Africana sheep breed is known for its meat in Colombia. Africana, also called Pelona, Camaro Red African, Rojo Africana, Colombian Wooless, West African.
Mostly found in Colombia and Venezuela, in the form of domesticated.
One more wool breed sheep. It has a shade of tan to brown.
The size of Africana is the same as the Pelibuey sheep. It is sporadic to find the pure breed sheep of Africana now. All the present flocks are mixed blood.
Colombians love Africana mutton. The lambs grow faster, which can produce around 40 kg of mutton in a year.
Africana Sheep Characteristics
The sheep belong to the hairy family. Most of the shades are dark red or chocolate-like. Some are even yellow to reddish-brown. But whites are pretty rate.
Africana sheep most sought after meat in Columbia. The Lambs are fast rowing, producing around 45 kg of meat Rams and Ewes around 40 kg in a year.
A fully grown Ram can weigh up to 80 kg.
Weaning is around four months of age.
Ewes matured to mate only after one year. The Lambing cycle is nine months.
Most of them deliver only one lamb, while 30 % of them do twins.
Three lambing cycles can achieve in 2 years.
These sheep are agile, creative, and can without much of a stretch restrained.
They are adamant, having the option to flourish in unfriendly regions that endure exorbitant dry season and have insufficient fields.
Both the grown-ups and the infants would react with dedication and friendship to the consideration given to them.
The breed polled (no horns), and the rams are sometimes maned.
Things to know
Africana is primarily raised of meat purposes only.
As respects the number of inhabitants in this breed, it has been contemplated that a common populace of 35 percent are thoroughbreds, and 65 percent are crossbreds.
For a significant meat creation, this breed requires four rams for every 100 ewes in any event.
Brief characteristics of Africana Sheep
| Breed Name | Africana sheep |
| Other Name | Pelona, Camura, Red African, Rojo Africana, Colombian Wooless, West African |
| Country/Place of Origin | Colombia |
| Breed Purpose | Meat |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Weight Ram(Male) | 45 kg (100 lbs) |
| Ewe(Female) | 40 kg (88 lbs) |
| Kidding | one lamb, sometimes twins |
| Good for Stall Fed | open grazing |
| Climate Tolerance | Native Climates |
Reference:
Mason, I.L. World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds. Third Edition. C.A.B International. 1988
Hair Sheep of Western Africa and the Americas: A Genetic Resource for the Tropics. (H.A. Fitzhugh and G.E. Bradford, eds.), A Winrock International Study, 1983.
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