History
The sheep of western Thrace were formerly also known as Kivircik, denoting perhaps genetic links with the similarly named breed of northeast Asia Minor. It was a very numerous breed distributed in the Rodopi mountain range, on both sides of the Greek-Bulgarian border and bred mainly by Muslim populations. A few herds are still maintained by the Greek Pomaks. Although, Thraki sheep are even-woolled, they show certain similarities with coarse-woolled sheep such as Sarakatsaniko. The breed is rugged, of small size and low productivity. It is raised in a traditional or even primitive manner in areas noted for their severe winter conditions. It has access to rich pastures provided these are not snow-bound. A herd of about 40 animals was bred at the ‘Giannitsa Livestock Institute’ from 1969 until 1982.
Morphological Traits
Thrace sheep are of small size, even-woolled with the conformation of mountain type sheep. Average weight for rams is 47 kg and ewes 33 kg. Rams’ and ewes’ height at the withers is 63 cm and 56 cm respectively.
The head is small and conical with a straight profile and small semi-erect ears. Rams have spiral horns and ewes are hornless. The limbs are short, slender and strong.
The wool is of good quality and very fine, forming forelocks and covering all the body except the face and limbs. The colour is usually white with black or chestnut markings on the face, around the eyes, ears and trunk. Solid black specimens rarely occur.
Population
In 2009 there was 1 breeder located at Mikro Kechro village with a total of 120 animals. Today according to the Drama CAGR data (2019), 28 farms are listed in the herd book with a population of 5.890 animals. The breed is classified as ‘Not at Risk’.