The Hurri sheep breed is considered one of the best sheep breeds found in the Arab world in particular and in the world in general, as it is one of the tail-brained sheep breeds. The free sheep are generally found in the west and southwest of the Arabian Peninsula, that is, in Saudi Arabia. Its name comes from Al-Harrat, a region of extinct volcanoes in western Saudi Arabia.
Livestock is one of the most important natural resources that humans can benefit from, whether from their meat, fur, or skins. From ancient times until now, it has been a source of livelihood for many, and among the animals that generate a lot of money for their owners are sheep
Let’s learn more about it from teketrek.
An introductory overview of the wild sheep
This breed lives in Saudi Arabia in the Hijaz region, specifically in the mountainous areas, where it has a great ability to withstand the difficult conditions that the country may go through. It tolerates high temperatures and therefore has the ability to live in desert areas.
Al-Hari sheep live in large herds and are distinguished by their excellent ability to move and move around in search of food and water.
It grazes on grasses and shrubs, drinks from springs and wells, and is part of the herd and thus protects itself from any threats it may be exposed to.
Female Hari sheep give birth to their babies at the beginning of the spring month, when temperatures are moderate, in addition to the availability of fertile pastures. They are adept at caring for their small lambs, and usually give birth to one or more lambs. This breed is considered one of the most famous, richest and most delicious sources of milk, meat and wool production in the Arab world.
Through research on this type of sheep, we found that there are well-known breeds of sheep, which are as follows:
Daad dynasty, named after the Daad tribe.
The Bani Malik dynasty is named after the Bani Malik tribe.
Shahran dynasty, named after the Shahran tribe.
Stone sheep breed named after the Stone tribes.
It is noted that each dynasty goes back to a tribe called by its name, and this, if anything, indicates the civilizational, cultural and natural heritage it carries for future generations.
The most important advantages of Al-Hari sheep
Raising Hari sheep is easier than some other species, due to the nature of the sheep itself, which is characterized by the following:
Great degree of tolerance to hot and harsh climates.
Al-Hari sheep have a calm nature
War sheep have great resistance to disease
Low feed consumption
Large production of wool, milk and meat
All these advantages came together in this type of sheep, making it the ideal type capable of living in the harsh desert environment.
Al hari sheep characteristics
The Hurri sheep is a type of fat-tailed sheep. You can notice how the tail sways left and right when the sheep moves. In addition, you can notice the following:
The Hurri sheep is characterized by a large, broad-shouldered head
The Hurri sheep has medium-sized ears, which are shaped like a semicircle
The Hurri sheep has a rather long neck
This breed does not have horns.
The Hari sheep has a broad chest.
Al-Hari sheep are characterized by their wool being coarse and short.
The Hurri sheep is characterized by being high off the ground and having fairly large bones.
The color of the Hurri sheep is usually white, and it may have black spots and another color on the extremities, such as the ears or neck.
These are the main points that you can see when seeing this distinctive breed, which constitutes a distinguishing mark for all breeders and livestock traders as well.
Productive Al hari sheep characteristics
The weight of the male Hurri sheep in this breed can reach 90 kilograms, while the female weighs 60 kilograms. This variety has a high meat yield and an unforgettable taste, especially for young sheep.
This is why we find great demand for it during holidays and sacrifices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We also cannot forget the extent of its high productivity in producing fresh milk, as it is one of the breeds that has a quality of milk that cannot be underestimated.
The breeder can note that this type of sheep is an excellent type in terms of the production of young chicks
This breed has the ability to conceive twins more than others, and it is possible to have up to 3 small lambs.
In addition, this breed is distinguished by its mothers’ careful care of its young.
Threats facing Al-Hari sheep
This breed faces some threats that must be taken into consideration for its conservation, including
Urban expansion at the expense of green pastures.
Climate change
Poaching, whether by humans or other predators, is the biggest threat to it in pastures.
Based on these points, we must move quickly to protect this breed through:
Establishing natural reserves for the Hurri sheep breed.
Governments support sheep farming on a permanent basis.
Livestock is one of the powerful material sources that contribute to securing the great needs of the population. Therefore, it was necessary to know the extent of the threats facing this sector and solve the problems in order to reach the desired and specific goal.
Favorite food for Al-Hari sheep
We noticed that this breed is distinguished from others by its abundant production of meat, wool, and milk. If this matter indicates anything, it indicates the food provided to her. This breed depends mainly on grazing in fertile pastures, which is the main pillar of its diet, as the quality of grasses plays an important role in this.
In addition to grazing, the breeder adds supportive meals that include some types of feed that contain the basic vitamins it needs. In addition to food, the sheep drink water at specific times.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide a healthy source of water for them, because if they drink stagnant water laden with germs and parasites, it will cause health problems in the herd that you do not need.
FAQs about Al-Hari sheep
Is hare meat delicious?
Hari meat is considered one of the finest and most delicious types of meat.
How much does a free sheep weigh?
Its weight ranges from 9 to 13 kilograms.
What does free sheep mean?
It is a type of sheep that originates from the Hijaz region, and it was given this name in reference to the hots or dormant volcanoes found in that region.
Why is the sheep called Hari?
Referring to the Harrat that blinds the dormant volcanoes in the Hijaz.
Ultimately, one must know the interconnectedness of the relationship between man and animal, and know that the Hari sheep are not just a source of food and clothing, but rather a large part of the cultural and natural heritage that must be preserved for future generations.
