IMPORTANT SHEEP BREEDS IN INDIA

“IMPORTANT SHEEP BREEDS IN
INDIA”
Presented by,
A.S.Rathod
RMAC, Nabha, Jalna.

 The sheep were domesticated about 6000 to 7000 years ago.
 There are forty four breeds of sheep found in India.
 The chromosome number of sheep is 2n = 54.
 In India, the fourth position of sheep population in the world.
 The average age at first service of sheep is about 12-18 months.
 Generally, breeding was done in the winter season.
 Breeding span of the sheep is 5-8 years.

Details Expression Details Expression
Species called
as…
Ovis Aries Castrated male … Wedder or
weather
Group of
animals…
Flock Castrated female…. Spayed
Adult male…. Ram
Adult female … Ewe Act of
parturition….
Lambing
Young male … Lamb Act of mating …. Tupping
Young female
…
Ewe lamb Sound produced …. Bleating
New born one
…
Lamb Pregnancy …. gestation

Indian Sheep Breeds
Northern
Temperature
Origin North-West and
Semiarid
Origin
Gaddi Kashmir, HP Chokla Rajasthan
Bhakarwal No distinct
Home
Marwari Rajasthan
Poonchi Kashmir Jaisalmeri Rajasthan
Kashmir Merino -- Malpura Rajasthan
Changthangi Kashmir Sonadi Rajasthan,
Gujrat
Rampur Bushair UP and HP Pattanwadi Gujrat
Gurez Kashmir Hissardale Uttar Pradesh
Karnah Kashmir Avivastra --
Bharat merino Uttar Pradesh
Nail Rajasthan,
Haryana
Magra Rajasthan
Pugal Rajasthan
Muzaffarnagari Uttar Pradesh,
Delhi

Indian Sheep Breeds
Southern Origin Eastern Origin
Deccani Maharashtra Chottanagpur
i
Bihar and West
Bengal
Nellore Andhra
Pradesh
Ganjam Orissa
Bellary Karnataka Balangir Orissa
Mandya Karnataka Shahabadi Bihar
Madras Red Tamil Nadu Tibetan Arunachal
Pradesh
Coimbtore Kerala,
Karnataka
Bonpala Sikkim
Hassan Karnataka Garole --
Mecheri Tamil Nadu
Kilakarsal Tamil Nadu
Vembur Tamil Nadu
Nilgiri Tamil Nadu

Classification According to Functions
Garments Carpet Wool Meat and Carpet
Wool
Meat
Kashmir
Merino
Chokla Muzzarfarnagri Nellore
Nilgiri Nail Jalauni Mandya
Hissardale Pattanwadi Beccani Hassan
Karnah Tibetan sheep Bellary Mecheri
Gaddi Ganjam Kilakarsal
Rampur
bushair
Balanagir Vembur
Bhakarwal Shahbadi Ramanand
white
Poonchi Chottanagri Madras red
Gurez Coimbtore Trichy black
Changthangi Marvari kanguri
Gaddi Jaisalmeri
Pugal

Northern temperate region
sheep
This region comprises J&K, HP, & hilly areas or
part of UP.
About 25 % of the wool produce and is suitable for
appearl and superior quality of carpet wool .
In JK state found 30 % sheep in northern region .

This
breed is
also
known
as
Bhadarw
ah
It is native to
Kishtwar and
Bhadarwah
tehsils of
Jammu and it
is widely
distributed in
Himachal
Pradesh and
Uttarakhand.
Body : Medium size
animal.
Head : Broad and long,
forehead.
Horns : Males are
horn,10-15 % female
are horn .
Colour : It is found in
wide range of coat
colors i.e. brown, black,
tan and mixture of
these colors. This breed
has white color wool.
Body wt. : Male : 30-40
kg,
Female : 26 kg
Ave. wool. Yield :
The average wool
yield is 437-696 gm.
depending upon their
age.
Age at First Calving
: 10-14 month of age.
Ave Wool. Length :
The adult gaddi
sheep has an average
weight of 29.8kg to
34kg and an average
body length is 64-
69cm.
Remark : The wool of
this sheep breed is
used to manufacture
1. Gaddi

Simla, Kinnaur,
Nahan,
Bilaspur, Solan
and Lahaul and
Spiti districts of
Himachal
Pradesh and
Dehradun,
Rishikesh,
Chakrota and
Nainital
districts of
Uttar Pradesh.
Body : Medium-sized
animals.
Head : The face line is
convex, giving a typical
Roman nose.
Horns : The males are
horned; most females
are polled .
Ear : The ears are long
and drooping.
Hairs : The fleece is of
medium quality and
dense.
Tail : Legs, belly and
face are devoid of wool.
Colour : The fleece
colour is predominantly
white, with brown,
black and tan also seen
Wool production: 1
to 1.5 kg annual.
Remark : Pure
breeding, except in
limited areas where
the State Department
of Animal Husbandry
has initiated cross-
breeding with exotic
fine-wool breeds
(Rambouillet and
Merino). The cross-
breds show
improvement in both
fleece production and
quality.
2. Bhakarwal

Distributed in
the
Changthang
region of
Ladakh.
Body : Strongly-built, large-
framed animals with good fleece
cover which has an
extraordinarily long staple.
Horns : The males are horned;
most females are polled .
Ear : The ears are long and
drooping.
Body wt. : Male : 35 kg
Female : 25 – 30 kg
Ave. wool. Yield : The
average wool yield is 1 –
1.5 kg.
Age at First Calving :
10-14 month of age.
Ave Wool. Length : The
adult Changthangi sheep
has an average weight of
29.8kg to 34kg and an
average body length is
64-69cm.
Gestation period : 151
days
Remark : Some cross-
breeding with Merinos
has been initiated for
3. Changthangi

Simla,
Kinnaur,
Nahan,
Bilaspur,
Solan, and
Lahul ans
PSITI vally of
H.P. and
Dehradun,
Rishikesh,
Chakrota,
Nainital
district of U.P.
Body : Medium sized .legs ,
belly and face are devoid of
wool.
Fleece : Fleece colours is
predominantly white , with
brown , black and tan also seen
on the fleece in varying
proportions.
Horns : Most female are pold.
Colour : White , with brown ,
black
Ear : The ears are long and
drooping.
Body wt. : 12 month age
Male : 17 - 20 kg
Female : 16 kg
Ave. wool. Yield : 1 –
1.5 kg
Staple Length : 7 – 9 cm
Ave. fibre diameter : 35
micron.
Medulation % : 24
Gestation period : 150
days
4. Rampur Bushair

Distribut
ed in the
Gurez
area of
Northern
Kashmir.
Body : Largest of the sheep
breeds in Jammu &
Kashmir.
Horns : A small proportion
of the animals have small,
pointed horns.
Ear : Ears are long, thin and
pointed.
Tail : Tail is thin and short.
Colour : Generally white in
colour, although some
animals are brown or black
or have brown or black
spots.
Fleece : Fleece is generally
coarse and hairy.
Ave. wool. Yield :
The average wool
yield is 0.5–1 kg.
Age at First Calving
: 10-14 month of age.
Ave Wool. Length :
The adult gurez
sheep has an average
weight of 29.8kg to
34kg and an average
body length is 64-
69cm.
Gestation period :
151days
Remark : This breed
is being crossed with
Merino for improving
5. Gurez

The
Karnah
breed is
primarily
found in
Karnah, a
mountain
ous tehsil
of
Kupwara
district in
North
Kashmir..
Body : They are large
animals.
Head : The face is generally
devoid of wool ,
Horns : The rams have large
curved horns and a
prominent nose line .
Ear : The ears are small to
medium in length tubular.
Colour : The wool is
generally white in colour.
Female : 38 kg
Ave. wool. Yield :
The sheep are shorn
twice a year, in
spring and autumn,
and produce between
1 to 1.5 kg of wool
each per year.
Ave. steple length :
12 to 15 cm
Ave. medulation % :
24–28
Ave. fibre density :
1 – 1.5 cm.
Ave. fiber diameter :
29 and 32 μ.
6. Karanah

The
Poonchi
breed, as
its name
suggests,
is native
to the
Poonch
and
Rajouri
districts
of the
Jammu
region of
Jammu
and
Kashmir.
Body : Light to Medium
sized with compact stature.
Ear : The ears are medium
long.
Legs : The legs are also
short, giving a low-set
conformation.
Tail : The tail is short and
thin.
Colour : The Poonchi breed
is similar in appearance to
the Gaddi, but lighter in
colour. Animals are
predominantly white,
including the face, but
spotted sheep are also seen,
varying from brown to light
black.
Body wt. : Male : 35 to 40
Ave. wool. Yield :
Sheep are shorn
three times a year
and produce between
0.9 to 1.3 kg of
greasy wool each per
year.
15 to 18 cm
Ave. medulation %
:24–28
1 – 1.5 cm.
22 to 30 μ.
Remark :
7. Poonchi

Kashmir  This breed originated from
crosses of different Merino
type with predominantly
migrtory native sheep
breed such as Gaddi
,Bhakarwal and Poonchi.
 The level of inhertance
varies from very low to
almost 100 % Merino
through a level from 50 –
75 %predominates.
 The animal are highly
variable because of the
involvement of anumber
nativebreed .
Ave. wool. Yield : 2
- 3 kg
15.6 cm
Ave. medulation %
:24–28
20.4 micron
8. Kashmir merino

Northern western arid and semi-aried
region sheep Breed .
This region comprises Punjab, Haryana,Rajastan, Gujrat,
and some parts of UP & MP.
About 64 % of the wool produce and the quality of wool is
not fine and thus use for carpet manufacture .
The region is very favourable for sheep farming and the
flocks are of stationary, semi- migratory or migratary
type.
The region has about 13.1 million sheep population and

Chapper
and
Shekhaw
ati
Churu,
Sikaner
,and
Bikaner
Jaipur
and
Nagur
district of
rajastan .
Body : Light to Medium
sized with compact stature.
devoid of wool ,
Horns : Both sexes are
polled.
Ear : The ears are small to
medium in length tubular.
Colour : The wool colour is
reddish brown or dark brown
, The skin is pink.
Female : 24 kg
Ave. wool. Yield :
1100 gm.
4 cm
Ave. medulation %
:24–28
1 – 1.5 cm.
28 micron
1. Chokla

It is
found in
Jhunjhu
nu,
Churu
and
Gangana
gar
districts
of
Rajastha
n, Rohtak
and
Hissar
districts
of
Haryana
and Uttar
Pradesh..
Body : It is a medium sized
animal.
devoid of wool ,
polled.
Ear and tail : medium and
tubular ears, short and thin
tail.
Colour : It has light brown
color face, pink color skin,
Female : 32 kg
Ave. wool. Yield :
The average wool
yield is 1.5-3kg.
8 cm
Ave. medulation % :
30 - 31
1 – 1.5 cm.
28 micron
Remark - This breed
is used for wool and
meat production and
is not used for milk
production.
2. Nali

The
Marwar
region of
Western
Rajastha
n which
encompa
sses
Jodhpur,
Jalore,
Nagaur,
Pali,
Sirohi
and
Barmer
districts
Body : Marwari sheep are
strong, well built and
medium in size.
Head : The face is typically
black, the colour extending
to the lower part of the
neck. ,
polled.
Ear and tail : The ears are
extremely small and tubular.
The tail is short to medium
and thin
Colour : It has light brown
color face, pink color skin,
Female : 26 kg
Ave. wool. Yield :
The average wool
yield is 1.6 kg.
6 cm
Ave. medulation % :
65.
1,720 cm2.
37 μ micron
Remark - This breed
is used for wool and
meat production and
is not used for milk
production.
3. Marwari

The Magr
a sheep,
also
known
as Bikan
eri
Chokhla
or Chakri
and
formerly
known as
the
Bikaneri
This is a
breed of
sheep
that is
found in
the Bikan
er, Nagau
r, Jaisal
mer and
Churu
districts o
f Rajasth
an, India.
Body : Medium to large
animal.
polled.
Ear and tail : The ears are
extremely small and tubular.
The tail is short to medium
and thin
Colour : White face with
light brown patches around
the eyes,, pink color skin,
Female : 24 kg
Ave. wool. Yield :
The average wool
yield is 1.6 kg.
5 cm
Ave. medulation % :
65.
1,720 cm2.
32 μ micron
Dressing % - Pre-
slaughter live wt
basis- 44.75%
3. Magra

They are
also
locally
known as
Laapdi
and
Bhagli
The
Sonadi
breed is
found in
the
Mewar
region of
Rajastha
n
comprisin
g
Udaipur,
Dungarp
ur,
Chittaurg
arh and
Banswar
a
districts.
Body : They are well-built,
somewhat smaller than the
Malpura with long legs.
polled.
Ear and tail : long flat
drooping ears. The tail is
long and thin.
Colour : They have a light
brown face with the colour
extending to the middle of
the neck
Female : 29 kg
Ave. wool & milk
Yield : The average
annual fleece weight
is 900 gms, The
lactation period is
105 days and the
yield is about 24 kg.
5 cm
Ave. medulation % :
88.
635 cm2.
53 μicron
Dressing % - Pre-
slaughter live wt
basis- 44.75%
5. Sonadi

The
Patanwad
i (also
called
Desi,
Kutchi,
Kathiawa
ri,
Vadhiyari
and
Charotari)
is found
in the
coastal
plains of
the
Saurasht
ra and
Kutch
regions of
Gujarat,
and the
sandy
loamy
areas of
Patan,
Panch
Mahals
and
Mehsana
districts
Body : with a larger body
and long legs, a typical
Roman nose and long
tubular ears.
polled.
Ear and tail : long flat
drooping ears. The tail is
long and thin.
Colour : Red and brownish
colour .
Female : 27 kg
Ave. wool. Yield :
The average annual
fleece weight is 1.17
kg for rams and 1.03
kg for ewes.
8 cm
Ave. medulation % :
30.
960 cm2.
32 μ
Remark : Patanwadi
is a superior carpet-
wool breed and
requires efforts for
conservation.%
6. Pathanwadi

The
Patanwad
i (also
called
Desi,
Kutchi,
Kathiawa
ri,
Vadhiyari
and
Charotari)
The Pugal
breed
originates
from the
Pugal
tehsil of
Bikaner
district of
Rajastan.
 They are fairly well-built
animals with a distinct
black face with small light
brown The black colour
may extend to the neck.
 Ears are short and
tubular.
Both sexes are polled.
 The tail is short to
medium and thin and the
fleece is white, of medium
carpet quality, not very
dense.
 In farmers' flocks, age at
first breeding for ewes is
15 months and for rams it
is 18 months. The litter
size is generally single.
 Body wt. : Male : 33 kg
Female : 27 kg
Ave. wool. Yield :
The average annual
kg
8 cm
Ave. medulation % :
62.
960 cm2.
35 μ
Remark : Patanwadi
is a superior carpet-
wool breed and
requires efforts for
conservation.%
7. Pugal

The
Muzaffarn
agri, also
known as
Bulandsh
ahri
The breed
is native
to the
Muzaffar
nagar,
Bulandsh
aher,
Saharanp
ur,
Meerut
and the
Bijnor
districts
of
Western
Uttar
Pradesh.
 The breed is primarily
maintained for meat,
however, it also produces
fleece of coarse carpet quality.
The breed is one of the
heaviest and largest of India’s
sheep breeds. The face and
body are white with
occasional patches of brown
or black. The ears and face
are occasionally black. Both
sexes are polled. The ears are
long and drooping. The tail is
extremely long and reaches
the fetlock. The belly and legs
are devoid of wool. Age at first
lambing is between 16 to 18
months; lambing percentage
ranges from 60 to 95%. The
litter
 Body wt. : Male : 50kg
Female : 40 kg
Ave. wool.& milk
Yield : Daily milk
yield ranges from 300
to 500 ml with a
lactation period of
120 to 180
days. fleece weight is
about 600 gm to 1
kg.
Ave. steple length
: 4 cm
Ave. medulation % :
69.
2811 cm2.
35 μ
%
8. Muzzafarnagri

They are
distribute
d across
the
Jaisalmer
, Barmer
and
Jodhpur
districts
of
Rajastha
n.
 Pure specimens are found in
south western Jaisalmer, north
western Barmer and southern
and western Jodhpur.
 The body size, this is the largest
breed among the eight breeds of
Rajasthan, and produces good
quality carpet-wool.
 They are tall, well-built animals,
with black or dark brown faces,
with the colour extending up to
the neck. Other characteristics
include a typical Roman nose and
long drooping ears, generally with
a cartilaginous appendage. Both
sexes are polled.
 The tail is medium to long and the
fleece colour is white.
Female : 34 kg
Ave. wool. Yield :
he average greasy
fleece weight per clip
is 753 gm
6 cm
Ave. medulation % :
40.
35 μ
Remark :Shearing is
done three times a
year.
9. Jaisalmeri

It is
native to
Ajmer,
Chitaurg
arh,
Bhilwara,
Bundi
and Kota
districts
of
Rajastha
n. Its
name is
derived
from
Tonk
district in
Rajastha
n.
 Fairly well built animal
with long legs.
 It has light brown color
face, short and tubular
ears, long and thin tail,
and white, coarse and
hairy fleece.
 Both sexes are polled.
 White flace , extremely
coarse and hairy. Belly
legs are devoid of wool.
Female : 37 kg
Ave. wool. Yield :
The average annual
kg.
Milk - Its average
milk yield is 300-
500gm/day.
Ave. steple length
:5.6 cm
Ave. medulation % :
71.
626 cm2.
28 μ
10. Malpura

The
Patanwad
i (also
called
Desi,
Kutchi,
Kathiawa
ri,
Vadhiyari
and
Charotari)
The
Jalauni
breed is
distribute
d across
the
Jalaun,
Jhansi
and
Lalitpur
districts
of Uttar
Pradesh.
 The Jalauni are medium-
sized animals, with a
straight nose line. The
colour of the body is white
with a light brown or
black head.
 Both sexes are polled.
Ears are large, flat and
drooping and the tail is
thin and medium in
length.
 The fleece is coarse, short-
stapled and open,
generally white.
 The belly and legs are
devoid of wool.
 Jalauni sheep are
maintained for meat and
wool.
Ave. wool. Yield :
The wool quality is
coarse and shearing
is done three times a
year, with an average
wool production
of about 150-200 gm
per clip.
Milk- 300 – 350 gm
per day.
Ave. medulation % :
70.
41 μ μ
11. Jalauni

Hissardale
originated in
the earlier
part of the
century at
the
Government
Livestock
Farm,
Hissar
(Punjab,
now
Haryana),
through
crossing
Australian
Merino rams
with
Bikaneri
(Magra)
ewes; the
exotic
inheritance
is stabilized
at about
75%.
Morphological Characteristics
Body: Small, low-set appearance
Body coat: Colour is
predominantly white, although
some brown or black patches
can be observed.
Horns: Most are polled
Ears: Leaf-like, medium-sized
Legs: Short
Morphometric traits
Body weight: Adult males: 54.5-
59 kg; Adult females: 34-36 kg
Body length: Adult males: 65
cm; Adult females: 57.5 cm
Height at withers: Adult males:
70.5 cm; Adult females: 58 cm
Chest girth: Adult males:
101.75 cm; Adult females: 90 cm
Ave. wool. Yield :
Fleece (annual): 2.27-
2.72 kg
12. HISARDALE

 This breed is superior
carpet wool strain has
been evolved at the
CSWRI Avikanagar
through inter breeding
and selection for gracy
fleece weight from
Rambouillet x Malpura
half bred base .
- 3 kg
4.75 cm
Ave. medulation %
:27
27 micron
13. AVIKALIN

 Origin Bharat Merino
sheep developed by
crossbreeding
indigenous Chokla and
Nali
sheep with Rambouillet
and Merino rams and
stabilised at 75% exotic
inheritance has the
potential as an import
substitute for exotic fine
wool inheritance.
Ave. wool. Yield :
2.5 kg.
Ave. medulation %
:20
19 - 20 micron
14. Bharat merino

 This breed is fine wool
breed has been evolved at
the CSWRI Avikanagar
through inter breeding
and selection for
Rambouillet x Chokla
half bred base .
- 3 kg
4.5 cm
Ave. medulation %
:24–28
21 -22 micron
15. AVIVASTRA

Southern Region Sheep Breed .
This region comprises Maharashtra , A.P,
Karnatka, Tamilnadu and Kerala.
About 28% of the wool produce and the quality of
wool is very coarse ,hairy, and coloured fleece .
The region has about 39 million sheep population
and produce 9.68 million kg or 28 % of the total
wool.

Maharashtr
a, Andhra
Pradesh
and widely
distributed
in Pune,
Kolhapur,
Ahmednaga
r, Solapur,
Nasik and
Aurangabad
Body : Medium-sized animals,
predominantly black or black
with white markings; white and
brown/fawn animals are also
seen.
In a Maharashtra survey,
distribution of colour was
54.92% completely black, 21%
black with white or brown spots
on head and 24% black or white
with brown spots.
Colour : Black Deccani
and White Deccani
Weigt : Ram- 38 kg
Ewes -28 kg.
Ave. wool yield is
700 gm
Ave. steple length
:8 cm
Ave. medulation % :
73.
734 cm2.
52 μ
1. Deccani

Nellore
district and
neighbouring
areas of
Prakasham
and Ongole
districts of
Andhra
Pradesh.
Three varieties are
distinguished, primarily on the
basis of colour: “Palla”,
completely white or white with
light brown spots on head, neck,
back and legs; “Jodipi” (also
called “Jodimpu”), white with
black spots, particularly around
the lips, eyes and lower jaw, but
also on belly and legs; and
“Dora”, completely brown. A
survey of 279 sheep showed
52.7% Palla, 34.04% Jodipi, and
13.43% Dora.
Dressing percentage on pre-
slaughter live-weight basis:
47.00 (39); feed conversion
efficiency: 15.06%; age at
slaughter: 6 months.
Production - The breed
is famous for only
mutton and thus their
body which is densly
covered with short hair
are never shorn. Ewes
are late maturing and
not very prolific
2. Nellore

Distributio
n. Bellary
district of
Karnataka.
Not very different from Deccani.
Sheep found to the north of the
Tungabhadra River are called
“Deccani” and those to the south
of it, “Bellary”.
Body : Medium-sized animals,
with body colour ranging from
white through various
combinations of white and black
to black.
One third of the males are
horned; females are generally
polled.
Ears are medium long, flat and
drooping;
Tail is short and thin; Fleece is
extremely coarse, hairy and
open;
belly and legs are devoid of wool.
Production : The breed
is famous for only
mutton.
Female : 27 kg
3. Bellary

also
known as
Bannur
and
Bandur
Mandya
district
and
bordering
Mysore
district of
Karnatak
a.
The best meat breed of the
country as far as conformation
is concerned, although body
weights, weight gains, feed
conversion efficiency and
carcass yield are not very
superior to most other breeds.
Body : . Relatively small animals.
Colour is white, but in some
cases face is light brown, and
this colour may extend to the
neck.
Compact body with a typical
reversed U-shape conformation
from the rear. Ears are long,
leafy and drooping; Tail is short
and thin; A large percentage of
animals carry wattles. Slightly
Roman nose. Both sexes are
polled. Coat is extremely coarse
and hairy..
Production : The breed
is famous for only
mutton.
Female : 23 kg
4. Mandya

Chingalpet
and Madras
districts of
Tamil Nadu.
Medium-sized animals.
Body colour is
predominantly brown, the
intensity varying from light
tan to dark brown; some
animals have white
markings on the forehead,
inside the thighs and on
the lower abdomen. Ears
are medium long and
drooping; Tail is short and
thin; Rams have strong
corrugated and twisted
horns; the ewes are polled.
The body is covered with
short hairs which are not
shorn.
Yield : : The breed
is famous for only
mutton.
Dressing percentage
on pre-slaughter
live-weight basis:
41.15% .
5. Madras Red

Coimbatore
and Madurai
districts of
Tamil Nadu
and
bordering
areas of
Kerala and
Karnataka.
Medium-sized animals
white with black or brown
spots.
Ears are medium-sized and
directed outward and
backward;
Tail is small and thin. 38%
of the males are horned;
females are polled.
Fleece is white, coarse,
hairy and open.
Mortality - . 0 to 3
months: 11.43%
3 to 12 months: 17.39%
adults: 7.75%
Dressing percentage on pre-
slaughter live-weight basis:
38 % .
Dressing percentage
on pre-slaughter live-
weight basis at 6
months: 38.20% , all
ages: 39.30%
Wool production-
500 gm to 1000 gm
per year.
Ave. steple length
:6 cm
Ave. medulation % :
58.
376 cm2.
41 μ
6. Coimbtore

Hassan
district of
Karnataka.
Small animals. White body
with light brown or black
spots; of 135 animals
surveyed, 18 were
completely white, 39%
white with light brown or
black spots on the head,
and the rest white with
light brown, brown or
black spots on different
parts of the body.
Ears are medium-long and
drooping;
39% of the males are
horned; females are
usually polled. Fleece is
white, extremely coarse
and open;
legs and belly are generally
Average annual
fleece weight: 300–
400 g
Mortality rate -
Young: 10 to 20%;
adults: 10 to 15%.
In farmers' flocks:
lambing percentage:
85%; litter size:
single
7. Hassan

Mecheri,
Kolathoor,
Nangavalli,
Omalur and
Tarmangala
m
Panchayat
Union areas
of Salem
district and
Bhavani
taluk of
Coimbatore
district of
Tamil Nadu.
Medium-sized animals,
light brown in colour. In
one survey, 48% of the
animals were completely
light brown, 14% light
brown with white spots on
head, 18% light brown with
sides of the body white,
18% light brown with white
spots on different parts of
the body, and 2%
completely white.
Ears are medium-sized;
Both sexes are polled.
Tail is short and thin;
Body is covered with very
shorn.
Body wt – male – 35 kg .
Reproduction - Age
at first breeding: 15
months; lambing
percentage: 80 to
85%; litter size:
single.
Mortality. Under
farm conditions: 0 to
12 months: 9.29% (4
517); adults:
7.49% (4 792). In
farmers' flocks:
young and adults: 15
to 20%.
Dressing percentage on
the basis of pre-
slaughter live-weight
(25): 54.70%. The skin
is of the highest quality
of sheep breeds in India
8. Mecheri

also
known
as
Keezhak
karaisal,
Karuvai,
Keezha
Karauvai
,
Ramnad
Karuvi
and
Adikaras
ial
Ramnathpur
am,
Madurai,
Thanjavur
and Ramnad
districts of
Tamil Nadu.
Body : Medium-sized
animals. Coat is dark tan,
with black spots on head
(particularly the eyelids
and lower jaw), belly and
legs. Ears are
mediumsized;
Tail is small and thin;
Males have thick twisted
horns, 2 to 3 cm in length.
Most animals have
wattles.
Body wt – male – 31 kg .
Female-23 kg.
Reproduction -
Under farm
conditions: lambing
percentage on the
basis of ewes
available: 78.6% . In
farmers' flocks:
lambing percentage:
80%. Litter size:
single.
Mortality - 0 to 12
months: 24.94%
adults: 7.28%
9. Kilakarsal

also
called
Karandh
ai
Vembur,
Melakkarandh
ai,
Keezhakarand
hai,
Nagalpuram,
Kavundhanap
atty,
Achangulam
and some
other villages
of Pudur
Panchayat
Union and
Vilathikulam
Panchayat
areas of
Tirunelveli
district of
Tamil Nadu.
Tall animals.
Colour is white, with
irregular red and fawn
patches all over the body.
Ears are medium-sized and
drooping;
Tail is thin and short;
Males are horned; ewes are
polled.
The body is covered with
shorn.
Body wt – male 34kg.
female – 27kg.
Reproduction –
In farmers' flocks:
lambing percentage:
80%; litter size:
single.
Under farm
conditions: lambing
percentage on the
basis of ewes
available: 71.61%
Mortality - In
farmers' flocks:
young: 10 to 15%;
adults: 10%. Under
farm conditions: 0 to
3 months: 12.93%; 3
to 12 months:
18.81%; adults:
13.22%.
10. Vembur

Nilgiri hills
in Tamil
Nadu
Nilgiri, evolved during the 19th
century, originated from a
cross-breed base and contains
an unknown level of
inheritance of Coimbatore, the
local hairy breed, Tasmanian
Merino, Cheviot and South
Down.
Body : Medium-sized animals.
Body colour is white;
exceptionally there are brown
patches on face and body.
Face line is convex, giving a
typical Roman nose. Ears are
broad, flat and drooping; ear
length: 12.12 ± 0.10 cm (82).
Males have horn buds and
scurs; females are polled. The
tail is medium and thin; tail
length: 19.60 ± 0.41 (82). The
fleece is fine and dense.
Reproduction -
Under farm
conditions: lambing
percentage on the
basis of ewes
available .
litter size: single.
Mortality - 0 to 3
months: 17.40%
3 to 12 months:
3.62%
adults: 6.66%
Body wt – male 30
kg .Female – 26 kg.
11. Nilgiri

Ramnad
district and
adjoining
areas of
Tirunalveli
district of
Tamil Nadu
Medium-sized animals,
predominantly white; some
animals have fawn or black
markings over the body.
The ears are medium-sized
and directed outward and
downward;
Males have twisted horns;
females are polled.
Tail is short and thin
Under farm conditions:
lambing percentage:
72.55%
0 to 3 months: 2.19%
3 to 12 months: 24.79%
adults: 11.37%
In farmers' flocks: young:
10 to 15%; adults: 10%.
Body wt – male 31
kg .Female – 22 kg.
12. Ramnad
White

Perambalur
and Ariyalur
taluks of
Tiruchy
district.Tiru
pathur and
Tiruvannam
alai taluks
of North
Arcot
district and
Dharampuri
and a
portion of
Krishnagiri
taluk of
Dharmapuri
district of
Tamil Nadu.
Small animals.
Body is completely black.
Males are horned; ewes are
polled.
Ears are short and directed
downward and forward;
Tail is short and thin.
The fleece is extremely
coarse, hairy and open.
Body wt – male 25 kg
.Female – 18 kg.
Reproduction - In
farmers' flocks:
lambing percentage:
70 to 80%;
Imortality - n both
young and adults:
about 20%.
Average fleece
yield: 0.400 kg.
13. Tiruchi black

Hilly tracts
of Raichur
district
(particularly
Lingasagar,
Sethanaur
and
Gangarati
taluks) of
Karnataka.
Medium-sized animals.
Body colour is mostly dark
brown, but colours ranging
from white to black with
spots of different shades
are also to be observed.
Males are horned; females
are generally polled.
Body wt – male -32
Female-26
Prodution - In
farmers' flocks:
lambing percentage:
80 to 85%; litter
size: single.
Mortality - Young:
10 to 20%; adults:
10%.
14. Kenguri

Eastern Region Sheep Breed .
This region comprises state Bihar, West Bengal ,
Orissa, Assam , Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh ,
Mizoram , Manipur, Tripura , Nagaland , Sikkim .
About 2 % of the wool produce and 3.2 million
sheep maintained for meat meat .

The
Chhotanagp
uri breed is
mainly
found in
Jharkhand,
with a few
numbers in
Bihar.
 They are small, light-
weight animals, light
grey and brown in
colour.
 Ears are small and
parallel to the head,
 The tail is thin and short
and the fleece is coarse,
hairy and open.
 The animals are shorn
thrice a year in March-
April, June-July and
October-November
 Both sexes are polled.
They are considered a
coarse carpet wool
breed.
Ave. Wool Yield :
produce a yearly
average of 180 g of
hairy wool
Ave. medulation % :
84.
52.54 μ
1. Chottanagpuri

The Ganjam
breed of
sheep is
native to the
Ganjam,
Koraput,
Phulbani
and parts of
the Puri
districts of
Odisha.
 These are medium-sized,
slender and leggy
animals with the coat
colour ranging from
brown to dark tan; some
have white spots on the
face and body.
 The ears are medium-
sized and drooping, and
the tail is medium long
and thin.
 The males are horned,
while the ewes are
polled.
 The fleece is hairy and
short, and is not
sheared. Rams, however,
have long hair below the
neck and hindquarters.
 Ganjam sheep are
primarily
maintained for
meat.
 Lambing
percentage varies
from 60-90% and
the litter size is
mainly single.
 Breeding is pure.
 Body wt – male –
26kg .
Female – 24 kg .
2. Ganjam

The Balangir
breed of
sheep is
native to the
north
western
districts of
Balangir,
Sambalpur,
and
Sundargarh
in Odisha.
 They are medium-sized
animals, white or light
brown or of mixed
colours. A few animals
are also black.
 The ears are small and
stumpy.
 While the males are
horned, ewes are polled.
The tail is medium long
and thin.
 The fleece is extremely
coarse, hairy and open,
and the legs and belly
are devoid of wool.
 The flock size ranges
from 3 to 24 animals.
 In farmers' flocks
lambing percentage is
24kg .
Female – 18 kg .
3. Balangir

The
Shahabadi,
is native to
the erstwhile
Shahabad
(subsequentl
y bifurcated
into the
Bhojpur,
Rohtas and
Buxar
districts),
Patna and
Gaya
districts of
Bihar
 They are medium sized
leggy animals.
 The fleece colour is
mostly grey, sometimes
with black spots.
 Ears are medium-sized
and drooping, and the
tail is extremely long
and thin. Both sexes are
polled.
 The fleece is extremely
coarse, hairy and open,
and the legs and belly
are devoid of wool.
 Flocks generally
comprise 5 to 6 rams
and 70 to 80 adult ewes
and their young.
24kg .
Female – 18 kg .
 The average
annual fleece
weight is 240 gms
with an average
fibre diameter of
50 μ and a
medullation
percentage of 87.
4. Shahabadi

 The
Tibetan
sheep are
found in
northern
Sikkim
and the
Kameng
district of
Arunacha
l Pradesh.
 They produce excellent,
lustrous, carpet-quality
wool.
 Tibetan sheep are
medium sized animals,
primarily white with a
black or brown face.
Often brown and white
spots are also observed
on the body.
 Both sexes are horned.
 The nose line is convex,
giving a typical Roman
nose.
 The ears are small,
broad and drooping.
 The fleece is relatively
fine and dense.
 The belly, legs and face
 Animals are shorn
twice a year, in
April/May and
October/November
 The fleece weight
per clip is 400 –
900 gm with an
average fibre
diameter of 13 μ
and a medullation
percentage of 19.
 The animals are
pure-bred, with
the exception of
some cross-
breeding with
Merino that has
been introduced in
the Kameng
5. Tibetan

The Bonpala
breed is
native to
southern
Sikkim.
The animals are tall, leggy
and well-built. The fleece
colour ranges from
completely white to
completely black with a
number of intermediary
shades, and the quality is
coarse, hairy and open .
The ears are small and
tubular and both sexes are
horned.
The tail is thin and short
and the belly and legs are
devoid of wool.
Shearing is generally
undertaken twice annually
producing about 400-500
grams of wool per year.
The average fibre
diameter is 66 μ with
a medullation
percentage of 95.
6. Bonpala

 The
Garole
breed is
native to
the hot,
humid
and
swampy
Ganges
delta of
West
Bengal.
 It is a small-sized
animal, reared for meat,
and plays a vital role in
the economic
subsistence of marginal
farmers.
 It has a compact and
square body with a
small head, medium
ears and a short thin
tail.
 Grey and white are the
predominant colours.
 Males are usually
horned and females are
polled. The fleece is open
and very coarse and,
though not dense,
covers almost the whole
 Garole ewes breed
around the year
with two lambing
peaks between
December to
February and
August to
September. Multip
le births are
common.
 The animals are
usually not shorn,
though some
farmers shear the
animal and use
the wool for
bedding material.
7. Garole

IMPORTANT SHEEP BREEDS IN INDIA

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