A different image, but one that may be more immediately obvious than trying to match a more directly related word to "cheptel" (which is related to the word "chattels").

[this concerns a computer game, but the terminology might be general, if you are in the milieu]
In the final stages, the only recourse for a pimp to continue growing is to assume a very aggressive stance. Peaceable pimps won't make it to the top; they'll be continually struggling to keep up the size of their harem. Only a hitting pimp gathering huge flocks of hoes will be able to generate the income required to buy the expensive prestige items.
http://www.shush.ws/2005/062605_070205.htm

Other sites appear to confirm this is used:

Quan is also a student pimp at Northwestern University. His harem consists of the asian women living in the suite across from his. His signature move is his ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quan

what, praytell, would be the below average pimp? a small harem and small hair? only a dozen big ugly medalions around his neck? ...
www.gimptalk.com/forum/topic.php?t=7861&start=1

call it, "the pimp, the prostitute and the preacher syndrome." That pimp has to keep the prostitute in his harem by lies. If he can do that, ...
www.rushlimbaugh.com/.../one_of_the_finest_dissertations_an...

Normally the audience would not be routing for the sleazy pimp and his harem of cheap hookers. But you find yourself caring about these characters after D ...
www.rottentomatoes.com/vine/journal_view.php?username=arnb

An arms dealer, an ex-pat pimp with chubby harem girls--I'm not sure what he is, but he looks like a puffy, older Max Baer Jr. And his name appears a few ...
www.amazon.com/Savage-Sisters-Gloria-Hendry/dp/B00005QY94


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Note added at 5 hrs (2007-01-19 10:31:32 GMT)
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[here we have both "herd" and "harem"]
Slang terminology has dominated conversations, and some terms tend to be misused and incorrectly labeled.
So, I have taken it upon myself to provide you with my definitions of the following terms: slut/ho and player/pimp, both sets of terms being one in the same.
Consider this question while you read: Why is it that women consider the term “ho” the ultimate insult and men consider the term “pimp” the ultimate compliment?
For the record, you men cannot coin yourselves as “true playas,” simply for gelling your hair, blackening another dude’s eye, bling-blinging all the way to Sing-Sing and ordering from the top shelf at a bar.
A pimp/player has more than money, style and a hot girlfriend.
A synonym to the term is harem.
Write that down.
There are two types of pimps: the ones with harems who are proud (typically considered as the enemy by the opposite sex) and the ones with harems who deny it and lie (considered game).
Let’s throw out the technical definition of a harem, rooted back to the Egyptian sexual culture. Let me explain to you the 2003 definition of a harem: a man who has a herd of unsuspecting women at his disposal
http://www.collegiatetimes.com/archive/2003-3/3/881.html