They can survive severe drought conditions because of a special quality they have, storing fat in their tails. The shoulders are straight and fleshy. The Karakul is distinguished by its colored fleece, which is due to a dominate black gene. 301.8(a) ‘Broadtail Lamb’ may be used to describe the skin of the prematurely born, stillborn, or very young lamb of the Karakul breed of sheep or top-cross breed of such sheep, having flat light-weight fur with a moire pattern. Information on adding new breeds or updating existing information. Many adults have a double coat, a fine down undercoat, covered by a coat of guard hair. It is hardy and adaptable and can thrive in different climatic conditions in a difficult environment. Many adult Karakul are double-coated; in this case, spinners separate the coarse guard hair from the undercoat. The lambs must be under three days old when they are killed, or they will lose their black color and soft, tightly wound coils of fur. Most lambs are born coal black with lustrous wavy curls, with the face, ears, and legs usually showing smooth, sleek hair. It got its name from the village of Karakul in West The Karakul may be the oldest breed of domesticated sheep. They differ radically in conformation from many other sheep breeds, and they are of the fat broad tailed type of sheep. Very young or even fetal Karakul lambs are prized for pelts. and carvings of a distinct Karakul type have been found on ancient Babylonian temples. Table 121 Performance characteristics of karakul flocks in different provinces Province Performance Characteristics Average STD CV Balkh Lambing Rate 85.22 9.26 10.87 Weaning Rate 65.22 8.78 13.47 Pelting Rate (Good Forage Year) 34.00 28.71 84.43 Pelting Rate (Bad Forage Year) 56.00 8.79 15.70 Pelting Rate 2001 39.44 23.68 60.04 Karakul sheep are a multi-purpose breed, kept for milking, meat, pelts, and wool. Karakuls are medium-sized sheep, but they differ radically in conformation from many other breeds. Karakul lambs may be used either for pelt (Persian lamb) or for meat production. animal-science-mail-form U.S. breeders, in their eagerness to produce a large quantity of pelts, introduced other breeds into the bloodlines. Karakuls were introduced.to the U.S. between 1908 and 1929 for pelt production. In their large tail is stored fat, a source of nourishment, similar in function to the camel's hump. [5] Rather than killing healthy female sheep, farmers will kill older sheep that have already given birth many times. With a growing interest in the fiber arts in the United States, there has been an increased interest in the Karakul sheep. The harsh conditions under which they evolved has given them strong and lasting teeth, a key to their longevity. Karakul sheep are kept primarily for lambskinfur production. The Karakul sheep are medium-sized animals. As a fat-tailed breed, they have a distinctive meat. Wattles are not unusual. This is partially due to its multiple uses: fur, fleece, and meat, along with the qualities of hardiness and adaptability. Despite competition which makes them the --> In its native region the colors are called by the following names; Arabi (black), Guligas (pink-roan), Kambar (brown), Shirazi (grey) and Sur (agouti). particularity attributed the lamb pelts of Karakul type 2, 13, 14, 17. Karakul or Qaraqul (named after Qorako‘l, a city in Bukhara Province in Uzbekistan) is a breed of domestic sheep which originated in Central Asia. Karakul sheep have a wide, fat tail that stores fat. Please mail your original copies with our email form Karakul Sheep raised mainly for meat, milk, wool, and pelts.The breed is originated in Central Asia.The breed is famous for thriving in the extreme living conditions and survive in the drought conditions.One of the fat-tailed breed, which stores fat in the tail.. Karakul Sheep breed information. This produced pelts of inferior quality and eventually the industry and the flocks were dispersed. [6] The pelts have also been used in haute couture. While these animals are not for sale, arrangements can be made to purchase offspring from these sheep. In flocks with predominantly Karakul breeding, 43% of Karakul lambs were slaughtered for pelt production. The legs are medium to long, and light in bone. The Karakuls posses a strong flocking instinct and can be run either on open range or in fenced pastures. The Karakul (or Qaraqul) sheep was once deemed Namibia's 'black diamond'. Ewes are generally hornless. Fetal karakul lamb pelts are called broadtail, Breitschwanz (German), and karakulcha. Karakuls breed out of season, making it possible for three lamb crops in two years. They differ radically in conformation from many other sheep breeds, and they are of the fat broad tailed type of sheep. 301.8(b) We are currently looking for high resolution pictures of any of the breeds. [7][8] An Astrakhan collar has been used on women's suits[9] and on expensive overcoats. Large flocks are still to be found outside the U.S. especially in Central Asia and South Africa. Fetal karakul lambs are harvested through miscarriages, induced early delivery or by killing the mother sheep and removing the fetus. It is a specialty breed that is finding its niche as part of the cottage industry. The origin of the Dormer from a cross between Dorset Horn rams with German Merino ewes (presently known as the S A Mutton Merino) was a direct consequence of a series of extensive slaughter lamb experiments carried out at the Elsenburg Research Station of the Department of Agriculture since 1927 over a period of more than ten years. Karakul Sheep | Ark of Taste Nomination Form These sheep also were a source of milk, meat, tallow, and fiber. Karakul is relatively coarse fiber used for outer garment, carpets and for felting. The long neck is carried semi-erect. The Karakuls posses a strong flocking instinct and can be run either on open range or in fenced pastures. They do not herd well; they are likely to scatter or fight a dog trying to herd them. Ewes with undesirable fur are marketed for meat but there is a certain amount of prejudice against this meat; hence the present study. It has a dominant black gene, so a very high percentage of these sheep are born black. Swakara was coined as a brand name by the Karakul farmers of the then South West Africa, now Namibia, and South Africa, as their Karakul sheep had specific characteristics that those from other parts of the world did not have. The Karakul is considered a rare breed in the U.S. and most likely will remain so; current population is estimated at 1300 animals. The American Karakul Sheep Registry is a roster of the U.S. Karakuls to the degree that it is supported by the Karakul breeders. They represent some of our stud rams and select breeding ewe stock. All this complex of traits makes of Karakul sheep perhaps the noblest sheep breed and the Karakul lambs, by curling drawing and chromatic variety, are the most beautiful in the world having an elegant and graceful appearance. Please provide a description of this breed as well The colour of the Karakul sheep is mainly black or grey. Scottish Blackface sheep is a medium to large sized animal with very beautiful appearance. The Karakul has some unique qualities. The head is medium-sized with a bulging forehead and medium-sized ears. [5] People use the lamb pelts to create various clothing items, such as the Astrakhan or karakul hat. Perhaps more goat-like than ordinary sheep, they are real survivors. But there is a great variability in the fleece type of both coats, from "horse tail" coarse to silky soft. The Karakul has some unique qualities. The study aimed to investigate fertility, survival ability, growth, production of milk and wool of Karakul sheep under in situ in vivo conservation. Karakul sheep are multi-purpose animals originating from the dry regions of … The narrow appendage below this fat sack is often recurved, giving an S shape. In the early 19 th century Karakul sheep farming spread in many countries like Afghanistan, United States of America, Turkey, Russia, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The Sheep: Pictures were chosen to reflect certain bloodlines, unique characteristics, and breed diversity. 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