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Sheep farming is among the traditional business and occupations of the people of some countries around the world. Sheep have been rearing as a domestic animal from the ancient time. Usually sheep farming means ‘rearing sheep commercially for the purpose of meat, milk and wool production’. Although sheep farming for commercial milk production is not a good decision. Sheep are suitable for meat and wool production. If you have proper facilities, then you can raise sheep in both small and large scale.
Commercial sheep farming business is very profitable and you will get your investment back within a very short period. Before starting sheep farming business, make a proper business plan and work according to the plan. Here we are describing more about the main advantages of commercial sheep farming business and the steps for starting this business.
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Why Sheep Farming?
Sheep are raised mainly for their wool, milk, skins and manure production. Sheep meat is very tasty, nutritious and popular to all types of people throughout the world. Sheep farming business can be a great source of income and for eradicating poverty from the barren, desert, semiarid and mountainous areas. It is also a reliable income source for the people who are engaged with animal farming business.
You don’t need to have a huge capital for starting a sheep farm.
You don’t have to make an expensive house for your sheep.
Sheep farming business require less labor than any other livestock farming business.
Sheep give birth of kids frequently, so the size of your herd will be large within a short period.
Sheep eat different kinds of plants, compared to other kinds of livestock animals. So you can use them for cleaning unwanted plants from your garden or field.
Sheep hardly destroy trees than goats.
Sheep can survive by consuming low quality grass and turn the feed into meat and wool.
Sheep products such as wool, meat and milk are used for different purposes.
They are very hardy animal, and can adopt themselves with almost all types of environment.
Sheep require less space for living. Even you can raise sheep with your other livestock animals.
By proper care and management, commercial sheep farming business can be a great source of earning and employment. Unemployed educated young can also make a good income and employment source through raising sheep commercially.
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Importance of Sheep Farming in National Economic Growth
Commercial sheep farming can play a very important role to the national income of a country. Not only the sheep but also the goats have a great role in the national economic growth. By rearing sheep in small scale, the poor people can earn some extra income. Sheep products have a huge demand in the international market. So there is an opportunity to earn foreign currencies by exporting sheep products. That will directly increase national income.
How to Start Sheep Farming Business?
Sheep are small sized animal. So starting commercial sheep farming business is very easy. But like other farming business, it will be better if you make a suitable business plan before starting. Always go through some step by step process. Here we are describing the steps of starting this lucrative business.
Select a Suitable Farm Location
Selecting a suitable location for starting a sheep farm is very important. Consider the essential facilities for raising sheep, while selecting the place. A good clean and fresh water source, availability of adequate amount of greens, good medication, suitable transportation and proper marketing are the essential facilities for starting commercial sheep farming business. Keep in mind all these, while selecting land for your business.
Purchase Quality Breeds
Always try to purchase quality breeds from famous farms or breeders. There are numerous sheep breeds available around the world. But all of those breeds are not suitable for farming in all areas. Some breeds are suitable for commercial meat production and some breeds are suitable for wool production. Choose suitable breeds according to your desired production purpose. You can also consider your local breeds (if there are any). Some popular sheep breeds are listed below.
Bannur
Bellary
Cheviot
Deccani
Hassan
Merino
Ramboullet
South Down
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Housing
Sheep don’t require high-end or expensive housing. They are happy, as long as you fulfill their basic housing needs. Even you can raise them with other livestock animals, in small scale production. But for commercial production, you have to make a separate and suitable house for them. Their house must have to be suitable enough to keep them safe from adverse weather and harmful predators. Usually an adult sheep requires about 20 squire feet floor space. For example, if you intend to raise 10 sheep, then you have to make a house with 10 feet long and 20 feet wide. Keep the roof at least 6 feet high from the floor. Make good ventilation system. Always try to keep the house clean and dry. Ensure flow of sufficient air and light inside the house. It will be better if you can make a proper drainage system inside the house.
Feeding
Good feeding is must for proper growth and maximum production. High quality food also helps to keep the animal healthy, productive and diseases free. So always try to feed your goats high quality and nutritious foods. Usually all types of grasses, plants and corns are favorite food of sheep. Follow the sheep feed chart below.
In accordance with providing high quality and nutritious foods, always provide your sheep adequate amount of clean and fresh water according to their demand.
Fencing
Make a suitable fence around the pasture, if you allow them to graze on the pasture. Keep the fence strong enough, so that they can’t go out, and stay safe inside. Good fencing also help to keep all types of predators out. You can make a wire or woven fence.
Care & Management
Good care and management can ensure maximum profit from your sheep farming business. So always try to take good care of your animals. Always try to purchase quality and productive breeds, feed them nutritious foods and make a suitable house for them. Vaccinate them timely to prevent them from various types of sheep diseases. And always keep good relation with the vet, so that you can ask for help anytime.
Marketing
In case of marketing, you can try your local livestock market. It will be better, if you determine the marketing strategies before starting this business. You can also consider international market (if you have proper facilities).
Advice
To get better profits, you have to follow modern and scientific sheep rearing rules. Try to learn everything related to sheep farming business. Selection and purchasing sheep, pregnancy, lamb care, weaning, housing and shelter management, culling, keeping records, identification, dipping, health management etc. are very important part of commercial sheep farming business. Always choose healthy sheep breed. Take some extra care for feeding your sheep. Maximum profit also depend on proper marketing. So determine your marketing plan, before starting. In a word, for better production and maximum profit, you have to do all these activities perfectly.
Some Problems of Sheep Farming
You can’t run a business without any problem. Sheep farming is not an exception. In case of 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 great threat for the sheep. So vaccinate them timely to stay free from various types of diseases.
Sheep and goat farming are traditional livestock farming business. Before starting a sheep farm, choose proper breeds. Because maximum profits mostly depend on selecting high quality and healthy sheep breeds. Read a lot of books, magazines or webpages about sheep farming. And if possible, visit some farms practically in your area, gather experience and finally do it.
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