The idea of the Soviet breeders to create a breed that would have high productivity, precociousness and fecundity, and also easily adapted to changing weather conditions, was embodied in the Kuibyshev breed of sheep. The idea of scientists has turned out so successful that for many years its representatives are considered by many indicators to be the best among many similar breeds.
About breeding
This breed owes its appearance to the Soviet breeders of the Koshkinskaya state breeding station of the Samara (formerly Kuibyshev) region. It was they who in the 40s of the 20th century set themselves the goal of breeding sheep that would not be inferior in terms of basic indicators to representatives of the English Romney March march. 
As a result of their work, due to the crossing of two breeds: Circassian and romney march, managed to get a completely new domestic species of sheep. The Kuibyshev sheep were adapted to the abrupt changes in the continental climate, they were distinguished by the high precocity of the young generation, the rapid recruitment of muscle mass and the high quality of wool.
Did you know? Science is still unable to recreate a full-fledged analogue of sheep wool, which would not be inferior to it in quality and heat preservation.
Description and features
The appearance of these sheep causes emotion. Due to their thick light hair and muscular physique, they look like fluffed yarn on legs. 
External data
Outwardly, these sheep look like representatives of the English breed Romney-march. Animals have a long, barrel-shaped body and a strong constitution.
The overall external characteristic is as follows:
- The withers of these animals are muscular. Height in the area of withers is 74-86 cm.
- Legs short with strong hoofs.
- The head of the animal is wide and to the level of the eyes is completely covered with dense wool. Horns are absent both in bagels and in queens.
- The tail is cropped.
- The coat is thick, uniform color. In length, it can reach 12-14 centimeters. The structure of the strands - staple-tangled.
Read also about the breeds of sheep: Gissar, Romanov, edilbayevskaya, merino (breed, breeding).
Weight data
The average weight of the Kuibyshev sheep starts from 90 kg and can reach 170 kg. Uterus weighs less - ranging from 65 to 117 kg. The one-year-old ram weighs about 100 kg, three-month-old lambs - 18-20 kg, four-month-olds - up to 40 kg. 
Color
Wool from breeding sheep should be white.
Important! Wool pedigree Kuibyshev sheep should not have red spots, especially on the legs.
Character
These animals have docile temper, they are peaceful and quiet. Kuibyshev sheep are shy enough and prefer to keep the herd.
Productivity
Livestock productivity is estimated by the quality of wool and the increase in live weight.
Wool
Kuibyshev sheep have spiky staple fleecewhich is distinguished by its high cost. Wool is the main product derived from these animals.
Wool yield up to 65%. Cutting from one sheep can be 6-7 kg, from the uterus it is half as much. A 50 micrometer wool thickness is one of the best indicators among semi-fine fleece sheep. 
Precocity and meat quality
Kuibyshev sheep belong to to early. This means that they build muscle mass in a short time.
Intensive growth begins at the age of six months. The young animal has a massive meat composition. The optimal time for slaughter is 10 months. At this time, the animal reaches 75 percent of the live weight of the adult.
A feature of this species is considered marbling of meat. By the age of 10 months, the meat of Kuibyshev sheep reaches the optimum ratio of meat and fat tissue, acquiring marbling. The meat of these sheep is considered one of the best in the world. It has no peculiar smell, it is extremely gentle and soft. With age, it loses its tenderness and marbling. That is why the most valuable meat is ten-month-old animals.
Get acquainted with the best breeds of dairy, meat and fine-fleeced sheep.
Milk
Kuibyshev uterus gives tasty and nutritious milk. It is rich in B vitamins, calcium and folic acid. Delicious sheep cheeses are made from it. Daily milk yield is about 6 liters of milk. Cattle breeders are advised to practice milking three times with these sheep.
Did you know? Sheep, like octopuses, have rectangular pupils.
Fertility
This breed is different high fecundity uterus: 120-130 lambs per 100 heads of queens. This means that in 20-30 queens twins are born. In percentage terms, the fertility rate is 120-130%. 
Breeding areas
Most of the breed of this breed is concentrated in the place of their selection - in Samara region. A large herd is also found in the Ulyanovsk region, Bashkiria, Tatarstan and Mordovia. Since these animals can easily adapt to any climatic conditions, Kuibyshev breeding rams are used for crossing with representatives of local coarse-haired breeds.
Conditions of detention
This breed is loved by many precisely for its high adaptation characteristics. As a rule, the content of these sheep does not cause much difficulty. In general, you must take into account some mandatory conditions.
Room Requirements
Nostral sheep can easily transfer even the coldest winter in an unheated room. They do not need a large space - 2 square meters per animal will be quite enough. It is desirable that the room was well ventilated and not too wet. Ideally for this breed suitable frame made of wood. A mandatory requirement that cannot be ignored is a solid floor covering. It can be either from clay or from the ground. Above, a uniform bedding of sand (provide the necessary drainage) and straw (for warming) is necessary. 
Grazing
Long grazing of animals in the warm season is a prerequisite for their normal development. The ideal option for these sheep would be round the clock walking. If this is not possible, then it is desirable that the animals spend as much time as possible in the fresh air. When equipping a paddock, it should be borne in mind that there should be at least 3-4 square meters of green cover per head. Also, be sure to design a watering can and shed, so that animals can hide from the sun.
Learn more about the arrangement of sheep pens.
Feeding and water
For feeding animals, use double-sided feeders with inclined grids to prevent the feed from falling out. Drinking bowls can be used both stationary and automatic. Kuibyshev sheep do not overeat, and they themselves clearly set the amount of food eaten, they need to saturate. Their diet must contain salt and chalk. These mineral supplements are necessary for the normal development of the animal. Depending on the season, the Kuibyshev sheep eat dry or succulent fodder. In the cold season, you can use special feed for sheep. 
How to endure cold, heat
These sheep easily tolerate both high and low temperatures, as well as strong wind. They do not suffer from frost and overheating. The only thing they do not tolerate - excessive moisture and dampness. Wet hooves and damp hair can cause the development of fungal diseases in livestock.
Important! For the health of sheep, it is extremely important that their feeders and drinkers are always kept clean.
A haircut
Haircut is carried out twice a year with a special machine. This procedure is carried out in early spring, before the start of spring molting. In the summer months they become overgrown with new hair, so this procedure can be repeated again in the fall. Do not be afraid that in winter the animals will freeze without wool. Before the onset of this cold weather, it will grow from them. 
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any other breed, Kuibyshev sheep have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, before deciding to breed these animals, you should weigh the pros and cons.
Advantages:
- high adaptation abilities to abrupt climate changes;
- high quality wool;
- high fecundity;
- excellent meat quality (marble and has no characteristic smell);
- the rapid growth of young;
- unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention.
Learn more about sheep breeding: mating of sheep, pregnancy of a sheep, caring for lambs (orphan lambs).
Disadvantages:
- the inability to grow livestock in dry pastures;
- fluctuations in the fineness of wool in non-tribal representatives of the breed.
Video: Kuibyshev breed of sheep
Kuibyshev sheep are able to fully meet the needs of the family in quality meat, as well as natural wool. And the surplus of products, thanks to its high quality, can be easily realized in specialized markets. At the same time, the animal does not require special conditions of detention, which greatly simplifies the task for beginner breeders.
