Sheep Farming is one of the popular and good sources of income for the marginal, landless farmers and also for the labours. All over the India, the sheep farming has been popular even in Andhra Pradesh it is being widely spread over, there are less number of the originated breeds of the Andhra Pradesh, but the Sheep farms are numerously high. The farmer invests the capital on the farm and the farmer gets the income mainly from three sources they are meat, wool, and its fiber. Sheep breeds if the neighbouring states are also reared in the Andhra Pradesh. The sheep are reared in the fluvial deltas, planes, mountain ranges, sandy tracts, highlands, and also in the plateaus of the Andhra Pradesh. The profitability of sheep farming in Andhra Pradesh is very high as many people eact sheep meat or lamb.
Scope and Importance in National Economy:
The importance of the sheep farming to the National Economy is sponsored through the meat, fiber and also through the wool. The Sheep farming contributes 8% of income to the national economy. The total estimated and an average population of the sheep in Andhra Pradesh is 3.27 million. All over the India, the sheep population is 72.8million.
The Sheep meat is popular consumed as the farmer gets good income.
The farmers get god employment through sheep farming.
The fiber is used in preparing the belts etc.
The sheep wool is used in stitching sweaters shawls etc.
Loans and Subsidies of Sheep Farming in Andhra Pradesh:
The state government of the Andhra Pradesh and also the central government are enhancing the loans and subsidy schemes gradually year by year. The farmer should get the information from the nearby bank or else from the livestock department or Animal husbandry. We can also get more information from the official website of the NABARD.
Read: NABARD Subsidy Schemes.
Sheep Breeds of Andhra Pradesh:
Deccani Sheep Breed
Nellore Sheep Breed
Advantages of Sheep Farming in Andhra Pradesh:
Sheep Farming Benefits.
Maintenance of the sheep is very cheap, availability of them is also easy, and they have a good friendly disposition.
Aliments are very few caused to the sheep.
The size of the sheep is small and the age of slaughter is very younger.
The milk has high content of B – complex vitamins.
Hair of sheep can be used for manufacturing the ropes and rugs.
Meat of sheep has much demand and fat content in less.
For hauling light loads the sheep are used in hilly areas.
Per unit of investment, the sheep give more production.
The digestibility is high in sheep.
They can be slaughtered at a young age for meat requirements.
Sheep farming business is easy when compared to other livestock farm business.
Compared to other livestock’s animals the sheep are better at tolerating the diseases.
The gestation period of sheep is very short
The sheep wool is used in preparing the sweaters, shawls and many other winter clothes.
These sheep can adjust in any type of climate.
Sheep Feed Management:
In every sheep business, feeding plays a vital role. Feed should be provided timely and in appropriate ratio. The development of health in sheep can be seen when they eat good and efficient food. Additional vitamins and minerals should be supplied in appropriate amounts apart from the forage.
Salt: 1%
GNC: 12%
Mixture: 2%
Skimmed milk powder: 11%
Rice polish: 25%
Maize: 50%
Groundnut cake
Sheep Housing Management:
In an intensive system of production, sheep housing is very important. Sheep are similar to us in growth and production. The housing is basically aimed for protecting the animals from uneven climates and predators.
The housing, which is constructed or selected should be at a higher elevation and should not be affected by floods.
The floor should always be dry.
Inside the house ventilation and air flow should be good.
We should never permit the rain water to enter the house.
Enough space is required for taking rest.
In all seasons the sheep should be provided with warm water, because they are afraid of cold water.
Read: Sheep Shed Design and Construction Plan.
Sheep Breeding Management:
In the sheep farming business, breeding is very important as it increases the population in the farm. The sheep are raised for their meat, fiber and milk. The breeding is done through two methods:
Natural insemination
Artificial insemination
The breed should be identified as per their temperature and bloodlines.
The age factor for breeding in female sheep is 5 – 17 months.
The fall season is the best season for breeding in sheep.
Sheep has two heat cycles with an interval of 18 – 20 days.
The ovulation period remains for ½ – 1 ½ days.
For the successful fertilization timely mating is very important.
Sheep ratio should be 1:25 i.e. 1 male and 25 females.
The gestation period of the sheep will be 150 – 155 days.
Sheep Diseases and Vaccinations:
4th month pregnant ewes and Lamb of 1 month old: They should be vaccinated with CDT to protect them from tetanus and exterotoxemia disease.
All the sheep should be vaccinated annually with the CDT.
All Sheep: For every 2 – 4 weeks, 2 doses of vaccine are given to the sheep for fighting against the diseases like Mannheimia, Haemolytica and pneumonia.
Lamb: 6 month old lamb should be vaccinated with CLA to protect them from Cornybacterium pseudotunerculosis.
Lamb: All the sheep should be vaccinated with CLA annually, as it is a booster for them.
Annually the sheep should be vaccinated with Rabies to fight against Rabies.
The ewes in the first 28 – 45 days of their pregnancy should be vaccinated with Chlamydia to protect them from Chlamydia abortion.
Read: Dairy Farming Courses, Fees in India.
Guidelines for the vaccination are:
The manufacturing instruction should be followed at the time of vaccination.
Vaccines should not be mixed with any other vaccines.
We should maintain a record of vaccines, which is given to the sheep.
The booster shots shouldn’t be delayed for good results.
On each sheep new syringe and sterile needle should be used.
Vaccination should be given when they are healthy, to minimize the chance of the adverse reaction.
The needle, which should be used on adult should be 1 -3/4 inch needle and 20 gauges.
For lamb ½ inch needle should be used.
Tips of Sheep Farming In Andhra Pradesh:
Equipment which is required in the farm should be kept.
For storing food, a storage room should be used.
Hygiene is very important to maintain a farm.
To know and observe the sheep’s health regular visit of vet is needed.
During summer, sheep should be given or provided mineral water with salt.
Efficient and healthy breeds should be selected while farm setup.
We should buy both ram and ewe.
While buying the sheep, some precautions should be taken
There should be a basic knowledge of raising the sheep.
For sheep the comforts and facilities should be arranged efficiently and effectively.
