Sheep farming - a profitable venture for youths

Scope of Sheep farming

Sheep farming provides a dependable source of income to the young farmers through sale of wool and animals. The  multiple benefit of  sheep farming

• Sheep do not need expensive buildings to house them and on the other hand require less labour than other kinds of livestock.
• The foundation stock are relatively cheap and the flock can be multiplied rapidly.
• Sheep are economical converter of grass into meat and wool.
• Sheep will eat varied kinds of plants compared to other kind of livestock. This makes them excellent weed destroyer.
• The production of wool, meat and manure provides three different sources of income to the young farmers.
• The structure of their lips helps them to clean grains lost at harvest time and thus convert waste feed into profitable products.
• It is easy enter in to agriculture through this venture to young farmers

Selection and purchase of Animal

Selection of suitable breed is important, we must know selection tips before to start

• It is necessary to select suitable improved breed of sheep available in particular area. Breeds are Sindhanur, Deccani, Bannur, Rambully, Bellary, Hassan etc
• Ewes (female sheep) can be purchased in regular sheep markets or from breeders in villages, while male sheep (rams)
• It is desirable to purchase healthy animals of 12-18 months of age.
•  A certificate regarding age and health of sheep is obtained from the veterinary assistant surgeon.
• Sheep should be vaccinated for important diseases like sheep-fox and entero-toxaemia.
• An entrepreneur should have a unit of 20-30 ewes and one ram

Shed for sheeps

Normally sheep do not require elaborate housing facilities but minimum provisions will definitely increase productivity, especially protection against inclement weather conditions (sun, rain and winds) and predation. Shed could be provided with gunny bags or temporary or removable protections made of thatching material and bamboos. The roof of the shed should be made of the asbestos sheet supported by tubular or angular steel, but wooden rafters and thatching material could also be used. Exotics should be provided 0.9-1.1 m2 and native and crossbred sheep 0.8-0.9 m2 space per head. Sheds measuring 18m x 6m can accommodate about 120 sheep. A chain link fencing or thorny bush enclosure of 12m x 6m can be provided for night paddocking of sheep on each side of the shed.

Management of Sheeps

Careful management of the pregnant, parturient and lactating ewes will have a marked influence on the percentage of lambs dropped and reared successfully. So, the following steps may be taken to afford proper attention to these animals.

• Do not handle the pregnant ewes too frequently.
• Separate the advanced pregnant ewes from the main flock and take effective care in their feeding and management.
• Extra feed during the later part of pregnancy (3-4 weeks before parturition) will be beneficial for the condition of the pre-parturient ewes which will help in improving milk production of ewes, birth weight and growth of lambs.
• Inadequate and poor nutrition may result in pregnancy, toxaemia, abortions and premature births of weak lambs.
• Bring lambing ewes into lambing corals 4-6 days before parturition and provide maximum comfort. If possible, provide soft, clean bedding and individual lambing pens.
• Watch gestation length which ranges from 142 to over 150 days. Early maturing breeds have slightly shorter gestation period.
• Save parturient ewes from cold and chilly weather.

Economics of Sheep rearing

The following details for fifty numbers for first one year

1. Unit cost     (48+2) X 7500     = 375000/-

2. Shed cost                                 = 250000/-

3. Equipment                               = 25000/-

4. Fodder                                      = 50000/-

5. Labour                                      = 120000/-

6. Others                                       = 50000/-

Total                 = 870000/-

Net returns for every two year after one year - 7,50,000/-