Bellary are medium-sized sheep native to the districts of
Bellary and Davanagere and the adjoining areas of Haveri and Chitradurga
districts of Karnataka, India.
They are medium-sized with body colors ranging from white
through various combinations of white and black to black. Most rams have horns,
though ewes are generally polled. Their ears are medium long, flat and
drooping, their tail is short and thin, their fleece is extremely coarse, hairy,
and open and their belly and legs are devoid of wool.
In farmers flocks lambing percentage is 80 - 85% and the
litter size is generally single. Breeding is mostly pure. Rams are selected on
the basis of size. They are primarily maintained for meat. The ewes are milked
for home consumption. They are shorn twice a year in June and December/January.
Their average annual fleece weight is 600 gms with an average fiber diameter
and density of 59 micons and 350 cm respectively, and a modulation percentage
of 43.
About Bellary Sheep
