The Awassi sheep is a breed of domestic sheep originating from the Syrian-Arab desert.
It is a versatile breed of sheep, also known by other names such as Ausi, Baladi, Deiri, Ivesi, Gezirieh, Nuami and Syrian.
This breed of sheep actually developed as a nomadic breed of sheep over centuries of natural and selective breeding to become the highest-bred dairy breed in the Middle East.
The Awassi breed of sheep belongs to the Middle Eastern thick-tailed type and is the most numerous and widespread breed of sheep in Southwest Asia.
This breed is the dominant type of sheep in Iraq, the most important sheep in the Syrian Arab Republic and the only indigenous sheep breed in Israel, Jordan and Lebanon.
The breed is grown or bred in the desert conditions of the northern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Awassi sheep breed accounts for only one percent of the sheep population in Turkey (their breeding area is located in southern Anatolia in the border strip along the main habitat of the breed in the Syrian Arab Republic) . However, for more information about this breed of sheep, read below.
Characteristics of the Awassi sheep
Awassi sheep are beautiful animals with a striking appearance. They are thick-tailed and multicolored: white with brown head and legs (sometimes also black or brown).
They have long, pendulous ears. Their head is long and narrow with a convex profile. Rams are horned and their horns are long and spiral. Although sheep are usually questioned.
The average height of an adult ram is 68-80 cm at the withers, and for ewes – 65-70 cm.
On average, rams weigh 60-90 kg. And the average live weight of sexually mature ewes is 30-50 kg. Photos and information from Wikipedia.
Advantages
Awassi sheep are versatile animals. They are used to produce milk, meat and wool.
Special Notes
Awassi sheep are extremely hardy animals, and over the centuries of their use have adapted well to nomadic and more sedentary farming.
This breed is the natural or main breeding sheep breed in these regions and is a logical choice as a local or base breed for any genetic improvement because of its obvious adaptability.
Awassi sheep are used for various purposes such as meat, milk and wool. But they are grown mainly for milk production.
They have unique physiological characteristics such as resistance to parasites and many diseases.
They can travel long distances across pastures to graze their livestock. They can even tolerate extreme temperatures and adverse feeding conditions.
Awassi sheep are actually adapted to many different environmental conditions and also do well in their natural habitat.
These animals thrive in poor Mediterranean pastures and can also compensate for dry season malnutrition with the energy stored in their large tails.
Awassi sheep have a high maternal ability. They can produce large quantities of milk in harsh environments.
Because of this ability, rams are often used as sires to improve the milk production of many breeds of sheep native to Asia and Africa. However, check out the complete Awassi sheep breed profile in the following table.
| Breed name | Awassi |
| Other names | Ausi, Baladi, Deiri, Ivesi, Gezirieh, Nuami and Syrian |
| Purpose of the breed | Meat, milk and wool |
| Special Notes | Extremely hardy animals, well adapted to various climatic conditions, very suitable for the production of meat, milk and wool, but raised mainly for the production of milk, known for their resistance to parasites and many diseases, can travel long range distances for grazing, excellent pasture, can tolerate temperature extremes, can thrive in adverse feeding conditions, ewes are excellent mothers, rams are often used as bulls |
| Breed size | big |
| The weight | The average live weight of an adult ram is 60-90 kg, and the average live weight of an adult ram ranges from 30-50 kg. |
| horns | Rams are horned, but ewes are usually polled. |
| climatic tolerance | Virtually all climates |
| Color | White with brown head and legs (sometimes also black or brown) |
| scarcity | general |
| Country/place of origin | Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Egypt |
