Askanian Sheep Characteristics, Uses & Origin

The Askanian sheep (full name: Асканійська тонкорунна вівця) is a breed of domestic sheep from Ukraine. It is also known by some other names such as Askaniysky, Askanian Fine Fleece sheep and Ukrainian: Асканійський.

The breed was actually developed in the early 1900s at Askania Nova by crossing American Rambouillet with Merino. There were over 1.6 million Askanian sheep in 1980.

Today the breed is raised mainly for it’s fine quality wool. Read some more information about this Ukrainian sheep breed below.

Askanian Sheep Characteristics

The Askanian sheep are medium to large sized animals. They are mainly white and are unicolored with white face.

Their face is generally free of wool. The ewes are either polled or horned, but the rams are generally horned.

askanian sheep, about askanian sheep, askanian sheep appearance, askanian sheep breed, askanian sheep breed info, askanian sheep breed facts, askanian sheep behavior, askanian sheep care, caring askanian sheep, askanian sheep color, askanian sheep characteristics, askanian sheep color varieties, askanian sheep development, askanian sheep ewes, askanian sheep facts, askanian sheep for wool, askanian sheep for meat, askanian sheep farms, askanian sheep farming, askanian sheep history, askanian sheep horns, askanian sheep info, askanian sheep images, askanian sheep lambs, askanian sheep lambing, askanian sheep meat, askanian sheep milk, askanian sheep origin, askanian sheep photos, askanian sheep pictures, askanian sheep rarity, askanian sheep rearing, raising askanian sheep, askanian sheep size, askanian sheep temperament, askanian sheep tame, askanian sheep uses, askanian sheep varieties, askanian sheep weight, askanian sheep wool, askanian sheep wool production, askanian sheep wool quality

Average body height of the mature ewes is around 69 cm at the withers, and the rams are much larger than the ewes.

Average live body weight of the mature Askanian rams is around 115 kg. And the ewes are smaller than the rams. Their average live body weight is around 61 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.

Uses

This is a wool sheep breed. It is raised mainly for wool production.

Special Notes

The Askanian sheep are strong animals, and they are well adapted to their native climates. The ewes are good mothers, and they approximately produce around 1.27 lambs per litter.

Today the breed is raised mainly for wool production. Their wool is of very fine quality. However, review full breed profile of this breed in the following chart.

Breed NameAskanian
Other NamesAskaniysky, Askanian Fine Fleece sheep and Ukrainian: Асканійський
Breed PurposeMainly wool
Special NotesStrong animals, well adapted and do well in their native climate, ewes are good mothers, the ewes approximately produce around 1.27 lambs per litter, today raised mainly for wool production, the wool is of very good quality
Breed SizeLarge
WeightMature rams average live body weight is around 115 kg, and the mature ram’s average live body weight is around 61 kg.
HornsRams are horned, but the ewes are either horned or polled
Climate ToleranceNative climates
ColorWhite
RarityCommon
Country/Place of OriginUkraine

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top