Marwari

The Marwari name originates from the home tract of the breed – the Marwar region of Western Rajasthan which encompasses Jodhpur, Jalore, Nagaur, Pali, Sirohi and Barmer districts.

The breed resembles the black-headed Persian sheep but is smaller in size. It is also fairly widespread in Northern Gujarat. Marwari sheep are strong, well built and medium in size. The face is typically black, the colour extending to the lower part of the neck. The ears are extremely small and tubular. Both sexes are polled. The tail is short to medium and thin and the fleece is white and not very dense. Pure breeding is undertaken and rams are selected primarily on the basis of fleece production from within the rearers flock. Age at first lambing is 24 months. Lambing rate is about 85% and the litter size is mainly single. The ewes are not milked. Male lambs not needed for breeding are sold for slaughter between the ages of 6 and 8 months. The animals are generally shorn thrice a year. The average annual fleece weight is 1.6 kg with an average fibre diameter and density of 37 μ and 1,720 cm2 respectively, and a medullation percentage of 65.  

According to the 18th Livestock Census of 2007, the number of Marwari sheep in the country is 5,205,871. (Refer to maps below)

Text Source: NBAGR and http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/x6532e/X6532E02.htm#ch2.2.3

Photo Source: CSWRI, Avikanagar