Zaian

Zaian is a Moroccan sheep associated with the Khenifra area and the Middle Atlas region, with reported ancestry from Tadla sheep and some Berber influence. It is a North African local breed shaped by pastoral and agro-pastoral use rather than by a narrow show standard. The name points to regional adaptation, meat value, and the ability to function in upland Moroccan conditions with seasonal feed changes.

Zaian flocks need management that respects climate, grazing cycles, and local market demands for lamb and mature sheep. Breeding should favor sturdy feet, good mouths, ewes that rear lambs reliably, and animals that maintain condition without heavy concentrate feeding. Outside Morocco, the breed name should be handled cautiously; verified origin and flock history matter. Its practical value is in local adaptation and regional identity more than export-style uniformity.