Gaddi Sheep Breed: Characteristics, Uses & Distribution

Gaddi Sheep Breed: Characteristics

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Gaddi Sheep Information

Conservation Status Not specified (Population data available)
Scientific Classification
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Artiodactyla
  • Family: Bovidae
  • Genus: Ovis
  • Species: Ovis aries
Breed Type Wool and Meat (Dual-purpose)
Alternate Names Bhadarwah, Chamba Gaddi, Kashmiri
Origin Named after the Gaddi tribes who maintain these animals
Breeding Tract
  • Primary: Himachal Pradesh (Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Lahul & Spiti)
Geographical Range
  • Longitude: 74°54′ to 76°20′ E
  • Latitude: 31°50′ to 32°43′ N
Main Uses Wool production, Meat
Physical Traits
  • Color: Usually white (tan, brown, black or mixtures also seen)
  • Horns: Present in both sexes (rams: 18.5cm curved; ewes: 6.4cm small)
  • Size: Medium-sized with small ears
  • Wool: Relatively fine and dense fleece
Morphology (Avg.)
  • Height: 59.05 cm (Male), 57.83 cm (Female)
  • Body Length: 70.41 cm (Male), 69.52 cm (Female)
  • Heart Girth: 67.97 cm (Male), 65.90 cm (Female)
  • Weight: 26.59 kg (Female)
  • Birth Weight: 3.41 kg (Male), 3.16 kg (Female)
Performance
  • Age at First Parturition: 23.75 months
  • Parturition Interval: 12.33 months
  • Litter Size: 1 lamb
  • Fleece Weight: 1-1.5 kg/year
  • Staple Length: 5.7 cm
  • Fiber Diameter: 28.52 µ
Management
  • System: Extensive
  • Mobility: Stationary & Transhumant
  • Feeding: Grazing-based
Population
  • 2004: 1,100,000 (NBAGR Symposium)
  • 2013: 295,010 (Govt. of India Survey)
Gaddi sheep Gaddi sheep breed Gaddi sheep characteristics Gaddi sheep wool Himachal Pradesh sheep breed Indian sheep breeds Gaddi sheep uses Gaddi sheep distribution Carpet wool sheep India Transhumant sheep breed

Discover the Gaddi sheep breed: medium-sized, wool-producing sheep native to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. Learn about their traits, uses, and habitat.

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