Guirra sheep are raised mainly for meat. But they do provide a good amount of milk and wool. The breed is from Spain. Due to the reddish-brown color of the skin, the breed is called Red Levantine or Roja de Levantina.
Guirra sheep breed information
Guirra sheep is medium built with reddish-brown color skin.
The dark red pigmentation on their skin with no so dense wool but quite greasy is the first thing to notice on the Guirra breed.
The ears of Guirra are long that measures 10 to 12 cm and they are held horizontally.
Both sexes are polled.
The mature Guirra ram weighs around 80 kg (180 lb) and ewe weighs 50 kg (110 lb).
Lambs start with a reddish-brown fleece but as they grow their wool lightens to a red and cream color mixed fleece.
The lambs reach the slaughter weight of 20 to 25 kg in the span of three months.
Guirra’s milk is used to make cheese
Guirra sheep are very rustic breed. Very resistant to heat and drought. Even ewes consume very less water during the summer.
Guirra’s temperament is very calm and can be bucket trained very easily.
Guirra sheep live up to 13 years.
Guirra sheep eats all kind of leaves from the trees, just like Goats. So they’re resistant to many diseases.
Guirra sheep can adapt to the most unfavorable conditions such as a shortage of feed at ground level.
Things to know
Guirra sheep also called by several names as Red Levantine or Roja de Levantina, Sudat.
The breed is developed through the crossing of local Spanish breed, the Manchega with North African thin-tail breeds.
The breed is mainly found on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Provinces of Alicante, Castellon de la Plama and Valencia have kept these breeds.
Previously the Guirra sheep were raised for milk, meat, and wool. But now they are raised only for the meat.
The population of Guirra remains so low, 10 years ago there were 3000 and now its no more than 3500.
The Guirra breed is now officially protected in Spain.
Brief characteristics of Guirra sheep
| Breed Name | Guirra sheep | |
| Other Name | Red Levantine or Roja de Levantina, Sudat | |
| Country/Place of Origin | Spain | |
| Breed Purpose | meat, milk, and wool | |
| Breed Size | medium | |
| Weight Ram(Male) | 80 kg (180 lb) | |
| Ewe(Female) | 50 kg (110 lb) | |
| Kidding | single or twins | |
| Good for Stall Fed | open grazing | |
| Climate Tolerance | local conditions |
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