Blackhead Persian (sheep)

The Blackhead Persian (also known as Swartkoppersie) is a fat-tailed breed of domestic sheep from Africa.The sheep is originally from Somaliland (the Somali populated areas in East Africa). [1] The breed is also a type of hair sheep, meaning they do not grow wool and tolerate heat better than wooled breeds and are raised primarily for meat. The Blackhead Persian has a white body and, as their name would suggest, an entirely black head.[2]

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Characteristics

Both sexes are polled.[1] On average at maturity, rams weigh 68 kg (150 lb) and ewes 52 kg (110 lb). At birth, rams and ewes weigh about 2.6 kg (5.7 lb). Ewes lactate for approximately 84 days, produce 50 kg (110 lb) of milk with 5.9% fat.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Blackhead Persian". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University, Dept. of Animal Science. http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/blackheadpersian/index.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-18. 
  2. ^ Kruger, L. "Indigenous Sheep Breeds of South Africa". Agricultural Research Council of South Africa. http://www.arc.agric.za/home.asp?pid=2699. Retrieved 2009-09-14. 
  3. ^ "Blackhead Persian/South Africa". Breed data sheet. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. http://dad.fao.org/. Retrieved 2009-05-18. 

See also

External links