Cikta
Encyclopedia
The Cikta is a breed
of domestic sheep
from Hungary
. In the 18th century, this breed was brought to Hungary by German
settlers. This breed grows wool
but is primarily raised for meat. The Cikta belong in the Mountain Group of sheep breeds.
At maturity, rams weigh 37 kg (81.6 lb) and ewes weigh 45 kg (99.2 lb). At the withers, rams grow to 55 cm (21.7 in) and ewes to 47 cm (18.5 in). Ewes have an average 1.1 lambs per litter.
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
of domestic sheep
Domestic sheep
Sheep are quadrupedal, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Like all ruminants, sheep are members of the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. Although the name "sheep" applies to many species in the genus Ovis, in everyday usage it almost always refers to Ovis aries...
from Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. In the 18th century, this breed was brought to Hungary by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
settlers. This breed grows wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
but is primarily raised for meat. The Cikta belong in the Mountain Group of sheep breeds.
Characteristics
The Cikta is white (unicolored). Rams have horns and ewes are polled (hornless). Typically, horns are small or knob-like. Generally, this breed is adaptable to extreme climates. The ears are erect.At maturity, rams weigh 37 kg (81.6 lb) and ewes weigh 45 kg (99.2 lb). At the withers, rams grow to 55 cm (21.7 in) and ewes to 47 cm (18.5 in). Ewes have an average 1.1 lambs per litter.