Ţigaie

Tigaie, often written Țigaie or Tsigai, is a southeastern European sheep with a long history across Romania, the Balkans, and neighboring regions. It is valued as a semi-fine to medium-wool breed with mixed use for milk, meat, and fleece, depending on local ecotype and management. Compared with the coarser mountain Tsurcana, Tigaie is usually associated with more uniform wool and lowland or foothill production systems.

Flock management varies widely by country, but practical breeding usually balances udder function, lamb growth, fleece quality, and the ability to graze through seasonal weather. Dairy-oriented flocks may milk ewes after lamb rearing, while wool-focused systems sort fleece for textile use. Because the breed name covers regional variation, buyers should ask which strain or national population is represented, especially when comparing size, wool fineness, and milk potential.