How long does it take to market sheep?

China is a major sheep-raising country with abundant local high-quality sheep breeds, such as Leizhou goats, Nanjiang yellow sheep , etc. Each breed has its own different characteristics and growth characteristics. So how long does it usually take to market sheep? Let’s learn more about it below.

How long does it take to market sheep?

The time when sheep are slaughtered is greatly affected by their breed, and is also related to breeding model, feeding management level, etc. Usually large meat breeds, such as Boer goats , small-tail Han sheep, etc., the lambs of these breeds are mostly slaughtered at 3-5 months of age. As for small meat breeds, such as the Matou goat and Nanjiang yellow sheep, the lambs of these breeds are mostly slaughtered at 7-10 months of age.

In addition, when fattening sheep in a confinement mode, they can be marketed faster. Because stall feeding can provide a more stable feeding environment and nutrient supply, it is conducive to the rapid growth of sheep. Correspondingly, it takes relatively longer for sheep to be slaughtered under the grazing mode, especially in the case of half grazing and half stall feeding. Generally, they are slaughtered at 10-14 months of age.

What are some ways to get sheep to the market quickly?

1. Variety selection

Selecting meat breeds with fast growth rate and large size, such as Boer goats and small-tailed Han sheep, can significantly shorten the time to market.

2. Feeding and management

Roughage and concentrated feed should be reasonably matched to ensure the nutritional balance of the sheep. When feeding, pay attention to adjusting the ratio of concentrated feed to roughage according to the weight of the sheep. At the same time, ensure that the sheep have sufficient and clean drinking water supply, especially in winter and spring, it is best to provide warm water.

3. Timely docking

Tail docking of lambs is usually performed within one week after birth, between the third and fourth caudal vertebrae. Tail docking can reduce nutrient consumption, speed up growth, reduce mutton smell and improve the quality of mutton .

4. Castration promotes growth

Castration of male lambs is usually performed at the same time as tail docking, which can be done using rubber bands or surgery. The commonly used method is the rubber band method, which is to squeeze the testicles of a male lamb within 7 days of age into the scrotum, and tightly wrap the spermatic cord and scrotum with rubber bands. After 20-30 days, the scrotum and testicles will dry up and fall off naturally.

5. Fattening and marketing

During the fattening period, high-end mutton concentrated feed is used, such as 193 high-end mutton concentrated feed, which uses high-quality protein and energy feed to improve the digestion and absorption efficiency of sheep and promote rapid growth.

6. Environmental management

Keep the sheep house clean, dry and well-ventilated, and provide sufficient light and suitable temperature. At the same time, carrying out epidemic prevention and deworming work in the sheep house according to the procedures will help the growth and development of the sheep.

In general, the time for sheep to be slaughtered can range from 3 to 14 months, and the specific time needs to be determined based on factors such as the breed of sheep and breeding methods. In addition, paying attention to strengthening breeding management can effectively increase the growth rate of sheep, shorten the marketing cycle, and improve breeding efficiency.