Tiroler Steinschaf (A)

Index

Description

A medium to large sheep with black Roman head. Rams carry evenly curved horns whereas females are polled. Animals have medium-sized to strong legs with tight ankles and hard claws. The silky shining straight wool is grey, seldom white with longer and coarser upper hair and fine hair beneath.
Best suited for high mountains through excellent safety when moving, resistance and adaptability and best adaptation for regions with high precipitation and extreme sites.

General and History

The Tyrolese Steinschaf developed form the Zaupel and local autochthonous breeds. Oldest Tyrolese sheep breed that remained after strong decrease in Tux valley and was then bred there. Herd book foundation in 1973.

Distribution in the past and today

Today, the breed Tyrolese Steinschaf is mainly found in Ziller Valley and Eas Tyrol, but also in Salzburg, Voralberg, Styria and Carinthia.

Utilization

It is well suited as maternal basis for extensive lamb production and is used for landscape management in the Alps. The wool for clothes is durable and non-fading.

Performance

Withers height: > 80cm (m), >60cm
Body weight: 100-140kg (m), 80-120kg (w)
Fleece weight: 4.5 – 5.5kg (m), 4 – 5kg (w)
Lambing percentage: 180-220%

Processing and products

The ideal-colouring of the Tirol stone sheep, bright Silver-grey, ist caused historically. Till the middle of the last century on many farms in manual labour made loden cloths should be from nice silver-grey colour. Out of this loden cloth it is made because of the "Tuxer of cardigan", as a uniform component of the Zillertaler national costume. It is striking that this grey loden cloth is insensitively against every influence of light, he does not fade! Till this day becomes of the "Tuxer" festive occasions of the bands, protection companies and national costume groups of the whole Zillertales, but also in other regions, carried with pride.

Literature

Feldmann, A.; Bietzker,U.; Mendel, C. (2005): Schafrassen der Alpen, GEH und LfL, Grub, Deutschland (Hrsg.)
Haid, H., Haid, B. (2010): Das Schaf: eine Kulturgeschichte

Governmental organisations

Tiroler Schafzuchtverband
Brixner Straße 1, 6020 Innsbruck
www.bergschafetirol.com
http://www.kleintierzucht.it/tiroler-steinsschaf

Non-Governmental organisations

http://www.alpinetgheep.com/tiroler-steinschaf.html
http://www.arche-austria.at