Sheep Farming Profit Tips For Beginners:
Introduction to Profitable Sheep Farming:- Well, Sheep farming is one of the rapidly growing livestock business in India as the demand for meat is very high and increasing every year. Most of the youngsters and entrepreneurs are trying to set up Sheep farming business units. There is a huge potential in Sheep farming, if one personally dedicate or manage the farm. It may be a dairy Sheep farming or meat Sheep farming, there are some tips every Sheep farmer should know before venturing to obtain good profits. Let us put some Sheep farming profit tips here.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #1: First and Foremost you should decide your initial investment or start-up cost. Based in this, have an idea of number of Sheep you are going to bring in. To get an idea of basic Sheep farming, visit nearest Sheep farms and watch YouTube videos.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #2: Prepare the Sheep farming business plan which contains about number of Sheep, feed cost (even its home grown feed), shed/housing cost (This is 1 time cost and assuming semi-intensive farming or stall fed Sheep farming), medicinal/veterinary cost, feeders/drinkers and other labour cost. This plan also should contain marketing plan and number of batches you run yearly.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #3: Build the shed/Sheep house according to your requirement such as no.of animals, feed room etc..(Don’t spend too much on shed; initially go for low cost shed).
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #4: Feed is another important input for profitable Sheep farming. Don’t buy feed outside as it may cost 10 to 15 Rs /kg. Rather, based on number of Sheep, cultivate/grow maize, Bajra (sorghum), CO-1, CO-2 grasses any millet crops in your land for green fodder and silage. For silage making process: click here. If you can produce feed at your farm, this will save you lots feed cost. For Growing Green Fodder Crops: click here.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #5: For meat Sheep, always select good breed with good meat production in short period. Check local farms for breed specifics as some Sheep may not survive in your local climatic conditions.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #6: Once plan is in place, decide which breed is best for your requirement. Some breeds like Dropper / Nellore Brown / Sheep is good for meat. Some other Sheep breeds are good for milk. Take veterinary doctor with you for selecting healthy Sheep breed. Based on number of teeth you can find out the age of Sheep.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #7: After selecting the suitable Sheep breed, bargain for long time as you are buying many Sheep. This is where you save lot of money and finally reflects in your profits.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #8: Buy Sheep in batches; for example if you buy 25 as first batch, bring another 25 as a second batch before first beach is sold. Make sure your Sheep will be ready at the time of special occasions like Bakrid/Eid or Dussehra as you can make good profits during this period.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #9: Have some feed ready before getting the Sheep into the farm.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #10: Sheep shed should be cleaned and disinfected before getting the Sheep.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #11: Make sure to have all the required vaccinations including de-worming are done before entering into the farm.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #12: Follow the standard feeding process in Sheep. Never allow Sheep to graze on open fields especially in late evenings.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #13: Periodic or frequent health check-up should be done by veterinary doctor.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #14: Some green fodder along with dry fodder and concentrate feed combination should be given for better growth.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #15: If any animal is sick in the flock, isolate that animal immediately otherwise; other Sheep may get the disease.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #16: If you are raising Sheep for dairy (milk), special care should be taken for pregnant mother Sheep, kids and lactating mother Sheep.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #17: Never allow strangers or any other animals into your farm as they may carry other diseases.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #18: Sheep milking should be done twice a day; morning and evening. Clean all the milking machines/equipment to avoid any contamination.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #19: Fence around your farm to protect from country dogs/wolfs and any other predators.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #20: Maintain Sheep weight chart by calculating every week. This will allow you to increase feed and nutrient intake for better growth.
For Sheep Farming Profit – Tip #21: There is some procedure for Sheep fattening, follow those instructions.
For Sheep Farming Profits – Tip #22: Clean and wash the shed regularly and provide clean water.
For Sheep Farming Profits – Tip #23: Use feeders and drinkers in stall-fed Sheep farming. This will ensure quality feed and prevents from wastage of feed.
For Sheep Farming Profits – Tip #24: If you are going for Sheep rearing (breeding), the male and female Sheep ratio should be 1 (male):25 (females).
For Sheep Farming Profits – Tip #25: Use collected manure for growing green fodder; in this case you no need to buy any manure.
For Sheep Farming Profits – Tip #26: Whether for meat, fiber, milk and cheese and even Sheep kids (baby Sheep), you should have proper marketing plan, there are many agents who can visit your farm and buy. You can even supply to any hotel chain or sell your Sheep in open Sheep markets.
Bottom Line of Sheep Farming Profit:- Profits vary region to region and depends on breed and other factors. Having good Sheep farming business plan along with marketing plan will defiantly fetch excellent profits.