Sheep Farming Basics, Feeding, Breeding, Housing

Table of Contents

Introduction: Hello livestock farmers, we are back with great information on sheep farming basics, sheep housing, sheep feeding, and breeding. Sheep farming is the most traditional business in India where it has become the main occupation of the people in some places all around the world. Sheep is a domestic animal that has been rearing from ancient times. Rearing sheep commercially for the purpose of meat, milk, and wool production is known as Sheep Farming, but commercial milk production is not a good choice. Sheep are specially reared for meat and wool production. Based on the investment you have planned then you can raise sheep on both small and large scale. You must be aware of sheep farming basics before starting a commercial sheep farm business.

A step by step guide to Sheep Farming Basics

Sheep farming business commercially is the most popular and profitable business where you will get your investment back within a very short period of time. Prepare a proper business plan before starting a sheep farming business. In this blog, you can find the main advantages of commercial sheep farming and the steps to start this business along with sheep farming basics.

Definition of Sheep Farming

Market prices for your meat, wool and dairy products can change annually, seasonally, and even week to week. Higher market prices will increase your profitability, but it’s important to compare “net” market prices. If you have to sell through a livestock auction that charges a flat fee or a percentage of the sale, a higher price may not net you as much as if you sold directly to a consumer at a lower price. In general, if you can sell directly from your farm to commercial buyers or consumers, you can net more per sale, as you’ve eliminated the middle man. It’s important to be aware of this when you develop the marketing plan for your sheep farm.

Sheep farming is mainly done for their wool, milk, skins, and manure production. Sheep meat has great value as it is very tasty, nutritious, and popular with all types of people throughout the world. Sheep farming business can become a great source of income for the farmers and it can even eradicate poverty from the barren, desert, semiarid, and mountainous areas. It is also a reliable income source for the people who are engaged with the animal farming business.

Huge capital investment not required to start a sheep farm.
The shed can be constructed in a simple way based on the number of sheep you plan for.
It requires only less labor cost than any other livestock farming business.
Sheep give birth to lambs frequently and gets multiplied in number as a result the herd increases and will be large within a short period of time.
Sheepfodder is of different kinds of plants, while compared to other kinds of livestock animals. So you can use them for cleaning unwanted plants from your garden or field.
Sheep do not destroy trees other than goats.
Sheep consumes only fewer quantities of grass and turns the feed into meat and wool.
Sheep produces products like wool, meat, and milk that are used for different purposes.
Sheep get adopted themselves with almost all types of environment as they are hardy animals.
Sheep requires very little space for living where you can raise sheep with your other livestock animals.

If you take proper care and management, the sheep rearing business is a great source of earning and provides employment. Unemployed educated young individuals can make a good income and provides employment sources through raising sheep commercially.

You should not miss the Hydroponic Fodder for Sheep.

Importance of Sheep Farming in National Economic Growth

Commercial sheep farming plays a very crucial role in the national income of a country. Not only sheep farming but also goat farming contributes a lot and plays a major role in the national economic growth. By sheep rearing on a small scale, the poor people can earn some extra income, as this provides wool and meat. Sheep products, especially wool and meat have a high demand in the national as well as international markets. So you will have a great chance to earn profits by exporting sheep products in foreign currencies, which in turn directly increases national income.

Sheep Farming Business in India

Sheep are small-sized animals; hence starting a commercial sheep farming business is very easy. But prepare a better business plan as it will benefit you, before starting. Go through the plan thoroughly and follow step by step process. The steps required for starting a sheep farming business are described below.

Select a Suitable Farm Location

Selecting a suitable farm location for starting a sheep farm is the first important step. Have look towards the essential facilities required for raising sheep, while selecting the place. It is should be having a good clean and fresh water source, availability of the adequate amount of greenery, good medication source, and suitable transportation are the essential facilities for starting a commercial sheep farming business. These all must be considered while selecting land for your sheep farming business.

Purchase Quality Breeds

Purchase quality breeds from famous farms or breeders, for getting the best results. There are several sheep breeds available all around the world, check their survival based on the temperature fluctuations in place which you have chosen. But all are not suitable for farming in all areas, hence note them down clearly. Few of the breeds are used for commercial meat production and the others breeds are suitable especially for wool production. Choose suitable breeds according to your desires and production as well as commercial purposes. You can also consider your local breeds if there are any. Some popular sheep breeds are listed – Bannur, Bellary, Cheviot, Deccani, Hassan, Merino, Rambouillet, and South DownHousing.

Sheep do not require any high-end or expensive shelters and they just need few things, that fulfill their basic housing needs where you can even raise them with other livestock animals, in small-scale production. But if you plan for commercial production, then you have to make a separate and suitable house for them. Their house must be suitable for keeping them safe from adverse weather conditions and harmful predators. Take note that an adult sheep requires about 20 square feet of floor space. Consider this as an example; if you intend to raise 10 sheep, then you have to make a house 10 feet long and 20 feet wide. Maintain the roof at least 6 feet high from the floor. Provide a good ventilation system. Keep the house clean and dry always to protect them from few infections. Ensure that sufficient airflow and light are provided inside the house. Most importantly, provide a better and proper drainage system inside the house.

Feeding

Proper feeding is a must to ensure proper growth and maximum production in sheep farms. High-quality food also helps to keep the animal healthy, productive and also protects from few diseases. So always try to feed your sheep high-quality and nutritious foods. Usually, all types of grasses, plants, and corns are a favorite food of sheep and are also best suited for their proper growth. Follow the sheep feed details – Feed for lambs and adult sheep include the following broken maize, broken gram, almond cake, wheat, mineral salt, salt which differ in different percentages.
Providing high-quality and nutritious foods to lambs and sheep, and also provide them with an adequate amount of clean and fresh water according to their demand.

Fencing

Make a suitable fence around in the area selected and it is better to choose an area with good pasture if you allow them to graze on the pasture. Keep the fence strong enough, so that they can’t escape and go out, and ensure that they stay safe inside. Strong and good fencing also helps to keep all types of predators out. To prepare a fence you can choose a wire or woven fence.

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Care and Management

Good care and management can ensure proper and disease-free growth along with wool production which in turn ensures you maximum profit from your sheep farming business. So it is better to take good care of your animals. Choose quality and productive breeds, feed them with nutritious foods and provide a suitable house for them. Vaccinate them timely, to prevent them from harmful and dreadful sheep diseases. And always keep good relations with the veterinary doctor, so that you can ask them for help at any time.

Vaccination

Provide vaccines to your sheep herd in a timely manner. This will prevent them from various types of diseases. One must always keep good relation with the vet so that you can ask for help anytime.

Marketing

In the case of marketing your herd, then it is better to choose your local livestock market. Ensure and determine the marketing strategies before starting the sheep farming business. You can also choose the international market if you have proper contacts and facilities.

Some Tips for a Profitable Sheep Farming Project

To make the sheep farming business a successful one, you have to follow modern and scientific sheep rearing rules. Take a clear look at each and every step, hence learn everything related to the sheep farming business. It mainly depends on the selection and purchasing of sheep, pregnancy, lamb care, weaning, housing and shelter management, culling, keeping records, identification, dipping, health management, etc. are very important parts of the commercial sheep farming business. The most important thing which you should never forget is that you should choose a healthy sheep breed. Take some extra care for feeding your sheep. You can attain a maximum profit which mainly depends on proper marketing. So make a perfect marketing plan, before starting your business. In a word, for better production and maximum profit, you have to do all these activities perfectly.

Costs involved in Sheep Farming business in India

Costs involved in the construction of shed -Rs. 50,000
costs involved buying the sheep – Rs. 2,00,000
costs involved for feeding the lambs and sheep -Rs. 1,50,000
costs involved inadequate water supply – Rs. Rs. 50,000
other expenses – Rs.50,000
Total expenses involved – Rs. 5,00,000.

In case if you miss this: How to Build a Sheep Shed.

Sheep Farming Basics and Tips for a Profitable Sheep Farming

For better profits, you must follow the rules of modern and scientific sheep rearing.

Consult few sheep farmers, everything related to the sheep farming business.

Selection and purchasing sheep, pregnancy, lamb care, weaning, housing and shelter management, culling, keeping records, identification, dipping, health management, etc. plays a very crucial role in the commercial sheep farming business.

Must choose a healthy sheep breed. Take some extra care in forming a sheep herd especially in feeding. There should be proper marketing to maximize profits. First, determine your marketing plan.

You can also visit some farms practically in the nearby areas, gather experience from them and finally do it.

Some Problems of Sheep Farming

sheep farming also you will face few problems as it is not an exception. In the case of the sheep farming business, you might face some common problems, such as protecting your sheep from predators, shelter arrangement, protection from the cold weather, diseases, etc. Among those problems, predators and diseases harm the sheep much. So make a suitable fence for protecting your sheep from predators. Diseases are also a great threat to the sheep. So vaccinate them timely to stay free from various types of diseases.

Sheep farming is a traditional livestock business, where you can earn a lot of profit. Before starting a sheep farm, choose proper breeds. Because maximum profits mostly depend on selecting high-quality and healthy sheep breeds. Visit some farms practically in your area, gather experience and finally do it.

That’s all folks about sheep farming basics in India along with other sheep raising information. You may be interested in Rabbit Farming Business Plan.

Last Updated: May 3, 2021

Author: Jagdish