Sheep : PERSIAN

Origin: South Africa

Australian Status:

International Status:

Arrived in Australia: The coloured head variety was imported into Australia in 1999 as embryos by Genelink in South Australia. Skilder Persians arrived in 2005 again by embryos.

Australian Population: Ewes: 249    Rams: 32 (2017)

Distribution:

History: Persian sheep are an ancient breed of fat tailed sheep that originated in Africa. They originally moved with early man from the Middle East in areas we know as Iran and Iraq (formerly Persia) hundreds of years ago. As people moved south into Saudi Arabia and Somalia and then into Namibia and South Africa, they took their sheep with them. The small flocks were managed by village shepherds and breeding was only loosely controlled. In some parts of Africa, that tradition still remains and the flocks are tended by young boys.

It was in the 20th century that South African farmers began to be more selective about the breeding within their flocks, choosing better animals and controlling breeding so a more uniform, robust and attractive animal was produced. Fortunately the breed retained the natural hardiness, tolerance of dry conditions and effective foraging ability that was innate in these sheep. And thus, the modern Persian developed.

Persian sheep come in two varieties.....Harlequin (Speckled) and Kleur Kop (coloured head) which is generally black or red. The Harlequin variety is known as Skilder sheep in Afrikaans which translates as "painted sheep". The black headed Persian is one of the breeds that were used to develop the Dorper breed.

Breed traits: Persians grow hair instead of wool and tolerate heat better than the woolly breeds. They do not require shearing but shed their outer coat annually. They do not suffer from fly strike and do not require crutching. Both sexes are polled and they are known for being a healthy breed with the ability to put on fat in tough conditions. In addition to storing fat in their tails, they can also store fat in their dewlaps. Persians have a placid, even temperament and are noted for their fertility. The ewes have few, if any, lambing problems and have the ability to breed every eight months. They produce a high number of twins, so provide an excellent mother line for crossbreeding.

At maturity rams weigh around 68kg and ewes around 52kg.

Uses: Meat, Pets

Breed Organisation: Persian Sheep Society of Australia, Secretary: Sharon Evans, persiansociety46@gmail.com

Additional Notes:

Photo of Kleur Kop Persians courtesy of Dr Colin Walker, Coolibah Persian Stud. http://www.persiansheep.com/

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