What is the history of Gökçeada Sheep?

The names Gokçeada or Imroz are used for the breed; however it is more frequently referred to as Gokçeada. Gokçeada is a Turkish island in the Aegean Sea, off northwestern Anatolia. On this island the breed has been known for more than a hundred years.

Gökçeada sheep are bred pure. However, a crossbreeding experiment involving this breed and the East Friesian (Sönmez and Alpbaz. 1975).

It is the only breed raised on the Gökçeada island. This sheep is also raised on the mainland in the province of Çanakkale.

What are the characteristics of Gökçeada Sheep?

• The colour is white, with black marks around the mouth, nose and eyes and on the ears and rarely on the tip of the legs.
• The tail is thin and long, usually reaching below the hocks.
• Rams have strong spiral horns extending sideways; ewes are usually polled but up to 30 percent of the ewes may have small scurs.
• The head is narrow and its profile is straight.
• The wool is very coarse and long, and it covers the top of the head.
• Shearing is usually done twice a year.
• The breed is one of the smallest among the sheep breeds in the country.
• Gökçeada reach sexual maturity at 16 months old.
• They have an average of 1.3 lambs born per lambing, with lambs averaging 3.7 kgs at birth.

What is the weight of mature Gökçeada Sheep?

Gökçeada ram is in the range of 55 kg and a mature ewe 45 kg.