Tan sheep, a unique breed native to the Yinchuan area in Ningxia, is renowned for its high-quality wool and is primarily raised in the surrounding counties along the Yellow River. As a branch of Mongolian sheep, this breed has adapted well to the local environment and plays an important role in both agriculture and traditional crafts.
In terms of physical appearance, Tan sheep are medium-sized with a strong and sturdy build. They have a slightly elevated nasal bridge, and their ears come in three sizes—large, medium, and small. Rams typically have spiral-shaped horns that grow outward, while ewes often have no horns or only a slight angle. Their back is straight, and they have a deep chest, along with strong, straight limbs and firm hooves. The breed is known for its fat tail, which is large at the base, narrow at the tip, and hangs down past the hock. The overall body color is pure white, though most have patches of brown, black, or yellow on the head. The wool is long, soft, and contains a good amount of downy hair, with minimal dry or dead hair. The fibers are well-defined and show clear strand characteristics.
Regarding production performance, Tan sheep are highly valued for their wool. They are sheared twice a year, with rams producing 1.6 to 2.0 kg of wool and ewes yielding 1.3 to 1.8 kg, with a wool yield rate exceeding 60%. The wool is shiny, elastic, and of excellent quality. Lambs are typically slaughtered at about one month old, and their fur is considered the premium product of the breed. These lambs have white, long, wavy hair that forms a beautiful pattern, making the fur light, soft, and highly desirable. Both before and after birth, these lambs grow faster than other breeds, and by the time of their first shearing, the wool length reaches around 5.4 cm, increasing to about 8 cm after birth. At this stage, the wool is dense and tightly packed, ensuring that garments made from it remain firm and well-structured.
In terms of meat production, Tan sheep are known for their tender and flavorful meat with even fat distribution and no strong odor. When grazing, adult rams can weigh between 51 to 60 kg, with a slaughter rate of about 45%, while adult ewes weigh 41 to 50 kg, with a slaughter rate of 40%. Eryang lambs, which are typically slaughtered at 6 to 8 kg, have a slaughter rate of 50%. The meat is leaner, more tender, and considered particularly delicious.
Reproductively, Tan sheep reach sexual maturity at 6 to 7 months for rams and 7 to 8 months for ewes. The ideal breeding age is between 2.5 to 6 years for rams and 1.5 to 7 years for ewes. Estrus begins in July, with the breeding season lasting from August to September. The estrus cycle lasts 17 to 18 days, and each estrus period lasts 26 to 32 hours. The gestation period is approximately 151 to 155 days, and the lambing rate ranges from 101% to 103%, indicating good fertility and productivity.
Pharmaceuticals
Shandong YingLang Chemical Co.,Ltd , https://www.sdylhgtrade.com