Sheep have been bred by humanity for millennia. To date, just a huge amount of good meat breeds of these animals has been bred. In this case, one of the best is texel sheep. From these animals you can get a large amount of meat and wool. At the same time, the Texel sheep breed is unpretentious and endurance. But, of course, you need to take care of these farm animals, as well as any others, correctly.
Breed history
Texel sheep were first obtained during the time of the Roman Empire. However, this breed gained wide popularity only in the 19th century. It was at this time that the quality of the breed was significantly improved. In the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland, texel lambs were crossed with rams Lincoln and Leister. The result of breeding work was the emergence of three varieties of the breed: Dutch, English and French. All these groups are very popular with farmers and are bred everywhere. In particular, texel sheep are widely distributed in Europe. These animals are also raised in Australia, North America and New Zealand.
Dutch meat and texel sheep have shorter legs than English sheep. At the same time, their muscle mass is better developed. The advantage of the French variety of this breed is early maturity.
Texel breed features
Since this breed belongs to the meat direction of productivity, its main distinguishing feature is large muscle mass. The torso of lambs texel is rectangular, massive, harmoniously developed. The fleece is usually quite long and curls in ringlets. Texel is no exception in this regard. Also to the features of the breed include:
There are texel lambs of three different colors:
The breed of texel sheep is different from most others, including chopping. The rudimentary horns of rams are found, but rarely enough. The head and legs of sheep of this breed are not covered with hair. The tail can be either long or short.
Character Features
In the manner of behavior of a sheep, texel significantly differ from representatives of other breeds. The fact is that these animals have almost no herd instinct. Sheep do not like to graze in large groups. They feel much better in the meadows and forests alone or in company with cows or other farm animals. Sometimes texel lambs graze even with horses.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
The advantages of Texel lambs primarily include:
good adaptability to outdoor cultivation;
endurance;
ability to tolerate almost any, even the most severe climatic conditions.
unpretentiousness in relation to feed;
disease resistance.
Texel lambs are born active and healthy. The advantages of lambs of this breed can also include good resistance to internal parasites.
Breed productivity
Keeping Texel lambs on farms can be quite profitable. Animals of this breed grow very large. The height of the ram at the withers can be 63-83 cm. The lambs grow up to 58-75 cm. The texel ram weighs about 115-130 kg. Lambs can gain 70-90 kg. The average daily gain of young animals of this breed is approximately 300 g per day.
Texel sheep wool is of the middle class in quality. The hair length can be 7-15 cm. From a ram it can be cut about 4-7 kg. Lambs give 3.5-6 kg of wool. Shear animals of this breed once a year, and absolutely naked. The collected fleece is washed and combed. The yield of this product as a result is usually 60% of the initial weight.
Texel Sheep Meat
Thus, the productivity of MRS of this breed is really very high. In addition, the Texel sheep breed is also valued for very tasty meat. Its advantage is that it is completely devoid of the characteristic smell of lamb. In addition, the meat of sheep of this breed is juicy, its own unique taste and very quickly cooked. The fat of this lamb hardens quite slowly.
Lamb meat of this breed is considered particularly tasty. Marble, juiciness and delicate texture - this is what distinguishes such a mutton. The price for it can be from 500 to 1500 rubles per 1 kg.
Very often texel is crossed with other breeds. At the same time, the excellent taste of meat is transmitted to the offspring in the first generation.
Meat cost
Thus, lamb is the main product for profitable farmers raising texel sheep. The price for it, since it has excellent taste, is quite high. When buying live weight, meat costs 150-200 rubles per 1 kg.
Content Features
Texel lambs can be released to pasture the very next day after lambing. Newborn babies do not need special care. After lambing, babies must be allowed to approach their mother. The milk of the sheep of this breed is very fatty and nutritious, so the lambs quickly gain weight. During the day, one calf can add up to 250-300 g. The texel ram weight at the age of one year is 100-110 kg.
As a pasture for texel sheep, absolutely any fields and meadows are suitable. This breed is very well suited for outdoor cultivation. Despite the fact that texel prefers loneliness, they do not disperse on pastures. The thing is the very phlegmatic and calm nature of these lambs. Animals of this breed easily find their way home even from remote places. For sheep, this is pretty unusual. After all, most often the MRS of this variety does not differ much in quick wits.
Such cold sheep tolerate winter colds very well. However, their owner should make sure that the koshar for animals is dry. It is not necessary to equip heating in the room. Sometimes this breed of sheep is kept in winter and just in an open pen. Low animals tolerate these temperatures well. Due to the increased humidity, they can easily catch a cold.
In relation to feed, these animals are unpretentious. In summer, grass on the pasture may be quite enough for them, and in the winter - hay. But, of course, so that animals gain weight faster, they should be fed with vegetables, root crops, bran and compound feed. In this case, the texel sheepโs meat will be more delicious. Of course, animals must also receive all kinds of top dressings containing vitamins and trace elements necessary for their body.
Help with lambing
The Texel sheep breed has more than one virtue. She also has, of course, disadvantages. The main thing is that the birth of the uterus is very difficult. Therefore, during lambing, the lamb must be helped. Before the very birth you should prepare a strong rope and gloves. Perhaps the lamb will have to be pulled by the legs. You should also prepare warm water.
Texel sheep lambing always occurs at night. It often happens that a lamb shows its head first. In this case, it should be turned to the correct position. Only a veterinarian can do this. Therefore, on large farms, by the time of the onset of the uterus, labor is organized around the clock.
Conclusion
Thus, keeping texel sheep can be really beneficial. These animals gain weight well. In addition, they are unpretentious and resistant to diseases. Sheep of this breed tolerate winter cold well, and therefore are excellent for growing, including in Russia.