Comparative characteristics of the young karakul sheep breed of different colors in the SEC «Erdnievsky» Yustinsky district of the Republic of Kalmykia

Abstract

The Republic of Kalmykia has adopted the program “Revival of traditional pasture animal husbandry”. An increase in the number of sheep in the republic is planned due to the import of coarse-wooled meat-sucking fat-tailed sheep. Along with fat-tailed sheep, Karakul sheep should play an important role in solving this program. Karakul sheep, like fattailed sheep, are well adapted to year-round grazing, drink salt water, and in critical periods of the year they are content with only coarse-stalked dry vegetation. Unlike fine-fleeced ones, they graze in a loose pattern over a large area and are “gentle” in relation to pastures. However, over the years of economic reforms, the number of Karakul sheep, like all other breeds, has  significantly decreased, and the quality of karakul has deteriorated. In this regard, one of the main tasks is to increase the number of sheep and improve the quality of Karakul pelts.