There are two commonly used castration methods for sheep. One is the castration forceps technique, which involves using a specialized forceps to clamp and cut the spermatic cord near the base of the scrotum, effectively severing the testicle's blood supply. Over time, the testicles shrink and fall off without causing an open wound, thus minimizing the risk of infection and bleeding. The second method is the ligation technique, typically performed on male lambs around one week old. The testes are gently pushed back into the scrotum, and the upper part of the scrotum—where the spermatic cord is located—is tightly tied with a rubber band or string. This cuts off the blood flow, and after 20–30 days, the scrotum and testes naturally shrink and fall away.
Early weaning has become a popular practice in modern sheep farming. Traditionally, Little Tail Han lambs are weaned at 3–4 months, but studies have shown that lambs weaned at 60 or 90 days of age and then fattened until 6 months show similar average weights and daily gains. This suggests that weaning at 2 months is not only feasible but also beneficial. Early weaning allows ewes to reach breeding age sooner, enabling them to give birth twice a year instead of once every two years. This improves reproductive efficiency, slaughter rate, and meat production, making it a valuable strategy for increasing farm productivity.
Improving feeding practices is another key factor in enhancing lamb performance. Shifting from traditional extensive feeding to a more refined finishing approach can significantly boost economic returns. A balanced feed mix includes 35% hay, 37% corn stover powder, 5% soybean meal, 4% cottonseed meal, and 14% corn. Lambs weaned at 5–6 months can reach a live weight of over 40 kg, with an average daily gain of more than 200 grams. This feeding strategy results in high-quality meat, faster growth, and efficient turnover, making it ideal for intensive, factory-style lamb production systems.
In addition to proper feeding, the use of feed additives can further enhance growth performance. These compound feed additives contain essential trace elements such as iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and selenium, along with rumen metabolism regulators, growth promoters, and inhibitors of harmful microorganisms. They are particularly effective for fattening lambs and improving the condition of older sheep. Studies have shown that these additives can increase weight gain by 23.1% and improve feed conversion by 18.7%. The recommended dosage is 25–30 mg of rumen modifier per kilogram of feed. It’s important to start with a lower dose and gradually increase it based on the diet composition. Always mix the additive thoroughly into the feed for optimal results.
Probiotics are a group of active microorganisms that are beneficial to the host by colonizing the body and changing the composition of the host flora in a certain area. It is a single microorganism or a mixture of microorganisms with well-defined composition that can produce beneficial effects on health by regulating the immune function of the host mucosa and system or by regulating the balance of flora in the intestine and promoting nutrient absorption to maintain a healthy intestine.
The probiotics that scientists have discovered so far can be broadly divided into three major categories which include.
â‘ Lactobacillus class such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus janus, Lactobacillus lamanis, etc.
â‘¡Bifidobacteria category such as Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium shortum, Bifidobacterium ovale, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, etc.
â‘¢ Gram-positive cocci such as Streptococcus faecalis, Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus intermedius, etc.
Probiotics:Lactobacillus;Bifidobacteria;Lactococcus lactis
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