Animal husbandry is one of the best rural business opportunities. Bunnies, cows, sheep, and other animals are all options available on the table. Our focus here would be detailing a sheep breeding or farming business plan. Let’s get started.
Sheep require a lot of attention. If you want to start a sheep farming business, you can trade them for a number of products – meat, milk, wool, cheese, and other delicacies. All of these options will allow you to earn a decent amount of income at your home. However, your approach for each area will be different. When you decide on your purpose of trading sheep, you should take sheep from those farmers who have been breeding sheep for at least a year, so that sick animals aren’t sold by you.
Sheep selection
There are a lot of sheep breeds you can choose from, however, Mecheri, Vembur, and Trichy black are best suitable for residents of plain regions of India. The other valuable sheep’s breeds include Marwari, Nellore sheep, etc.
Consider the appearance of the sheep when selecting one. A healthy sheep has a long, wide-body, an elastic belly that does not sag down, and strong legs. If the animal has a rough, massive, and hefty head, the sheep will most likely not produce high-quality wool. Take note of her back. It should not slump, because otherwise it is regarded as a weak animal.
Pay attention to the animal’s skin if you wish to collect milk and wool. The skin should be thick, and the coat should be thick, like fluff. A narrow chest is one of the most critical flaws in sheep, as it signals poor health and a weak constitution. It is preferable to avoid such purchases. The best wool comes from animals that are 2-3 years old.
Sheep care
They get along nicely with other animals in the same room, such as horses, goats, and cows. Sheep are shy creatures, so being in a company will make them feel safer. Remember that they must be kept separate from other animals. Simply do not keep the sheep indoors for an extended period of time. They must walk and graze frequently.
Not every type of grass is appropriate. It’s preferable to take them into the mountains, where even small greens can be delicious. A sheep of average age consumes roughly 8 kg of fresh grass every day. If you are unable to let the animals be out in the pasture for an extended period of time, turn them out for 2-3 hours each day.
Sheep breeding
Sheep develop puberty at 7-9 months, however, they should not be released for fertilization until they are 2-3 months old. Spring sheep of any breed appear between the ages of 12 and 18 months. When the animals are ready to conceive, they lose their appetite and get agitated.
The lamb output per 100 ewes is between 75 and 80. Winter lambing and unfettered mating reduce the proportion (about 65-70 goals). By the end of the first year of operation of your 200-head sheep farm, you will have raised 160-170 marketable lambs on average. You can choose to sell them or keep them to replace ewes.
There are two options: sell the sheep and keep the ewes to increase the number of sheep, or sell the rams and use the proceeds to purchase a bright one. In the latter case, you will not profit, but there will be a larger growth the following year, which will naturally raise income.
