Askanian Explained

Askanian
Image Alt:Askanian
Also Known As:Асканійський, Askaniysky, Асканійська тонкорунна вівця
Country:Ukraine
Use:Wool
Maleweight:115sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2
Femaleweight:61sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2
Femaleheight:69sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2
Woolcolor:White
Horns:Rams are horned and ewes can be either horned or polled (hornless)

Askanian (Ukrainian: Асканійський|Askaniysky, full name: Ukrainian: Асканійська тонкорунна вівця) is a breed of domesticated sheep found in Ukraine. It is a fine-wool breed bred for its wool. It was developed by crossing American Rambouillet with Merinos in the early 1900s.[1]

Characteristics

Both sexes display white and are unicolored. Rams are horned and ewes can be either horned or polled (hornless). On average and at maturity, rams weigh 115sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2. Ewes weigh 61sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2, grow to 69sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 at the withers when mature and have approximately 1.27 lambs per litter. In 1980, there were over 1.6 million.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Askanian. Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University, Dept. of Animal Science. 2009-05-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20090607094244/http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/askanian/index.htm. 7 June 2009 . live.
  2. Web site: Askanian/Ukraine. Breed data sheet. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. 2009-05-13.