Description of Romanov Sheep Breed
The Romanov sheep are from the Volga Valley, northwest of Moscow, Russia. The Romanov (a "pure gene" - not a "cross" of anything) used on traditional ewes, will produce a "hybrid" - high performance ewe for the flock of the future and a top gaining market lamb.
Quadruplets, quintuplets and even sextuplets are normal performance for a Romanov ewe. The Romanov breed record is a litter of nine.
Romanov sheep have a phenomenal early sexual maturity. Rams and ewes are fertile by the time they are three months old. Romanov ewes will breed any month of the year. This out-of-season breeding ability, combined with the multiple birth ability allow the high production of a Romanov ewe. Lambing every eight months, it is common for a Romanov ewe to lamb three times in two years, - with three to five lambs each time. Combined with the aggressiveness of the newborns that contributes to lamb survival, impressive lamb crops are possible.
Purebred Romanovs are born black and lighten to a soft silver grey as they make their fleece.
The hybrid advantage or "heterosis" affects rate of gain, lamb survival, fertility and litter size.
