Animal Breed NBAGR Registered Breed Sheep Breed

Chevaadu Sheep Breed – Native Tamil Nadu Meat Sheep

ByRakesh Kumar 05/27/202506/18/2025Updated On 06/18/202505/27/2025

Chevaadu Sheep Breed

Chevaadu Sheep Breed – Native Tamil Nadu Meat Sheep

Chevaadu Sheep Information

Conservation Status	Not specified (Population: ~158,200 as of 2013)
Scientific Classification	Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Genus: Ovis Species: Ovis aries
Breed Type	Meat, Skin, and Cultural Use
Alternate Names	Arichevaadu
Origin	Tamil Nadu, India (Named for its light brown coat)
Breeding Tract	State: Tamil Nadu District: Tirunelveli Key Areas: Alangulam, Pappakudi, Manur, Melaneelithanallur, Kuruvikulam, Nanguneri
Geographical Range	Longitude: 77°05′ – 78°25′ E Latitude: 8°05′ – 9°30′ N
Main Uses	Meat Skin Manure Religious and cultural purposes (especially males)
Adaptability	Survives in dry land and coastal ecosystems
Morphology	Color: Light brown (some dark brown or tan) Horns: Both sexes have horns (2), curved outward and backward (10–42 cm) Hair: Short hair, no wool Body: Erect head, light brown dorsal coat, lighter ventral area
Physical Measurements (Avg.)	Height (Male): 74.47 cm \| Female: 69.53 cm Body Length (Male): 62.83 cm \| Female: 57.73 cm Heart Girth (Male): 73.2 cm \| Female: 69.34 cm Weight (Male): 32.1 kg \| Female: 23.27 kg Birth Weight: 2.64 kg (Male) \| 2.47 kg (Female)
Management	System: Extensive (grazing-based) Mobility: Mostly stationary (some temporary migration in dry months) Hair Clipping: Once a year (May) Breeders: Konar-Yadhava (Backward) and Pallar (Scheduled caste) communities
Reproductive Performance	Age at first parturition: ~18.19 months (range: 14–21) Parturition interval: ~8.48 months Litter size: 1 (single births only) Milk yield: Not applicable (non-dairy breed)
Population	158,200 (as of 2013, per Thangaraj Ravimurugan)
Cultural Significance	Preferred by Hindus for religious rituals due to attractive brown coat, fetching higher market value.
The Rajasthan Express : Chevaadu Sheep Breed

Chevaadu Sheep Breed – Native Tamil Nadu Meat Sheep

Learn about Chevaadu sheep, a native Tamil Nadu breed known for meat, cultural value, and adaptability. Preferred for its light brown coat and resilience.
THE RAJASTHAN EXPRESS

Rakesh Kumar

I am Rakesh Kumar, hailing from Rajasthan, and I proudly serve as a Private Veterinary Livestock Inspecter . With years of experience in the field, I am passionate about promoting the health and welfare of animals. As the administrator of The Rajasthan Express website, I am committed to delivering accurate and valuable insights into veterinary science and animal care.