Well, today we are going to discuss Sheep Farming In Tamil Nadu.
This Sheep farming is being one of the popular occupations in India. It is the basic source of income for the unemployed farmers; they get their income from Sheep farming. This is one of the good employments for the farmers. For the farmers the agriculture will be a seasonal employment as the fruits and vegetable should be grown as per their proffered season. The farmers get high returns from Sheep farming. In India, the demand for the Sheep and also for their products is high. The meat lovers are also increasing the demand is also increasing. Sheep products like meat, milk, fiber and manure also have high demand along with the Sheep.
For rural people, the Sheep farming plays a vital role in the socio – economic life. For the labour, landless and marginal farmers the Sheep farming will be a profitable business. The population which is considered approximately in Tamil Nadu is 3.5 Lakhs. The Sheep farming’s main motto is to propagate the conservation of Sheep farming and to propagate the good breeds. In Tamil Nadu, not only the native breeds are reared the neighbouring state native breeds are also raised.
Importance of Sheep Farming.
Scope and importance of Sheep Farming in National Economy:
The total population of the sheep in India is 71.6 million sheep. There is a great contribution towards the national economy from the sheep farming. We get 8% of export contrition from the sheep farming business and we also get the contribution from the processed products of sheep farming and their by products.
For the unskilled, less literate, low income and labour it will be a good employment and also a good source of income.
The Sheep are good storing animals as they can store their milk, so the Sheep are called as walking refrigerator.
The milk and meat which are extracted from the Sheep also have high demand in the market as these are used in our daily routine.
By farming a Sheep, it helps the agricultural farmer by controlling the weeds in the farmer. As Sheep is herbivores animal it consumes the weed as its feed.
The dug and waster material of the Sheep also has high demand in the market as it is used as farmyard manure in agricultural farmers.
By using this fiber or skin of the Sheep belts, pelts, hides, hair and wool is prepared as it is also one type of income.
Read: Shorthorn Cattle Facts.
Loans and Subsidies for Sheep Farming in Tamil Nadu:
The most profitable business in India is Sheep farming business. The India is largest milk and meat producers all over the world. If the farmer is economically back, while setting the Sheep farming business, then the farmers get assistance from both the state and central government. There are several schemes that outline the loans and schemes for the farmer. The loans and schemes are sanctioned as per the size of the project and also as per the region of the form.
Note: For more information, one can visit the official website of NABARD and also can visit the co –operative or rural bank, which are nearby.
Advantages of Sheep Farming Business in Tamil Nadu:
The investment in a Sheep farm in initial stages is very low.
In general, Sheep are described as social animals.
They easy to handle.
In the market the Sheep milk has high demand.
These Sheep are slaughtered at a very young age.
The production can be estimated as per the unit of investment.
In hilly areas these Sheep are used for the hauling.
This Sheep milk helps in curing the some diseases like diabetes, cough, and asthma.
For Sheep the housing requirement is very low.
Not only the Sheep have high demand in the market, but also the products of Sheep like milk, meat, fleece and manure also has high demand in the market.
Sheep can be fed with any type of crude and roughages of poor quality, as the Sheep have well digestibility.
Sheep Breeds of Tamil Nadu:
Coimbatore Sheep Breed
Kilakarsal Sheep Breed
Madras red Sheep Breed
Mecheri Sheep Breed
Nilgiri Sheep Breed
Ramnad white Sheep Breed
Tiruchi black Sheep Breed
Vembur Sheep Breed
Katchaikatty black Sheep Breed
Chevaadu Sheep Breed
Sheep Feed Management:
For the sheep the feed is one of the important sources of nutrients and also energy. The feed management plays vital role in sheep farming business. The feed which is fed to the sheep should be of good quality as the sheep don’t need high quality of fodders. The feed will be kept as per their age, so as per their age, we need to change the feeding schedule.
Lambs (birth – 3 months):
The just born Sheep should be fed with the colostrums once after they are born.
The new born Sheep should be frequently accessed with the milk for 3 days.
After 3 days, we need to feed the Sheep with the milk for 2 – 3 times in a day.
The Sheep which are of about 2 week’s age should be trained to eat the green roughages.
We need to feed the Sheep with concentrated mixture, when the Sheep are of 1 month age.
The kids should be allowed to suck the dam of the mother so that they will get good amount of colostrums for the first three – four days.
In limiting kid loss, the colostrum feeding will be a major factor.
For feeding the kids, the cow colostrums can also be used, which is also efficient for the lambs kids.
Sheep Feed (3 – 12 months): For about 8 hours we need to pasture in the grazing. We should feed a Sheep with 100 – 200 g of supplementation of concentrate mixture which contains 16 – 18 % of protein in it.
Adult sheep: If the animals are suffering with poor grazing conditions, then we need to supply the Sheep with the concentrate mixture of about 150 – 350 grams for a Sheep in a day. This will also depend in lactation, pregnancy, and age. For an adult Sheep we need to supply the digestible crude protein level of the concentrate mixture of about 12 %.
Non pregnant sheep: If the availability of the pastures is good in the housing, then we need to supply concentrate mixture. If the animals are suffering with poor grazing conditions, then we need to supply the Sheep with the concentrate mixture of about 150 – 200 grams.
Pregnant sheep:
First 4 months of Sheep pregnancy: Every day they should be fed with good quality pastures. Along with the supplemented green fodder @ 5 kg per day for every sheep.
During the last month of Sheep pregnancy: We should feed them with the concentrate mixture @ 250 – 350 grams for a sheep in a day. The ration of the sheep should be feed with available green fodder @ 7 kg per sheep in a day.
Feed at Lambing time: We should feed the sheep with good quality of dry roughage. The feeding should be given lightly, along with clean and fresh water.
After lambing (75 days): For every 6 – 8 hours we need to feed them with 10 kg of green fodder, 400 grams of concentrate mixture and 800 grams of legume hay in a day.
Feed for Breeding Rams: These rams should be allowed to graze along with the ewes. So, that the rams will get the same ratio of feed along with the ewes. So, that this will help the ram in meeting its nutritional requirement. If the facilities of the ram are separate then we need provide them ½ kg of concentrate mixture which contains one part of barley or oats, one part of wheat and other part of maize.
Read: Cold Storage Business.
Sheep Housing Management:
For intensive production of Sheep the Sheep farming, housing is very essential. The requirement for the Sheep are very less, the Sheep give maximum profits as we should ensure them the facilities and comforts.
Sheep house should be dry and hygienic.
There should be good ventilation into the farm, the number of labour, which is used for the farm is also very less.
Sheep need some space for taking a rest, so while constructing the farm a little more space should be left to the Sheep.
All the waste should be collected in the farm. Almost in all seasons the Sheep need warm water as they are afraid of warm water.
The floor, which is used for the flooring in the farm, should not be slippery or wet. This might cause injuries to the Sheep.
In Sheep farm the drainage facility should be good.
Sheep should be safe in housing so that they should be protected from the harsh animals and also from the inoculated climate with environmental stress.
Sheep housing should be constructed at a higher elevation.
Sheep Breeding Management:
Sheep Breeding Management.
In breeding there are two types of breeding techniques. They are
Natural insemination: These are not suitable for the commercial Sheep farming and also taken more time in breeding.
Artificial insemination: For commercial farming of Sheep this artificial insemination is more suitable and doesn’t take more time. But it more cost efficient.
Breeding Season:
Summer season:
Heating season: (March – April)
Kidding season: (August – September)
Rainy season:
Heating season: (June – July)
Kidding season: (November – December)
Winter season:
Heating season: (October – November)
Kidding season: (January – February)
Breeding Ratio:
The ratio of the breeding should be 1: 25 i.e. one male and 25 females.
Gestation Period:
The sheep gestation period is very short of 150 – 155 days.
Breeding Age:
At the age of 5 – 17 months the breeding should be encouraged. The best age for the breeding is 10 – 12 months. The breeding should never be encouraged at a young age as it can cause loss to the business.
Preparation for kidding:
For kids the bedding should be arranged with straw. The floor should always be dry.
Identification of breed:
The breed should be identified and also its health can be analyzed by its bloodline and body temperature.
Breeding management:
The age of the Sheep can be considered as the unit of production.
Preparation for Breeding:
All the Sheep should be vaccinated, dewormed and then the hooves of the Sheep should be trimmed.
Read: Boer Goat Breed Profile Information.
Sheep Diseases and Vaccination Management:
The Sheep caring should be taken very seriously; it is one of the main management in the Sheep farming business. The Sheep should be fed with good quality of feed. The Sheep should receive good amount of nutrients and also they need plenty of sunshine. The Sheep farm should be also be clean as this will reduce the disease occurrence in the farm.
If there are any symptoms of diseases, then the farm should consult the vet.
We should consult the doctor if there is any change in physical behaviour.
These are the symptoms of diseases, abnormal temperature, nose discharge, appetite, labored breathing, and diarrhea.
The Sheep hooves should be trimmed regularly for every 4 – 6 weeks.
We should never neglect the hooves as these might cause more loss to the Sheep farm
Diseases:
Fluke infection
Peste Des Petits ruminants
Foot and Mouth Diseases
Haemorrhagic Septicemia
Foot rot
Mastitis
Entertoxaemia
Pneumonia
Tick, lice etc.
Coccidiosis
Tape worm
Round worm
Anthrax
Brucellosis
Vaccinations:
The diseases curing vaccination are of two types. They are
Inactive Vaccinations
Live or Active Vaccinations
Inactive Vaccinations:
The inactive vaccinations are also called as dead vaccines. These vaccines target the organism directly as this will treat the organism until it gets inactive. These will also produce the toxins and then these toxins are called as toxoid inactivation.
Live or Active Vaccinations:
These vaccines will target the organism, directly until the organism loses its virulence. These vaccines are capable of holding or retaining the, to provoke the immune of the Sheep which is targeted.
Read: Goat Farming Business Plan.
Sheep Farming Tips:
Sheep Farming Tips.
The Sheep should be kept in a market where they we get high returns while trading them.
The farmers should make the Sheep their first priority while farming them.
The farm should also have a safety kit.
If there is any change in the behaviour and physical appearance of Sheep they should be vaccinated by consulting the doctors.
The one who is raising the farm should have basic knowledge of Sheep farms and Sheep breeds.
While selecting the breed we should select good and effective breed.
The female Sheep is known as Ewe.
The male Sheep is known as Ram.
If there is a change in behaviour of Sheep, then the farmer should consult the vet doctor.
The farmer should never take own decisions of vaccines as this might cause loss to the business.
If a new farm is starting, then the farmer should know the basic knowledge of rearing Sheep, Sheep breeds and also about the Sheep breed.
The Sheep should be sold in a market where there demand is high, at the trading time.
If there is any requirement of equipment, all those setup should be arranged in Sheep farm.
The treatment or vaccinations should be given to Sheep by consulting the vet.
The Sheep prefer more facilities and comforts.
The farm should always be hygienic.
The Sheep should be observed regularly and should care them properly.
The Sheep are called as social animals.
A first aid kit should also be maintained in a Sheep farm.
In the farm we should also main a storage room for storing the feed, manure, fleece and also the milk.
