Chios (sheep)

The Chios is a breed of domestic sheep with specific unknown origins. It is classified as a semi-fat tailed breed. The Chios are bred mainly for their milk production.^[1] Although there is speculation that this breed has been crossed with Kivircik and Dagliç, it is commonly accepted that this breed may have originated from the Greek island of Chios.^[2]

Characteristics

This breed typically has black spots on the ears, nose, belly, legs and around the eyes. Brown spots have been observed also. Mature ewes weigh 105 to 155 lb (48 to 70 kg) and mature rams weigh 145 to 200 lb (66 to 91 kg).^[1] Both sexes are horned; however, ewes can also be polled (hornless). Horns of the rams have a large spiral. If ewes have horns, they are small like a knob.^[2]

Ewes can have two crops of lambs per year with an average of 1.5 to 2.3 lambs per litter. Average weight at birth is 8.0 to 8.5 lb (3.6 to 3.9 kg). At 45 days, lambs weigh on average 32.5 to 35.0 lb (14.7 to 15.9 kg) Ewes can produce 265 to 600 lb (120 to 270 kg) of milk per lactation.^[1] The average lactation period is 210 days. The milk is used to produce many typoes of cheeses such as Feta, Batzos, Manouri and many others.^[2] The highest recorded milk production was 1,317 lb (597 kg) with a 272 lactation period.^[3]

Wool diameter is 27 to 35 micrometres with a spinning count 44's to 56's. The staple length is 8.0 to 13.0 cm (3.1 to 5.1 in). A raw fleece weighs about 2.6 to 5.5 lb (1.2 to 2.5 kg). There is considerable variation between individuals in regards to fleece quality. However, the quality of fleece of an individual is typically consistent.^[1]

From 1983 to 2007, the world population of the Chios has increased from 16,000 to 51,860 respectively.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Chios". Oklahoma State University, Dept. of Animal Science. http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/chios/index.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-18. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "Chios/Greece". Domestic Animal Diversity Information Service. http://dad.fao.org/. Retrieved 2009-06-18. 
3. ^ "Chios". Sheep101.info. http://www.sheep101.info/breedsC.html#Chios. Retrieved 2009-06-18. 

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