Kow Debar: An Indigenous Black Sheep Population from the Hills of Uttarakhand

Abstract

The study focused on the phenotypic characterization of Kow Debar sheep, a lesser-known sheep population from Uttarakhand, primarily found in Pauri Garhwal, Almora, and Chamoli districts at elevations of 1600–2200 meters above sea level. Data from 43 villages and 80 farmers revealed that Kow-debar sheep are small in size, black colour and compact with coarse fiber coats. They have slightly convex heads, medium-sized horizontally oriented ears, and medium curved horns in males, while mostly females are hornless. Their husbandry involves an unorganized, semi-feral system, with sheep grazing 4–6 hours daily on local vegetation. Housing varies by flock size, and breeding is uncontrolled, primarily using flock-owned males.