Detailed Explanation of the Technical Points and Methods for Confined Raising of Small-Tailed Han Sheep

Small-Tailed Han sheep have characteristics such as fast growth and development, early maturity, strong reproductive capacity, stable genetic performance, and strong adaptability. They have been designated by the state as a famous fine livestock breed. They are not only one of the best projects for farmers to escape poverty and become prosperous, but also the most reliable project in the government's poverty alleviation work, and an important measure for the state to close hillsides for reforestation, return farmland to grassland, plant grass and raise sheep, and build ecological agriculture. Now let us take a look at the confined raising techniques for Small-Tailed Han sheep!

Select Superior Breeding Sheep

Good breeding sheep are the seeds for creating profit. Without good seeds, profits will certainly not be high. Friends can choose high-yield and high-quality breeding sheep varieties according to their purposes. Rams should have a standard and robust body type, straight back and loin, deep and broad chest, well-developed testicles, and obvious male characteristics. Ewes should have a large body type, a compact and full physique, a straight back and loin, a slightly larger hind abdomen, well-proportioned limbs, and well-developed udder and reproductive organs. Through family line selection, retain male and female lambs from multiple births as breeding stock.

Feeding of Breeding Rams

The mating ability of breeding rams depends on a robust physique, abundant energy, and strong libido. Therefore, adequate supply of protein, vitamins, and minerals should be ensured to maintain moderate body condition of breeding sheep. One month before mating, gradually supplement with concentrated feed such as corn, wheat bran, soybean cake, and bone meal, with a daily supplement of 0.5-0.75 kg, 1.5 kg of green and juicy feed such as radish and other melons and vegetables, 2 eggs, and sufficient drinking water. During the non-mating season, breeding rams should be grazed separately. It is best for breeding rams to mate only once per year, so as to prevent the flock from producing lambs in all four seasons.

Timely Mating and Lambing

The initial mating age for ewes is over 6 months, and for rams it is 10 months of age. High-quality ewes can produce two litters per year, and mating can be arranged in spring and autumn. When a ewe is in heat, it shows redness and swelling of the vulva, discharge of mucus, swinging and raising of the tail, constant bleating, reduced feed intake, and restlessness, and should be mated in time. For natural mating, the ram-to-ewe ratio is 1:20-30, and for manual assisted mating, the ram-to-ewe ratio is 1:30-40. Artificial insemination techniques can also be implemented, and the method must be scientific and correct. It is required to repeat mating 12 hours after the first mating to help increase the conception rate and the number of lambs. In this way, two litters per year or three litters in two years can be achieved, with an average litter size of more than 2 lambs, and some as high as 3-4 lambs.

Artificial Estrus Induction Techniques

1. Vaginal sponge method: Place a sponge soaked with progesterone at the external opening of the cervix for 10-14 days. After stopping the drug, inject 400-500 international units of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. Estrus occurs after about 30 hours. Inseminate once on the day of estrus and once the next day. Hormones include 150-300 mg of progesterone, 50-70 mg of medroxyprogesterone, 80-150 mg of melengestrol, 30-40 mg of 18-methylnorethisterone, 20-40 mg of flurogestone, etc.

2. Oral method: Mix the drug evenly into the feed every day and feed continuously for 12-14 days. The dosage is 1/5 of that of the vaginal sponge method. On the day the drug is stopped, inject 400-750 international units of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin intramuscularly.

3. Prostaglandin method: Several days after the end of estrus in ewes, prostaglandin can be infused into the uterus or injected intramuscularly, and estrus and mating can occur in 2-3 days.