Fleece production and wool quality characteristics of Coimbatore sheep

Abstract

Coimbatore sheep, a woolly breed of Tamil Nadu, produces coarse carpet wool suitable for making rough blankets (kamblis). A study conducted in the native environment revealed that the least-squares mean of annual greasy fleece weight was 403.6±12.2 g and values for males and females were 466.1±19.6 and 341.1±10.1 g respectively. The mean scouring and clean wool yields were 89.78±O.74 and 81.38±1.05 % respectively. The average staple length of annual fleece was 5.50±O.18 cm and staple crimp (No.lcm) was O.2±O.02. The least-squares means of fibre diameter and medullation percentage were 45.8±2.2 micron and 48.76±2.85. Influence of non-genetic factors on fleece yield and wool quality was also observed. Subjective analyses revealed that fleece colour was predominantly pale yellow (48.1 %) and less lustrous. Canary colouration was present only in 18.5 % of wool samples. The feel was mostly soft and the appearance was coarse.