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How To Raise Sheep For Profit
When starting out in sheep farming it is important to position yourself to what you want to produce with your sheep. There are a number of reasons why people want to raise sheep. Sheep can help in improving agricultural landscapes, control vegetation and preserve open land. Some people also raise sheep as pets whilst others want their children to learn about livestock husbandry. On the other hand a lot of people
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raise sheep for profits
Raising profitable sheep can be done by almost anyone as long as they are dedicated to it. For as long as you get the right information and guidelines on raising sheep you will achieve your goal.
Sheep Houses
A lot of farmers when housing their sheep use traditional barns. Traditional barns can be expensive for a beginner farmer who is on a budget but they provide the best type of protection.
Another type of sheep housing is the hoop house which is designed to adapt to a greenhouse and is a lot cheaper.
Your sheep house must have good drainage, if possible electricity and must have enough space to accommodate young and old sheep. Also it must be large enough to house sheep feed and equipment.
Sheep Feeding
If you want to get the best return of investment it is important that your sheep are well fed. Sheep feeders can help you a lot so make sure you invest in one.
If you don’t have a feeder and feed your sheep on the floor the food is likely to be urinated on by your sheep thus getting it infected since parasites will develop.
Your sheep feeders should be cleaned before and after you feed your sheep. You should give your sheep clean water every day as well.
And make sure you have more than two sheep when starting out, sheep are tame creatures and strive in peaceful environments that follow a routine. They like grazing together because this makes them feel comfortable.
Tips On How To Raise Sheep
The first thing to consider when beginning to raise sheep is your finances. You have to invest a lot of money in buying fencing, building a sheep house, vaccinating your sheep and feeding your sheep.
You should have enough space for your sheep to graze on. The land should also be enough to accommodate all of your sheep.
If you depend on pasture then having a lot of land is a must, but if you don’t have enough land you can feed your sheep hay or any other feeds that is suitable for sheep.
Deciding what type of breed you want to raise is your next step. Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy sheep are recommended as pets but any other breed can do as long as you take care of them.
a- You should make sure you get more than one sheep because sheep are social animals and like living with other sheep. Your sheep can be mixed (males and females), but if you don’t want your sheep to breed you can get your males neutered.
Your sheep should be kept safe. You can do this by building a sheep house and fencing it as well. Fencing will keep out unwanted predators such as dogs and foxes that can harm your sheep.
Make sure your sheep are well feed as well. Sheep like eating grass, weeds and clover. You can also bring a veterinarian every once in a while to check on your sheep and make sure they are getting the right amount of nutrients.
Being a happy sheep owner requires you to take care of your sheep. Give them good shelter, provide them with food and clean water on daily basis.
Important Steps For A Beginners To Take WHEN Starting Out In Raising Sheep
Sheep can be breed for a number of different reasons such as wool, milk and meat. Raising sheep for meat requires sheep breeds grow fast and have good carcasses.
How To Raise Sheep Sheep that fall in this category are Dropper and Hampshire sheep. These two sheep are known to be resistant to hot weather and parasites. They also grow faster and in a short space can fatten up.
When raising your own sheep for meat there are steps to need to take in order to be successful with your project. Below is a list of things to consider before you venture into this industry.
- You should know that there is a difference between feeder lambs and slaughter lambs. Feeder lambs are lambs that are brought whilst they are still young.
- They are feed and raised before they are slaughtered. On the other hand slaughter lambs are bought to be immediately slaughtered.
- When you want to raise sheep for profits factors that play a role in profitability are the cost of feeding
- the lamb growth rate and the market prices at that given time. If your lambs grow faster that means that they will eat less food thus reducing the money you will spend in feeding them.
- .Lamb meat is meat from young sheep that are less than a year old
Beginners Guide In Choosing A SHEEP
Choosing Sheep:
The Corriedale and Columbia breeds are recommended breeds for lambing needs. But when it comes to meat production the doper and Hampshire breeds are the best. And when it comes to wool production there is no better choice than the Merino breed.
Now it’s no doubt that there is some equipment you need when raising sheep. Some of the equipment you need when raising sheep is tagging, shearing, cleaning equipment and fencing.
Sheep Managing Styles:
1) Early lambing – When early lambing it means the lambing is done in January to February and the selling of lambs in done in early summer.
2) Late lambing – Late lambing means that the lambing is done in the beginning of April to May. At this time the production cost are at their lowest rate but the lambs are sold cheaper.
3) Accelerated lambing – The production rate is increased when this style of lambing is done, but you should make sure that the right type of breed is used and carefully managed.
Common Used Terms:
1) Crimp – Natural waves of sheep wool is called crimp. The finer the wool depends on how close the crimps are.
2) Crutching – To prevent fly-strike the hind part of a sheep is sheared and the process is called crimping.
3) Ringing – This is a process whereby the wool around the puzzle of the male sheep is removed.
4) Micron – This is a measuring tool used to measure sheep wool.
5) Tupping – Tupping is a name given to the mating season of sheep.