Sheep Weight by Age and Breed: Naimi, Harri and Najdi Guide
How much do Naimi, Harri and Najdi sheep weigh by age? Approximate tables from birth to adult, carcass weight, Eid and Aqiqah tips, and why the scale decides.
Sheep weight varies a lot with breed, age, feeding and genetics. Roughly, a lamb is born at 3 to 5 kg, reaches about 15 to 25 kg at weaning and about 30 to 45 kg at 6 months. Among adult Saudi breeds, Najdi is usually the heaviest, then Harri, then Naimi. These are guide figures only; only a scale gives you the real weight.
Breeders and buyers ask about weight for different reasons: the breeder to check that the flock is growing as it should, the buyer to judge whether the price is fair, especially with sale by weight in Saudi markets since 1447 AH. This article gives approximate tables to help you compare, with one important warning: there are no fixed official figures, and differences within a single breed are large.
Why does sheep weight vary so much?
- Feeding. A lamb on poor grazing grows far more slowly than one on a balanced fattening ration.
- Genetics. Offspring of a heavy ram and a milky ewe start life with a clear advantage.
- Twins or singles. Twins are usually born lighter than singles and take time to catch up.
- Sex. Males are usually heavier than females of the same age.
- Health. Worms, pneumonia and diarrhoea steal weeks of growth.
- Heat and water. Heat stress cuts feed intake and therefore weight.
So the tables below are a starting point only. The meaningful comparison is between your own animals over time.
Sheep weight by age (approximate)
| Age | Approximate weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | 3 to 5 kg | Twins are usually lighter |
| Weaning (about 2 to 3 months) | 15 to 25 kg | Depends heavily on the ewe's milk and creep feed |
| 6 months | 30 to 45 kg | Lambs on fattening programmes at the upper end |
| 1 year | 40 to 60 kg | Males heavier than females |
| Adult | Depends on breed (next table) | Affected by body condition and season |
Adult weight of Naimi, Harri and Najdi sheep (approximate)
| Breed | Adult ewe, about | Adult ram, about | General notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naimi | 45 to 60 kg | 60 to 85 kg | Medium-sized, very hardy, highly sought after in Saudi markets |
| Harri | 50 to 65 kg | 65 to 90 kg | Medium to large |
| Najdi | 50 to 70 kg | 70 to 100 kg or more | Usually the largest of the three local breeds |
These ranges are deliberately wide. A well-fed Naimi can outweigh a poorly fed Najdi. For each breed's traits, see Saudi sheep breeds: Naimi, Najdi and Harri.
Live weight and carcass weight
Live weight is the animal's weight on the scale. Carcass weight, after slaughter, skinning and removal of the offal, head and feet, is usually about 45 to 55% of live weight. An illustrative example: a sheep weighing 50 kg live may give a carcass of roughly 22 to 27 kg.
The percentage changes with:
- Finish. A well-fattened animal gives a higher percentage.
- Gut fill. An animal that has just eaten and drunk weighs more live and gives a lower percentage.
- Wool and fat tail. These affect both live and carcass weight depending on how the carcass is dressed.
Sheep weight for Eid al-Adha and Aqiqah
As commonly understood, there is no set religious "weight" for an Eid sacrifice (udhiyah) or an Aqiqah; what scholars usually mention is age and freedom from obvious defects. Many scholars cite a minimum of about 6 months for sheep. For the rulings themselves and the differences of opinion, ask a qualified scholar or a trusted fatwa body; this article is not a religious reference.
In practical terms:
- Choose a healthy, alert animal in good body condition; that matters more than the number on the scale.
- Weight drives meat yield and price. If you want a certain amount of meat, work back from live weight using the approximate carcass percentage above.
- Weigh before you buy on a scale both parties can see, especially in the Eid season.
For breeders preparing for the season: start early and weigh every two weeks, as in our guide to preparing your flock for Eid al-Adha.
How to calculate average daily gain
The tables tell you roughly where your animal sits, but the more important question is: is it growing fast enough? The answer is average daily gain (ADG):
ADG = (current weight − previous weight) ÷ days between weighings
An illustrative example: a lamb weighs 28 kg, and 14 days later it weighs 31 kg. That is 3 kg in 14 days, or about 0.21 kg per day.
| Situation | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Steady or rising gain | Feeding and health are on track | Continue and watch the cost |
| Gain clearly below the rest of the group | A problem with that animal | Check teeth, worms, lameness; call the vet if needed |
| The whole group stops gaining | A feed, water or heat problem | Review the ration, water and shade |
| Weight loss | A health warning | Isolate the animal and call the vet |
Common weighing mistakes
- Weighing at different times of day, once before feeding and once after.
- Writing the weight against the wrong number.
- Making a sale or culling decision on a single weighing.
- Never checking the scale with a known weight.
Why weigh instead of estimating?
Eye estimates are often wrong, especially with heavy fleece or a moving animal. Regular weighing gives you what guessing cannot:
- Average daily gain for each head, and which animals are not responding to feed.
- Comparisons of breeds and rams on your own farm rather than general talk.
- Sale timing, when the value of extra gain meets the cost of feed.
- A clear case at sale, with weights and a documented growth record.
In Throf, weight is recorded in each animal's file alongside breed, sex and birth date, so you can follow its growth curve. With a smart scale that reads the RFID ear tag, the weight is sent to the app and saved in the animal's history automatically, with no typing. To choose a scale, read our livestock scale buying guide.
Start weighing today
Register your flock in Throf on the free plan for small herds, or subscribe and pay online for larger herds (coupon THROF15 for 15% off). For automatic weighing, request a quote for tags or a scale on WhatsApp.
FAQ
How much does a Naimi sheep weigh?
Roughly, an adult Naimi ewe weighs about 45 to 60 kg and a ram about 60 to 85 kg, with large differences due to feeding and genetics. A scale is the only accurate reference.
How much does a 6-month-old lamb weigh?
Usually about 30 to 45 kg, with lambs on good fattening programmes at the upper end of that range.
How much meat does a sheep give after slaughter?
Carcass weight is usually about 45 to 55% of live weight, depending on finish and gut fill.
Is there a required weight for an Eid or Aqiqah sheep?
As commonly understood, the conditions concern age and freedom from defects, not weight. For religious details, ask a qualified scholar.
General guidance only — it does not replace your veterinarian or the competent authority in your country.
