Balkhi (sheep)
Encyclopedia
The Balkhi is a domesticed breed
of sheep found in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan
and adjoining areas of Afghanistan
. This breed is of the fat-tailed mutton type. Though this breed does grow wool
, it is primarily raised for meat.
The Balkhi displays black, tan or grey. They yield approximately 2 kg (4.4 lb) of coarse wool with an average 43.5 micrometre diameter. This breed has a low fiber density.
The ears are somewhat long, the body is muscular and compact. The tail is fat and tucked. Both sexes are horned.
On average at maturity, rams weigh 70 kg (154.3 lb) and ewes 70 kg (154.3 lb). Rams grow to approximately 87 cm (34.3 in) and ewes 74 cm (29.1 in) at the withers. Ewes lactate for about 105 days and produce 60 kg (132.3 lb) of milk on average during this period. At birth, rams weigh 5.2 kg (11.5 lb) and ewes weigh 3.8 kg (8.4 lb).
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of sheep found in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and adjoining areas of Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. This breed is of the fat-tailed mutton type. Though this breed does grow wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
, it is primarily raised for meat.
Characteristics
The Balkhi displays black, tan or grey. They yield approximately 2 kg (4.4 lb) of coarse wool with an average 43.5 micrometre diameter. This breed has a low fiber density.
The ears are somewhat long, the body is muscular and compact. The tail is fat and tucked. Both sexes are horned.
On average at maturity, rams weigh 70 kg (154.3 lb) and ewes 70 kg (154.3 lb). Rams grow to approximately 87 cm (34.3 in) and ewes 74 cm (29.1 in) at the withers. Ewes lactate for about 105 days and produce 60 kg (132.3 lb) of milk on average during this period. At birth, rams weigh 5.2 kg (11.5 lb) and ewes weigh 3.8 kg (8.4 lb).