“Bhakarwal Sheep Breed: Characteristics, Wool Quality & Grazing Habits”

“Bhakarwal Sheep Breed: Characteristics”

"Bhakarwal Sheep Breed: Characteristics, Wool Quality & Grazing Habits"

Bhakarwal Sheep Information

Conservation StatusNot Listed / Native Breed
Scientific Classification
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Artiodactyla
  • Family: Bovidae
  • Genus: Ovis
  • Species: Ovis aries
Breed TypeMeat and Wool
Alternate Names
OriginDerived from the nomadic tribe “Bakerwals” who traditionally rear these sheep.
Distribution
  • State: Jammu & Kashmir
  • Districts: Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri
  • Geographical Coordinates:
    • Latitude: 32°35′N to 34°N
    • Longitude: 74°E to 75°E
  • Breeding Tract: Migratory across the fragile Shivalik hill range. Key places: Samba, Gogwal, Arnia, Riasi, Kalakot, Nowshera, Pahalgam, Shopian, Sonmarg, Baltal, Toss Maidan, etc.
Physical Traits
  • Coat Colour: Generally white with black head; ~5% are fully black
  • Horns: Present in males (2 horns, backward and downward curved). Females mostly polled, sometimes horned
  • Visible Characteristics: Medium-sized body with Roman nose, horizontal backward ears, wooly body coat, wool-free head, face, and legs
  • Hair or Wool: Wool
  • Fibre Type: Coarse / Carpet wool
  • Height (Avg): Male – 77 cm, Female – 68 cm
  • Body Length (Avg): Male – 81 cm, Female – 67 cm
  • Heart Girth (Avg): Male – 108 cm, Female – 88 cm
  • Weight (Avg): Male – 42 kg, Female – 33 kg
Main Use
  • Primary: Meat
  • Secondary: Wool (Carpet grade)
Breed Traits
  • Sturdy build and excellent climber, adapted to mountainous migratory routes
  • Good for long-distance grazing and thriving on natural forage
Reproductive Traits
  • Age at First Parturition: 23–29 months
  • Parturition Interval: 12 months
  • Litter Size: 1 (Single lambing is common)
Milk ProductionNot recorded
Wool Performance
  • Fleece Weight: 1.5 kg/year (Range: 0.8–1.8 kg)
  • Staple Length: 7.75 cm
  • Fibre Diameter: 30 µ (micron)
Dressing Percentage55%
Management
  • Management System: Extensive migratory grazing
  • Mobility: Fully migratory (nomadic)
  • Feeding: Natural pastures, jungle hay, tree loppings during winter
  • Housing: Temporary enclosures; open-air rearing year-round
Breed SocietiesNone
Herd Book or RegisterNo
Population
  • 2002: 2,596 (Survey by SKUAS&T, Srinagar)
  • 2004: 2,600 (Final Report, NATP-MM)
  • 2013: 82,334 (Breed Survey 2013, Government of India)
"Bhakarwal Sheep Breed: Characteristics, Wool Quality & Grazing Habits"

“Discover the Bhakarwal sheep, a hardy Himalayan breed known for its wool, meat, and migratory grazing. Learn about its temperament, uses, and why it’s vital to pastoral communities.”

THE RAJASTHAN EXPRESS