Sheep of the Romanov breed belong to the coarse-haired group of breeds. They are especially well adapted to living in the northern regions of Russia. The process of breeding and keeping Romanov sheep has its own characteristics.
Features of the Romanov breed of sheep
Sheep of the Romanov breed can be conditionally divided into three main types according to the build-up of the skeleton: strong, rough and tender. The strong type includes sheep, in which all parts of the body are developed in proportion. Usually such animals produce high quality sheepskin. The coarse type should include sheep with a coarse coat. Their fleece usually contains a lot of transitional fiber. When deployed, it is black in color. The sheepskin of this type is often ugly. As for the gentle type of sheep of the Romanov breed, these animals have a fluff content much higher than the percentage of wool. Therefore, the sheepskin is of poor quality. When turned, the fleece is white. The minimum amount of wool is obtained from such animals.
Breeding process
Regardless of the season, Romanov sheep can go into a state of sexual hunt. So, from one ewe you can get three lambs in two years. The period of sexual estrus usually lasts up to 5 days. Sheep of this breed become mature at the age of 3.5 months. But the first mating should come when the mass of the ewe reaches 35 kg.
When the lamb approaches, the representative of the breed begins to bleat very loudly. Often times, the birthing process takes place without the intervention of a veterinarian. It is known that Romanov queens have a very high milk production. In about 100 days of lactation, one individual can bring up to 300 kg of milk. This is more than enough to properly feed three lambs.
Feeding in the summer
The Romanov sheep are not adapted for long-term stable rearing. During the stall period, animals should be kept in large rooms equipped with special feeders. Hay and straw are used as bedding.
Sheep should be gradually switched to pasture feed. During the week, you can add hay and concentrates to feed. It is not recommended to use meadows and marshlands for subsequent grazing. Tall vegetation is very difficult to feed.
The main feeds in the summer time include: root crops and silage, hay and straw, as well as chaff and twig feed. Additionally, the sheep can be given urea and mineral supplements.
Stall feeding
In winter, hay is the main food for the representatives of the Romanov breed. Wormwood and clover hay are considered especially nutritious, but sour and coarse-stemmed hay is not recommended. Ewes are supposed to feed up to 2 kg of hay per day. Sometimes it can be replaced with soft straw.
Root crops and mineral feed are considered especially useful for sheep. The latter are indispensable for young animals and ewes. One Romanov sheep should consume about 3 kg of salt and chalk, as well as bone meal per year. At the beginning of the winter stall period, animals are tried to be fed with more nutritious feed. But gradually there is a transition to chaff and spring straw.
