Balkhi sheep
{{Short description|Breed of sheep}}
{{Infobox sheep breed
| name = Balkhi
| image =
| image_alt =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| status =
| altname =
| country = Afghanistan, North-west Pakistan
| distribution =
| standard =
| type =
| use = Meat
| maleweight = {{Convert|70|kg|lb|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}
| femaleweight = {{Convert|70|kg|lb|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}
| maleheight = {{Convert|87|cm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}
| femaleheight = {{Convert|74|cm|in|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}
| skincolor =
| woolcolor = black, tan or grey
| facecolor =
| horns = Both sexes are horned
| note =
}}
The Balkhi is a domesticated breed of sheep found in Afghanistan and North-western Pakistan. This breed is of the fat-tailed mutton type.
{{cite web
|url=http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/balkhi/index.htm
|title=Balkhi
|work=Breeds of Livestock
|publisher=Oklahoma State University, Dept. of Animal Science
|accessdate=2009-05-15
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19971012162445/http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/balkhi/index.htm
|archivedate=1997-10-12
}} Though this breed does grow wool, it is primarily raised for meat.
{{cite web
|url=http://dad.fao.org/
|title=Balkhi/Pakistan
|work=Breed data sheet
|publisher=Domestic Animal Diversity Information System
|accessdate=2009-05-15}}
Characteristics
The Balkhi displays black, tan or grey. They yield approximately {{convert|2|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of coarse wool with an average 43.5 micrometre diameter. This breed has a low fiber density.
The ears are somewhat long, the body is muscular and compact. The tail is fat and tucked. Both sexes are horned.
On average at maturity, rams weigh {{convert|70|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and ewes {{convert|70|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. Rams grow to approximately {{convert|87|cm|in|abbr=on}} and ewes {{convert|74|cm|in|abbr=on}} at the withers. Ewes lactate for about 105 days and produce {{convert|60|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of milk on average during this period. At birth, rams weigh {{convert|5.2|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and ewes weigh {{convert|3.8|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.