Blinkhaar Ronderib Afrikanerskaap
Oorsprong van die ras:
Hierdie skaapras het sy oorsprong in die Midde-Ooste en Noord-Oos Afrika. Hulle het Suidwaarts saam met die Khoikhoin volkere gemigreer en tussen 400 en 600 na Christus in Suidelike Afrika aangekom nadat hulle met die Weskus langs gemigreer het om uiteindelik die suidpunt van Afrika te bereik. Teen daardie tyd was die skaap grootliks veelkleurig en het as die Kaapse vetstertskape bekend gestaan. In die 18de eeu het Kaapse boere van Nederlandse afkoms (Afrikaners) doelgerig begin om teen gekleurde skape te selekteer ten einde ‘n wit skaapras tot stand te bring, wat die basis vir die hedendaagse Blinkhaar Ronderib Afrikanerskaap gevorm het.
Algemene beskrywing:
‘n Tipiese vetstertskaap wat aangepas is vir droe gebiede, met die vermoë om energie in sy stert te stoor. Hierdie vetsterte weeg gemiddeld tussen 2 en 3 kg maar dit kan tot 5 kg haal. Die nek is kenmerkend slank en die ras het tipiese hangore. As ‘n ras vir die droe gebiede het dit lang, dun bene en ‘n hangkruis. Die liggaam (romp) is diep, met ‘n ovaal middelstuk. Hierdie bouvorm verleen aan die skaap die vermoë om lang afstande te kan stap op soek na weiding en water. Die ramme het normaalweg goed ontwikkelde horings maar natuurlike poenskopramme word ook gevind. Poenskopramme is dikwels in groot aanvraag vir kruisteling met veral van die wit wolrasse. Die gladde, blink haarkleed en die ronde ribvorm op deursnit is tipies van die ras. Streng rasstandaarde word oor die algemeen deur telers van hierdie unieke skaap gehandhaaf. Die vel met sy kenmerkende gladde haar en sagte gevoel word vir velkomberse (karosse) gebruik.
Eienskappe/Kwaliteite:
- Hoogs vrugbaar
- Goeie moeder-eienskappe
- Aangepas by uiterste omgewing en klimaatstoestande
- Hitte weerstandig/verdraagsaam
- Weerstandbiedend teen siektes en parasiete
- Goeie loop en weivermoë (blaar en grasvretend)
- Kruis goed met eksotiese skaaprasse
Normale produksie-omgewing:
Halfwoestyn en grasveld
Ras-eienskappe:
Volwasse gewig: Ramme 60-65kg Ooie 50-55kg
Ouderdom by eerste lam: 250 dae
Tussen lam-periode: 250 dae
Blinkhaar Ronderib Afrikaner sheep
Origin of the breed:
This breed had its origin in the Middle East and North East Africa from where they migrated southward with the Khoikhoin people, moving into South Africa between 400 and 600 AD, migrating down the west coast to the Southern tip of the continent. At that stage, the sheep were multi-coloured and were commonly known as Cape fat-tailed sheep. In the 18th century, Cape Dutch farmers began selecting against coloured coats. The sheep formed the basis of the present day Blinkhaar Ronderib Afrikaner sheep.
General description:
A typical fat-tailed sheep with the ability to store energy in its tail. These tails generally weigh between 2 and 3 kg but it can weigh as much as 5 kg. The neck is markedly thin and the breed has typical hanging ears. As an arid breed, the legs are long and slender, with a sloping rump and a deep body with an oval centre piece. This conformation allows the breed to cover long distances in search of grazing and water. The rams normally have well developed horns but polled rams are also found. Polled rams are often in demand for crossbreeding.
The shiny hair and rounded shape of the ribs on cross section (“blinkhaar ronderib”) is typical for this breed. Strict standards are maintained by breeders of this sheep. The skin is suitable for use as blankets (“karosse”) – a value added product.
Qualities:
- Highly fertile
- Excellent mothering ability
- Adapted to harsh and dry environemnts
- Heat tolerant
- Resistant to diseases and paracites
- Good walking abilities for grazing and foraging
- Cross breeds well with exotic sheep breeds
Normal production environment:
Arid grassland and semi-desert areas
Breed information:
Adult weight: Rams 60-65kg Ewes 50-55kg
Age at first lambing: 250 days
Average lambing interval: 250 days