Gurez Sheep Breed Profile Information

Gurez Sheep Profile:

The following article provides the details of Gurez sheep.

Gurez sheep Distribution: This sheep breed is distributed in the Gurez area of Northern Kashmir.The Gurez sheep breed is found in the Gurez block of Bandipore district in North Kashmir. They are the largest of the sheep breeds in the state.

Gurez Breed Conformation: Largest of the sheep breeds in Jammu & Kashmir. Generally white in colour, although some animals are brown or black or have brown or black spots. A small proportion of the animals have small, pointed horns. Tail is thin and short. Fleece is generally coarse and hairy. Ears are long, thin and pointed.

Gurez Breed Breeding: This sheep breed is being crossed with Merino for improving apparel-wool production and quality.

Gurez Sheep Breed Performance: The annual greasy-fleece weight varies from 0.5 to 1.2 kg per animal.

This sheep breed is generally white in colour, although some animals are brown or black or have brown or black spots. A small proportion of the animals have small, pointed horns. Some animals have multiple horns up to 4 to 6 in number. The tail is thin and short. The fleece is generally coarse and hairy. Ears are long, thin and pointed. Gurez  sheep is one of the finest carpet wool sheep breeds of the state. There is considerable cross-breeding with the Merino for improving apparel-wool production and quality. The annual greasy-fleece weight varies from 0.8 to 1 kg per animal. Breeding takes place mainly in August-September and to a limited extent in February-March. Around 45% of the sheep are shorn three times a year and the remaining twice.

Breed Performance:

For Agriculture in India : Read here.