Skudde sheep are a Nordic breed of domestic sheep. In fact, he comes from Germany, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Switzerland. It is also called Shotand is grown for landscape grazing, thatching and meat production.
The original homeland of this breed was East Prussia and the Baltic States. But today, only a few small herds can be found in these regions.
Currently, the total population of this breed is much smaller. There are about 150 animals in Austria, about 250 in Switzerland and about 1000 in Germany.
And all of these promotions can be attributed to a few people. Learn more about this breed of sheep below.
Characteristics of the Skudde Sheep
The Skudde sheep is a small to medium sized animal. The color of these animals can be different, but the most common are brown, black, gray and white.
Currently, the white variety has small pigment spots on the head. They have fine wool fibers made up of short and coarse fibers. Their body is relatively long and their tail is short.
Lambs typically have dark red or rust-colored markings on the back of the head and legs, and this coloration fades in adults.
The most notable feature of the rams is the imposing snail horn. And sheep are usually polled or have stumps of horns.
Adult Skudde rams weigh on average between 35 and 50 kg. And the average live weight of sexually mature ewes ranges from 25 to 40 kg. Photos and information from ansi.okstate.edu and Wikipedia.
Advantages
Skudde sheep are versatile animals. They are used for grazing, thatching and also for meat production.
Special Notes
Skudde sheep are hardy and active animals. They are well suited for grazing in more barren areas. They are in heat all year round and lambs are born at any time of the year.
And in two years, 3 lambings are possible. Skudd mutton is of very good quality. In connoisseur circles, meat is considered a delicacy.
In addition to quality meat production, the breed is also very good at grazing and thatching. See the complete Skudde sheep breed profile in the following table.
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| Breed name | Skudde |
| another name | Shot |
| Purpose of the breed | Meat, felting and landscape grazing |
| Special Notes | Very hardy animals, well suited to grazing in more arid areas, flowing in season, 3 lambings possible in two years, very good quality meat |
| Breed size | Small to medium |
| The weight | The weight of sexually mature rams is 35-50 kg, and the weight of sexually mature sheep is 25-40 kg. |
| horns | Rams have large spiral horns and ewes can be polled. |
| climatic tolerance | native climate |
| Color | Black, brown, gray and white |
| scarcity | general |
| Country/place of origin | Germany, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Switzerland |
