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Alai Sheep


What is the history of Alai Sheep?

The Alai sheep is a domestic sheep which was originated from Kyrgyzstan. Raised for both meat and wool production. It is a fat rumped breed, and was developed in the early twentieth century from Kirgiz Fat-rumped crossed with Precoce and Sary-Ja breeds.

The Alai Sheep is specifically adapted to living conditions of the Alay Valley region (above 3 km (1.9 mi) above sea level).

What are the characteristics of Alai Sheep?

Rams can be either horned or polled (hornless). However, ewes are hornless. The wool is white with occasional spots on their legs and heads. The wool is semi-coarse and used in carpet.

Wool weight of ewes is 2.5-3.0 kg and that of rams is 4.5-5.5 kg.

The clean fleece yield is 65-70%.

Lambs are weaned at 4 to 5 months. They weigh around weaning time about 28 to 32 kg. 

The carcass weight of 5 or 6-month-old lambs is 15 kg. The ratio of meat to bone is high around 6:0.

The fleece is heterogeneous, white, glistening and hanging in pointed locks.

Genuine fleece represents 56.7% of the downy, middle of the road fleece for 13.7% and protects hairs for 29.6% Kemp is uncommon.

The Rams height at the withers is 82 cm and Ewes are around 75 cm.

The normal staple length is 17-30 cm and the normal fleece fiber length is 8-12 cm.

The Alai breed has one curious element: most sheep don’t shed as other fat-rumped sheep do.

What is the weight of mature Alai Sheep?

Alai Rams : 100 kg
Alai Ewes : 60 kg

Picture: www.alairescues.org

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H Cetin KATIRCI
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