Han are a type of Mongolian sheep. They were developed in
the semi-humid agricultural areas of China (Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Anhui and
Jiangsu Provinces). There are two types of Han which in 1982, were claimed as
two different breeds: Large-tail Han and Small-tail Han. The Large-tail Han are
polled and are characterized by a long, broad, fat tail, with a thin twisted
end turning upwards between two lobes, and broadest at the base. Maximum weight
being 25 kg.
Since the tail is too heavy for the sheep to move around
easily during grazing, this type (or breed) is only adaptable to the plains.
Han sheep are precocious and highly prolific, their fecundity levels being 163%
for the Large-tail Han and 229% for the Small-tail Han. Recent reports have
given even higher figures of 192 percent for the Large-tail Han and 270 percent
for the Small-tail.
About Han Sheep
