History
The Katsika Sheep breed was named after Katsika village, situated on the shores of Pamvotis lake in the Epirus prefecture. It was established during the interwar period from crosses of Epiros Mountain sheep and the lowland Karaman sheep from central Turkey. It is adapted to the humid, swampy and cold regions where it is bred and the mountainous steep meadows it forages in the summer months. Katsika herds follow the traditional transhumancing system between winter lowland and summer highland pastures. It is mainly a dairy breed whose milk is used in cheese making. The ‘Ioannina Agricultural Research Station’ maintained a large herd of Katsika sheep for many years from1937. However, by 1996 the herd numbered only 38 animals and in a few years it was sold off. Most Katsika breeders are members of the ‘Epirus Co-operation of Transhumancing Livestock Breeders’ established in 2008, along with breeders of Kalarytiko and Sarakatsaniko sheep breeds.
Morphological Traits
Katsika sheep are medium-sized, coarse-woolled and thin-tailed. Average weight for rams is 69 kg and ewes 49 kg. Height at the withers for rams and ewes is 70 cm and 61 cm respectively.
Rams usually have large and strong spiral horns. A small percentage of ewes carry small poorly developed horns. The head is conical with a convex profile and proportionally large semi-pendulous ears. The chest is deep and wide. The back is rather straight, and the limbs are short and slender. The tail is of medium length and width.
The greater part of the body is covered by dense wool often forming a forelock and relatively long cords. The colour is uniform while the fleece is white with small black markings on the ears, eyes, cheeks and mouth.
Population
According to the Ioannina CAGR data (2019), the total population of the Katsika breed is approximately 1,800 animals.
The breed falls into the ‘Minority’ status.