DECCANI SHEEP
The Deccani breed derives its name from the region Dakkan (Deccan) corresponding to its original spread across the Semi arid & Deccan plateau of Telangana, Parts of AP, Northern Karnataka, Maharashtra, and parts of Northern Tamil Nadu. Not very different from Deccani, Sheep found to the North of the Tungabhadra River are called “Deccani” and those to the South of it, “Bellary”
Deccani is a recognised meat breed. The Deccani breed is the only pure black coarse wool breed in India. It is reared mainly for lamb production Locally in Telangana it is called as "Nalla Gorre" or Black Sheep. The breed is highly climate resilient and is best adapted to the semi-arid tracts It is a highly threatened breed, and rapidly disappearing, as it is being outcrossed with non-wool hairy mutton sheep breeds such as the Nellore in Telangana, Madgyal in Maharashtra and Khillari in Karnataka. As per 1972 Census, the total Deccani Sheep population in the Deccani distribution area was 5.106 millions.
Breed Characteristics & Conformation
Adult Bwt : Male 38 Kgs ; Female 28 Kgs
Length (in Cms) Male 68 : Female 65
Height (in Cms) Male 67 : Female 63
Chest (in Cms) Male 78 : Female 70
Size: Medium-sized animals
Colour: Predominantly black or black with white markings; white and brown/fawn .Distribution of colour is 54.92% completely black, 21% black with white or brown spots on head and 24% black or white with brown spots.
Horns: Rams are horned & Ewes are polled.
Ears : are medium long, flat and drooping. Ear length: 16.56 ± 0.06 cm .
Tail : short and thin :Tail length: 12.35 ± 0.05 cm .
Fleece: extremely coarse, hairy and open
Belly and legs are devoid of wool.
Production performance :
Birth Weight 2.8 Kgs
The weight at Weaning (@3 months) 14 kg.
The weight @ 6 months 28 Kgs
The average lambing interval is 8.8 ± 2.7 months
Deccani Ewes that have twins are able to rear them independently.
Lambing percentage 75.2% under traditional and 85.5 % under farm conditions
Litter size: Single / 1.04 (Avg)
Average 6-monthly greasy fleece weight 0.359 Kgs
Annual greasy fleece weight: 0.74 ± 0.2 kg
Dressing percentage on the basis of pre-slaughter live-weight: 49.6 ± 1.8;
Age at Slaughter: 6 months.
Traditional identities :
Shepherds identify their Sheep based on
- Wool colour
- Ear size
- Patches on the Sheep
- Presence or absence of Horns (kommulu or bodi kommulu) and wattles.
a. The types of ear sizes identified (as called in Telangana )
• Mulli/gundri chevulu (very small)
• Bingi/butti chevulu (small)
• Padigala/radi/solanti chevulu (medium)
• Lambada chevulu (large)
b. The different types of patches on the body (as called in Telangana )
Chukka (small white patch on the forehead)
Bolli (large white patch on the forehead)
Batta (very large patch on the body)
Gimmala (patch on flank)
Jala (irregular patches all over the body)
Edagadla (patch on the hind limbs)
By
Dr.Ashok kumar Valupadasu.
AD,V&AH Dept,
Karimnagar,
Telangana
