TITLE:
Morphological Characterization of Karakul Sheep in North Part of Afghanistan
AUTHORS:
Sayed Ali Askar Musavi, Abdul Manan Khadimiyan, Abdul Momin Azimi
KEYWORDS:
Karakul, Sheep, Phenotype and Measurement
JOURNAL NAME:
Voice of the Publisher,
Vol.8 No.1,
March
15,
2022
ABSTRACT: Karakul sheep are native breed in north part
of Afghanistan; they have good adaptation and play the vital role at the income
of country. This study was designed to characterize morphologically Karakul
sheep in their home tract and production system. Data were collected from the
breeding area to study lodging, all part of body measurement, handling workout
and productive and reproductive proficiency of Karakul sheep. Mean flocks are
500 head, data collected randomly for phenotype characterization from 10
flocks, from every flock selected 10 ewes in
different age (1 - 4 years) and one ram. Ram and ewes keeping together,
before one-month season of breeding ram and ewes separating together until
season of breeding, sometime lambing occurring out of season. Flock grazing around 11 hours daily, shearing is practiced two
times a year, average wool production around 2 - 2.5 kg per clip. Internal
parasite and two stomach (genetic disease) in lamb were the main reason for higher mortality rate, the
breed is medium in size with a mean body weight of 47.6 ± 0.5 kg, average
length of body 46.0 ± 0.2 cm and body height 67.0 ± 0.7 cm. Majority of animals
have black and grey colour and also other colour like with, sapphire and mix
can find in the flock. Sapphire have good market, it is expensive. Around all
of ewes polled and some of rams are polled and some are having horn, Karakul
sheep have pendulous ears and long fat tail, good store for fat, have similar function to camel’s
hump.