Altay is a breed of domesticated sheep originating in the dry, cold mountain basins of China. This breed belongs to the fat-rumped carpet wool type of sheep and the Kazakh group.[1] Although the Altay grows wool, it is raised primarily for the meat.[2]

Altay
Country of originChina
UseMeat
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    82 kg (180 lb)
  • Female:
    68 kg (150 lb)
Height
  • Male:
    76 cm (30 in)
  • Female:
    72 cm (28 in)
Horn statusBoth sexes are horned

Characteristics

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The tail (or rump) weighs about 15 lb (6.8 kg). At maturity, the rams average 180 lb (82 kg) and the ewes 150 lb (68 kg). The Altay's lambing percentage is approximately 103%. The Kazakh group of sheep average 2.5 lb (1.1 kg) to 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) of wool per shearing.[1] The average height at the withers of mature rams is 76 cm (30 in) and 72 cm (28 in) for ewes. Both sexes are horned. Average birth weight for rams is 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) and ewes 4.25 kg (9.4 lb).[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Altay". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University, Dept. of Animal Science. Archived from the original on 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
  2. ^ a b "Altay Fat-Rumped/China". Breed data sheet. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
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