Zackelschafe Tiergarten Bernburg 06-03-2008

The Racka (pronounced Hungarian �rɒts.kɒ or Hortobágy Racka Sheep is a

breed A breed is a specific group of domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species. In literature, there exist several slig ...

of sheep known for its unusual

spiral In mathematics, a spiral is a curve which emanates from a point, moving farther away as it revolves around the point. Helices Two major definitions of "spiral" in the American Heritage Dictionary are:horns. These unique appendages are unlike any other domestic sheep horns, and may grow up to long. The smallest standard length is for rams and for ewes. The breed has been kept by Hungarians for many centuries and was once the most common variety in Hungary. Now the largest stocks are found in the Hortobágy steppes of Hungary and to a lesser extent in Caras Severin, Romania. Because of its unique features it has been exported in growing numbers to the United Kingdom, United States and France, while in its home range interest remains limited. It is a hardy, multi-purpose breed used for

milking Milking is the act of removing milk from the mammary glands of cattle, water buffalo, humans, goats, sheep, and, more rarely, camels, horses and donkeys. Milking may be done by hand or by machine, and requires the animal to be currently or recen ...

, wool and

meat Meat is animal flesh that is eaten as food. Humans have hunted, farmed, and scavenged animals for meat since prehistoric times. The establishment of settlements in the Neolithic Revolution allowed the domestication of animals such as chic ...

. Their wool is long and coarse, and appears in two general types: a cream wool with light brown faces and legs, and a black variation. Ewes weigh around , and rams . The breed's unique appearance and quiet disposition make it a desirable animal for hobby situations.

Characteristics

This breed is unique with both sexes possessing long spiraling shaped horns, which protrude almost straight upward from the top of the head. There are two major color patterns with the Racka. The most common color is brown wool covering the heads and legs with the fiber varying in color from dark brown to light brown and white. Individuals can also be solid black. The wool tips on the black-colored sheep fades to a reddish black with exposure to sunlight and as they get older, the points of the fiber turns gray. The fiber diameter varies within this breed and generally is found to be 12 to 40 micrometres with a yield of 38% to 65%. Staple length is approximately . Fleece weight must be at least for rams. The softness and crimp of the wool would indicate its interest with hand spinners. The minimum acceptable mature body weight for ewes is and for rams . The rams average in height. The sheep were traditionally kept for both milk and meat. The fleece is coarse.

References

Sheep breeds originating in Hungary Sheep breeds {{sheep-stub