GRAZING AND FATTENING PROPERTIES AKKARABAS SHEEP

Аннотация

This article examines the growth characteristics, pasture-based fattening, and productivity traits of
Akkarabas lambs raised at the Kurmangazy Pedigree Sheep Breeding Plant, located in the Kurmangazy
district of the Atyrau region.
Currently, fat-tailed meat-and-fat sheep farming remains one of the key sectors of livestock
production in the Republic of Kazakhstan, accounting for over 70% of national mutton output. Fat-tailed
sheep breeds are distinguished by rapid growth rates; by the age of 12–16 months, the meat-to-bone ratio
in lambs approaches that of mature animals. The qualitative indicators of meat productivity are shaped by
both breed-specific and individual characteristics and are directly influenced by factors such as breed,
age, sex, feeding regimes, husbandry conditions, and genetic potential for precocity.
The growth and development of fat-tailed sheep follow distinct biological patterns. During the first
month of life, lambs gain an average of 359–400 grams per day, with some individuals reaching up to
450–500 grams daily, indicating intensive early development. From the second month onwards, growth
rates begin to decline, as maternal milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional demands of
rapid growth. At this stage, lambs require additional concentrated and green forage to maintain their
genetic growth potential. As such, a comprehensive and scientifically grounded approach to pasture-based
fattening of Akkarabas lambs is essential.
The breeding of Edilbay and Edilbay-type fat-tailed sheep enables efficient and profitable
utilization of pasture lands in Kazakhstan’s arid, semi-arid, and steppe zones, contributing to the
sustainable development of meat sheep farming across the country.