Heritage Sheep


Sketched sheep

Breed Facts

Status:
Threatened

Use:
Meat, Wool, Milk, Pelts

Fiber Profile (PDF)

Adult Weight:
Rams: 175-225 lbs. Ewes: 100-150 lbs.

Temperament:
Docile, Alert

Experience Level:
Novice – Intermediate

Notes:
Fat-tailed sheep; horned; wool comes in a wide range of colors

KARAKUL – AMERICAN SHEEP

The Karakul breed originated from sheep in Central Asia, and its name comes from the village of Kara Kul (or Black Lake), which lies in the Bokhara region between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan near the Caspian and Black Seas. Some archeological artifacts indicate that the breed has been raised there since 1400 BCE.

Karakul Ewe and Lamb Courtesy of Jeffrey Black

Karakul Ewe and Lamb Courtesy of Jeffrey Black

The Karakul is a member of the family of broad-tailed sheep, characterized by deposits of fat at the base of the tail and along the first 3-5 vertebrae of the tail. This fat is distinctive in texture and flavor from other body fat and is highly valued in the cuisine of Central Asia. The rest of the carcass is very lean.

Karakuls were historically used for meat, fat, wool, and pelts. Milk production was one of the important uses of the breed in its original homeland, providing a good source of protein in a desert environment. Pelts of lambs, called “Persian lamb” or “astrakhan”, were highly valued for making a variety of warm, soft, and elegant garments, and were an important source of income historically.

Karakul sheep have long, narrow heads, with a slight indentation between their eyes. They often are Roman-nosed. They have strong, long-lasting teeth. Their long ears point down and may have a long U-shape, small V-shape, or be absent entirely. Their long neck is carried semi-erect on their long, narrow body. Karakuls are medium in size. Their legs are medium to long. Ewes are usually polled but horn buds are common and small horns do occur; rams are polled or horned. Some have wattles. Karakul rams weigh between 175-225 lbs. and ewes between 100-150 lbs.

The silky birth coat of the Karakul matures into a fleece with a long, lustrous outer coat and a fine, soft inner coat. Adding interest to this unusual fleece is the breed’s array of colors. They carry a dominant black gene, so most sheep are born black and fade to gray as they mature. However, occasionally lambs are born brown, spotted, roan, white, red, gray, gold, and Sur (a brown birth coat with silver or gold tips). Karakul fleece has a low grease content and can be easily spun; it is also excellent for felting. The outer coat generally grades coarse, and has excellent tensile strength making it ideal for rugs, bags, and other durable goods. Most of the Karakul wool produced in this country is used by hand spinners and weavers. Fleeces weigh five to ten pounds and have a staple length of six to twelve inches.

Though used primarily for the production of wool, Karakuls are multipurpose sheep with many valuable characteristics. Meat from Karakul lambs and sheep is lean and flavorful, and the fat tails are a cultural delicacy associated with particular holidays. The milk can be used to produce soft cheese, butter, frozen confections, and yogurt. Some shepherds have trained their Karakul ewes to be milked while they are nursing their lambs to maintain lactation as long as possible.

While Karakuls are desert breed, they are hardy and adaptable, thriving under rugged conditions in a variety of climates. The sheep are aggressive grazers and browsers, useful wherever pastures need improvement. Some are resistant to internal parasites and foot rot. Karakuls can be run in fenced pastures or on open range and have a strong flocking instinct.

Breeding out-of-season has always been a Karakul trait, and several bloodlines in the US produce twins regularly. Lambing in the fall happens regularly, even in range-managed flocks, so ewes are able to produce 3 lamb crops in two years. Ewes are attentive and protective mothers who milk very well. They have a high lamb survival rate.

Karakul sheep were introduced into the US between 1909 and 1929. Karakuls were imported to establish a pelt industry in the US, but this effort was not successful, and the breed has always been relatively rare. Since the time of importation, the population of Karakuls in North America has diverged genetically from Central Asian stocks, so this now warrants the classification of the American Karakul as a separate breed.

The population in North America has been genetically divergent from Central Asian stocks since the time of importation, so this now warrants classification of the American Karakul as a separate breed.


Did you know:

The Livestock Conservancy helps heritage breed farmers and ranchers successfully raise endangered livestock and poultry.  Tools ranging from microgrants for farm infrastructure improvements to conservation breeding plans for individual flocks and herds help fight extinction threats across America every day.

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Heritage Sheep


Sketched sheep

Breed Facts

Status:
Threatened

Use:
Triple

Adult Weight:
100 – 200 lbs

Temperament:
Docile, Alert

Experience Level:
Novice – Intermediate

Notes:
Fat-tailed sheep, horned, carpet wool with wide range of colors

You may be interested in…

The Field Guide to Fleece

The Field Guide to Fleece
By Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius
$14.95

Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep book

Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep
By Paula Simmons and Carol Ekarius
$19.95

Keeping Livestock Healthy book

By N. Bruce Haynes, DVM
$19.95