What is the history of Imroz Sheep?

The Imroz Sheep (Gökçeada) breed takes its name from the Turkish island 15 km west of the Gallipoli Peninsula. The breed is also found on the mainland on Turkey in the provinces of Çanakkale and Baliskesir. The breed has been known for more than a hundred years. The breed is one of the smallest among the sheep breeds in the country.

What are the characteristics of Imroz Sheep?

• The fleece is white and covers the top of the head and the trunk to the belly, which is bare.
• Commonly black or reddish-brown patches occur around the eyes, the nose, and the tips of the ears.
• The head is narrow; the bridge of the nose straight in profile.
• The legs are white and bare of wool.
• The tail is of medium width, reaching to just below the hocks.
• Imroz ewes polled or has small scurs.
• Imroz Rams develop horns which spread widely in open spiral.
• Annual Imroz Sheep milk production per ewe varies widely from 50 kg to 150 kg. Lactation length 150 - 170 days.
• Lambing occurs once a year, and at the rate of 129 percent.
• The breed is shorn twice a year; annual wool production per head is about 1.5 kg to 2 kg.
• The fleece, which hangs in curled locks 25 cm to 30 cm long is not uniform in quality.
• Although the average fibre diameter is 35–40 μm, coarse wiry examples 36s to 40s in quality are found, and the value of the wool is correspondingly low.
• Imroz Sheep are known to be hardy, resistant to cold weather, and relatively free from disease.

What is the weight of mature Imroz Sheep?

Imroz ewes live weight is reported to be from 35 to 40 kg, Imroz Rams live weight is about 50 to 60 kg.