Awassi sheep are healthy, indigenous species that are the primary type of Sheep in the Syrian Arab Republic.
They can manage the brutal natural conditions, yet they tend to provide milk, cheddar, yogurt, meat, fleece. But they are raised primarily for milk production.
It was created as an itinerant sheep breed through hundreds of years of regular and specific reproducing for turning into the most astounding milk delivering breed in the Middle East.
Awassi Sheep Characteristics
The fat tail, darker face and legs, and long floppy ears promptly separate the Awassi from different Sheep types, together with their upstanding position and moderately bristly white coat.
The rams have massive twisted horns.
Inconsistently they are incredibly peaceful Sheep and will bunch around you, snacking your fingers to affectionate any desire for some remunerating treat.
Awassi Ram and ewe sheep arrive at adolescence at around 8 to 9 months of age.
The rearing period of Awassi ewes begins as ahead of schedule as of April and endures through September.
After pubescence, Awassi rams are sexually active consistently throughout the year.
The normal estrous cycle in Awassi ewes is 15-20 days (average 17 days). Estrus ranges from 16-59 h (average 29 h) during the reproducing season.
The regenerative exhibition of unchanged Awassi sheep has been low, while improved Awassi has the highest fertility and milk generation and are the heaviest among all Awassi populaces.
The gestation period fluctuates from 149 to 155 days (average 152 days).
An Awassi ewe produces 60 to 70 liters milk for every 150 day lactation period under conventional and improved generation frameworks, individually, notwithstanding the suckled milk left for Sheep until weaning.
The breed is quiet around individuals, simple to work with, and effectively milked.
The rams are horned, and the ewes are typically polled.
The wool is generally rug type with a fluctuating level of hair.
Meat productions stand at 58 kgs of Lamb(ready to sell for the Market weight) and around 78 kgs of Mutton(Average matured weight).
The approximate quantity of wool produced per year is around 6 kgs to 12 kgs per year.
The leather obtained from the Sheep is handy for the manufacturing industries like shoes, coats, car seats, and even for furniture.
Awassi can survive in harsh conditions and with minimal pasture too.
Awassi Sheep Breeding
Estrus lasts up to 16 to 59 hours.
The Estrous cycle in Awassi ewes is around 15 to 20 days.
The gestation period usually fluctuates around 149 days to 155 days; typically it’s about 152 days.
Twinning is rear.
Awassi Sheep Wool
Awassi Sheep’s wool is considered as low-density wool or carpet wool. Most of the Middle East use this for carpet making.
According to “World Animal Science” Sheep and Goat Production (Elsevier Scientific Publication Co. 1982), the following measurements are
| Mean fiber diameter | 33 Micron |
| Grease Fleece Weight | 1.9 kilograms (4.2 pounds) |
| Yield | 85 % |
| Staple length | 16.5 cm |
| Fleece composition | |
| wool | 69 % |
| hair | 24 % |
| Kemp | 7 % |
History of Awassi Sheep
It is the predominant kind in Iraq, the most significant Sheep in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the Sheep’s primary indigenous type in Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel.
In the north of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it is reproduced under desert conditions.
In Turkey, the Awassi makes up one percent of the ovine populace; its rearing region is arranged in southern Anatolia in an outskirt strip along the principle extend living space of the breed in the Syrian Arab Republic.
The name of the Awassi is ascribed to the El Awas clan between the Tigris and Euphrates waterways. In scholarly Arabic, as is the term for the red-and-white camel clothing or a white sheep (Hirsch, 1933).
The name of the breed is likewise once in a while spelled Awasi, Aouasse, El Awas, Aussi, Ussy or Iwessi; in Turkey, it is called Ivesi or Arab and in individual pieces of the Syrian Arab Republic, Nu’amieh or Shami, the last being the Arabic name for Damascus.
Awassi Breed Information
Awassi sheep is the most prevalent type of Sheep found in most Arab countries.
The Awassi Sheep was breed most through regular selection with some specific rearing along the way of the Awassi sheep breeds advancement.
They are a reliable breed that is versatile to the most extraordinary conditions. They have novel physiology, which empowers them to walk long separates in the warmth; they are impervious to parasites and prevalent diseases.
As per Karras, the milk of Awassi ewes can contain as much as 13 percent butterfat (when contrasted with the 8 percent of Friesians) and is appropriate to cheesemaking. The fellahin and bedouin use Awassi milk for the creation of Baladi cheddar, a delicate unripened cheddar with a gentle, marginally salted flavor. Likewise, it is used to make bryndza, a feta-style cheddar, just as an assortment of different styles, including blues and bloomy skins.
During the hot months, the Awassi touch in gatherings, keeping their heads in the shade underneath their group mates’ stomachs. Their floor covering type wool likewise traps a layer of air, which fills in as a warm hindrance, shielding their skin from the exceptional warmth and sun oriented radiation.
At the point when the brushing is excellent, the Awassi store additional fat in their complete, thick tails, which they would then be able to use for vitality during times when sustenance is rare.
Brief characteristics of Awassi Sheep
| Breed Name | Awassi sheep |
| Other Name | Syrian Ausi, Nuami, Egyptian Baladi, Deiri and Gezirieh |
| Country/Place of Origin | Syria |
| Breed Purpose | Milk, Meat, and wool |
| Breed Size | large |
| Weight Ram(Male) | 120 to 200 pounds (60 – 90 kg) |
| Ewe(Female) | 75 to 120 pounds (35 – 55 kg) |
| Kidding | one to two lambs |
| Good for Stall Fed | open grazing and Stall-fed |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
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