chokla  and   Nali sheep  with  Rambouillet and Merino rams  and stabilised at 75% exotic inheritance has the potential as an import substitute for exotic fine wool inheritance. Ave. wool. Yield : 2.5 kg. Ave. medulation % :20 Ave. fiber diameter : 19 - 20 micron 14. Bharat merino

67. 14. Bharat merino

68. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character This breed is fine wool breed has been evolved at the CSWRI Avikanagar through inter breeding and selection for Rambouillet x Chokla half bred base . Ave. wool. Yield : 2 - 3 kg Ave. steple length : 4.5 cm Ave. medulation % :24–28 Ave. fiber diameter : 21 -22 micron 15. AVIVASTRA

69. Southern Region Sheep Breed . This region comprises Maharashtra , A.P, Karnatka , Tamilnadu and Kerala. About 28% of the wool produce and the quality of wool is very coarse ,hairy, and coloured fleece . The region has about 39 million sheep population and produce 9.68 million kg or 28 % of the total wool.

70. Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and widely distributed in Pune, Kolhapur, Ahmednagar , Solapur , Nasik and Aurangabad Body : Medium-sized animals, predominantly black or black with white markings; white and brown/fawn animals are also seen. In a Maharashtra survey, distribution of colour was 54.92% completely black, 21% black with white or brown spots on head and 24% black or white with brown spots. Colour : Black Deccani and White Deccani Weigt : Ram- 38 kg Ewes -28 kg. Ave. wool yield is 700 gm Ave. steple length :8 cm Ave. medulation % : 73 . Ave. fibre density : 734 cm2. Ave. fiber diameter : 52 μ  1. Deccani

71. 1. Deccani Male

72. 1. Deccani Female

73. Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Nellore district and neighbouring areas of Prakasham and Ongole districts of Andhra Pradesh . Three varieties are distinguished, primarily on the basis of colour : “ Palla ”, completely white or white with light brown spots on head, neck, back and legs; “ Jodipi ” (also called “ Jodimpu ”), white with black spots, particularly around the lips, eyes and lower jaw, but also on belly and legs; and “Dora”, completely brown. A survey of 279 sheep showed 52.7% Palla , 34.04% Jodipi , and 13.43% Dora. Dressing percentage on pre-slaughter live-weight basis: 47.00  (39) ; feed conversion efficiency: 15.06%; age at slaughter: 6 months. Body wt. : Male : 36 kg Female : 30 kg Production - The breed is famous for only mutton and thus their body which is densly covered with short hair are never shorn. Ewes are late maturing and not very prolific 2. Nellore

74. 2. Nellore Male

75. 2. Nellore Female

76. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Distribution . Bellary district of Karnataka . Not very different from Deccani . Sheep found to the north of the Tungabhadra River are called “ Deccani ” and those to the south of it, “Bellary”. Body : Medium-sized animals, with body colour ranging from white through various combinations of white and black to black . One third of the males are horned; females are generally polled. Ears are medium long, flat and drooping; Tail is short and thin; Fleece is extremely coarse, hairy and open; belly and legs are devoid of wool. Production : The breed is famous for only mutton. Body wt. : Male : 35 kg Female : 27 kg 3. Bellary

77. 3. Bellary Male

78. 3. Bellary Female

79. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character also known as Bannur and Bandur Mandya district and bordering Mysore district of Karnataka. The best meat breed of the country as far as conformation is concerned, although body weights, weight gains, feed conversion efficiency and carcass yield are not very superior to most other breeds. Body : . Relatively small animals. Colour is white, but in some cases face is light brown, and this colour may extend to the neck. Compact body with a typical reversed U-shape conformation from the rear. Ears are long, leafy and drooping; Tail is short and thin; A large percentage of animals carry wattles. Slightly Roman nose. Both sexes are polled. Coat is extremely coarse and hairy. . Production : The breed is famous for only mutton. Body wt. : Male : 34 kg Female : 23 kg 4. Mandya

80. 4. Mandya Male

81. 4. Mandya Female

82. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Chingalpet and Madras districts of Tamil Nadu. Medium-sized animals. Body colour is predominantly brown, the intensity varying from light tan to dark brown; some animals have white markings on the forehead, inside the thighs and on the lower abdomen. Ears are medium long and drooping; Tail is short and thin; Rams have strong corrugated and twisted horns; the ewes are polled. The body is covered with short hairs which are not shorn. Yield : : The breed is famous for only mutton. Dressing percentage on pre-slaughter live-weight basis: 41.15% . 5. Madras Red

83. 5. Madras Red Male

84. 5. Madras Red Female

85. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Coimbatore and Madurai districts of Tamil Nadu and bordering areas of Kerala and Karnataka. Medium-sized animals white with black or brown spots. Ears are medium-sized and directed outward and backward; Tail is small and thin. 38% of the males are horned; females are polled. Fleece is white, coarse, hairy and open. Mortality - . 0 to 3 months: 11.43%  3 to 12 months: 17.39%  adults: 7.75%  Dressing percentage on pre-slaughter live-weight basis: 38 % . Dressing percentage on pre-slaughter live-weight basis at 6 months: 38.20%  , all ages: 39.30%  Wool production- 500 gm to 1000 gm per year. Ave. steple length :6 cm Ave. medulation % : 58 . Ave. fibre density : 376 cm2. Ave. fiber diameter : 41 μ  6. Coimbtore

86. 6. Coimbtore Male

87. 6. Coimbtore Female

88. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Hassan district of Karnataka. Small animals. White body with light brown or black spots; of 135 animals surveyed, 18 were completely white, 39% white with light brown or black spots on the head, and the rest white with light brown, brown or black spots on different parts of the body. Ears are medium-long and drooping; 39% of the males are horned; females are usually polled. Fleece is white, extremely coarse and open; legs and belly are generally devoid of wool. Average annual fleece weight: 300–400 g Mortality rate - Young: 10 to 20%; adults: 10 to 15%. In farmers' flocks: lambing percentage: 85%; litter size: single 7. Hassan

89. 7. Hassan Male

90. 7. Hassan Female

91. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Mecheri , Kolathoor , Nangavalli , Omalur and Tarmangalam Panchayat Union areas of Salem district and Bhavani taluk of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. Medium-sized animals, light brown in colour . In one survey, 48% of the animals were completely light brown, 14% light brown with white spots on head, 18% light brown with sides of the body white, 18% light brown with white spots on different parts of the body, and 2% completely white. Ears are medium-sized; Both sexes are polled. Tail is short and thin; Body is covered with very short hairs which are not shorn. Body wt – male – 35 kg . Female-23 kg. Reproduction - Age at first breeding: 15 months; lambing percentage: 80 to 85%; litter size: single. Mortality. Under farm conditions: 0 to 12 months: 9.29%  (4 517) ; adults: 7.49%  (4 792) . In farmers' flocks: young and adults: 15 to 20%. Dressing percentage on the basis of pre-slaughter live-weight (25): 54.70%. The skin is of the highest quality of sheep breeds in India and is highly prized. 8. Mecheri

92. 8. Mecheri Male

93. 8. Mecheri Female

94. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character also known as Keezhakkaraisal , Karuvai , Keezha Karauvai , Ramnad Karuvi and Adikarasial Ramnathpuram , Madurai, Thanjavur and Ramnad districts of Tamil Nadu. Body : Medium-sized animals. Coat is dark tan, with black spots on head (particularly the eyelids and lower jaw), belly and legs. Ears are mediumsized ; Tail is small and thin; Males have thick twisted horns, 2 to 3 cm in length. Most animals have wattles. Body wt – male – 31 kg . Female-23 kg. Reproduction - Under farm conditions: lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available: 78.6% . In farmers' flocks: lambing percentage: 80%. Litter size: single. Mortality - 0 to 12 months: 24.94%  adults: 7.28%  9. Kilakarsal

95. 9. Kilakarsal Male

96. 9. Kilakarsal Female

97. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character also called Karandha i Vembur , Melakkarandhai , Keezhakarandhai , Nagalpuram , Kavundhanapatty , Achangulam and some other villages of Pudur Panchayat Union and Vilathikulam Panchayat areas of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Tall animals. Colour is white, with irregular red and fawn patches all over the body. Ears are medium-sized and drooping; Tail is thin and short; Males are horned; ewes are polled. The body is covered with short hairs which are not shorn. Body wt – male 34kg. female – 27kg. Reproduction – In farmers' flocks: lambing percentage: 80%; litter size: single. Under farm conditions : lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available: 71.61%  Mortality - In farmers' flocks: young: 10 to 15%; adults: 10%. Under farm conditions: 0 to 3 months: 12.93%; 3 to 12 months: 18.81%; adults: 13.22%. 10. Vembur

98. 10. Vembur Male

99. 10. Vembur Female

100. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Nilgiri hills in Tamil Nadu Nilgiri , evolved during the 19th century, originated from a cross-breed base and contains an unknown level of inheritance of Coimbatore, the local hairy breed, Tasmanian Merino, Cheviot and South Down. Body : Medium-sized animals. Body colour is white; exceptionally there are brown patches on face and body. Face line is convex, giving a typical Roman nose. Ears are broad, flat and drooping; ear length: 12.12 ± 0.10 cm  (82) . Males have horn buds and scurs ; females are polled. The tail is medium and thin; tail length: 19.60 ± 0.41  (82) . The fleece is fine and dense. Reproduction - Under farm conditions: lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available . litter size: single. Mortality - 0 to 3 months: 17.40%  3 to 12 months: 3.62% adults: 6.66%  Body wt – male 30 kg .Female – 26 kg. 11. Nilgiri

101. 11. Nilgiri Male

102. 11. Nilgiri Female

103. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Ramnad district and adjoining areas of Tirunalveli district of Tamil Nadu Medium-sized animals, predominantly white; some animals have fawn or black markings over the body. The ears are medium-sized and directed outward and downward; Males have twisted horns; females are polled. Tail is short and thin Under farm conditions: lambing percentage: 72.55%  litter size: single. 0 to 3 months: 2.19%  3 to 12 months: 24.79%  adults: 11.37% In farmers' flocks: young: 10 to 15%; adults: 10%. Body wt – male 31 kg .Female – 22 kg. 12. Ramnad White

104. 12. Ramnad white Male

105. 12. Ramnad white Female

106. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Perambalur and Ariyalur taluks of Tiruchy district.Tirupathur and Tiruvannamalai taluks of North Arcot district and Dharampuri and a portion of Krishnagiri taluk of Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Small animals. Body is completely black. Males are horned; ewes are polled. Ears are short and directed downward and forward; Tail is short and thin. The fleece is extremely coarse, hairy and open. Body wt – male 25 kg .Female – 18 kg . Reproduction - In farmers' flocks: lambing percentage: 70 to 80%; litter size: single. Imortality - n both young and adults: about 20%. Average fleece yield: 0.400 kg. 13. Tiruchi black

107. 13 . Tiruchi black Male

108. 13 . Tiruchi black Female

109. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character Hilly tracts of Raichur district (particularly Lingasagar , Sethanaur and Gangarati taluks ) of Karnataka. Medium-sized animals. Body colour is mostly dark brown, but colours ranging from white to black with spots of different shades are also to be observed. Males are horned; females are generally polled. Body wt – male -32 Female-26 Prodution - In farmers' flocks: lambing percentage: 80 to 85%; litter size: single. Mortality - Young: 10 to 20%; adults: 10%. 14. Kenguri

110. 14 . Kenguri Male

111. 14 . Kenguri Female

112. Eastern Region Sheep Breed . This region comprises state Bihar, West Bengal , Orissa, Assam , Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh , Mizoram , Manipur, Tripura , Nagaland , Sikkim . About 2 % of the wool produce and 3.2 million sheep maintained for meat meat .

113. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Chhotanagpuri breed is mainly found in Jharkhand, with a few numbers in Bihar. They are small, light-weight animals, light grey and brown in colour . Ears are small and parallel to the head, The tail is thin and short and the fleece is coarse, hairy and open. The animals are shorn thrice a year in March-April, June-July and October-November Both sexes are polled. They are considered a coarse carpet wool breed. Ave. Wool Yield : produce a yearly average of 180 g of hairy wool Ave. medulation % : 84. Ave. fiber diameter : 52.54 μ 1. Chottanagpuri

114. 1. Chottanagpuri Male

115. 1. Chottanagpuri Female

116. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Ganjam breed of sheep is native to the Ganjam , Koraput , Phulbani and parts of the Puri districts of Odisha . These are medium-sized, slender and leggy animals with the coat colour ranging from brown to dark tan; some have white spots on the face and body. The ears are medium-sized and drooping, and the tail is medium long and thin. The males are horned, while the ewes are polled. The fleece is hairy and short, and is not sheared. Rams, however, have long hair below the neck and hindquarters. Ganjam sheep are primarily maintained for meat. Lambing percentage varies from 60-90% and the litter size is mainly single. Breeding is pure.  Body wt – male – 26kg . Female – 24 kg . 2. Ganjam

117. 2. Ganjam Male

118. 2. Ganjam Female

119. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Balangir breed of sheep is native to the north western districts of Balangir , Sambalpur , and Sundargarh in Odisha . They are medium-sized animals, white or light brown or of mixed colours . A few animals are also black. The ears are small and stumpy. While the males are horned, ewes are polled. The tail is medium long and thin. The fleece is extremely coarse, hairy and open, and the legs and belly are devoid of wool. The flock size ranges from 3 to 24 animals.  In farmers' flocks lambing percentage is about 84.3% and the litter size is single. Body wt – male – 24kg . Female – 18 kg . 3. Balangir

120. 3. Balangir Male

121. 3. Balangir Female

122. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Shahabadi , is native to the erstwhile Shahabad (subsequently bifurcated into the Bhojpur , Rohtas and Buxar districts), Patna and Gaya districts of Bihar They are medium sized leggy animals. The fleece colour is mostly grey, sometimes with black spots. Ears are medium-sized and drooping, and the tail is extremely long and thin. Both sexes are polled. The fleece is extremely coarse, hairy and open, and the legs and belly are devoid of wool. Flocks generally comprise 5 to 6 rams and 70 to 80 adult ewes and their young. Body wt – male – 24kg . Female – 18 kg . The average annual fleece weight is 240 gms with an average fibre diameter of 50 μ and a medullation percentage of 87.   4. Shahabadi

123. 4. Shahabadi Male

124. 4. Shahabadi Female

125. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Tibetan sheep are found in northern Sikkim and the Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. They produce excellent, lustrous, carpet-quality wool. Tibetan sheep are medium sized animals, primarily white with a black or brown face. Often brown and white spots are also observed on the body. Both sexes are horned. The nose line is convex, giving a typical Roman nose. The ears are small, broad and drooping. The fleece is relatively fine and dense. The belly, legs and face are devoid of wool. Animals are shorn twice a year, in April/May and October/November The fleece weight per clip is 400 – 900 gm with an average fibre diameter of 13 μ and a medullation percentage of 19.  The animals are pure-bred, with the exception of some cross-breeding with Merino that has been introduced in the Kameng district to improve fleece production and quality.   5. Tibetan

126. 5. Tibetan Male

127. 5. Tibetan Female

128. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Bonpala breed is native to southern Sikkim. The animals are tall, leggy and well-built. The fleece colour ranges from completely white to completely black with a number of intermediary shades, and the quality is coarse, hairy and open . The ears are small and tubular and both sexes are horned. The tail is thin and short and the belly and legs are devoid of wool. Shearing is generally undertaken twice annually producing about 400-500 grams of wool per year.   The average fibre diameter is 66 μ with a medullation percentage of 95.  6. Bonpala

129. 6. Bonpala Male

130. 6. Bonpala Female

131. Synonyms Home Tract Physical Character Economic Character The Garole breed is native to the hot, humid and swampy Ganges delta of West Bengal. It is a small-sized animal, reared for meat, and plays a vital role in the economic subsistence of marginal farmers. It has a compact and square body with a small head, medium ears and a short thin tail. Grey and white are the predominant colours .   Males are usually horned and females are polled. The fleece is open and very coarse and, though not dense, covers almost the whole body and a major part of the legs. Garole ewes breed around the year with two lambing peaks between December to February and August to September.  Multiple births are common. The animals are usually not shorn, though some farmers shear the animal and use the wool for bedding material. 7. Garole

132. 7. Garole Male

133. 7. Garole Female