Sheep breeding and its economic feasibility
Sheep are in the third position in terms of their contribution to the provision of red meat in the country after cows and buffaloes. This is in addition to the fact that sheep, as a source of meat, wool and milk, can contribute significantly to solving the problem of animal protein deficiency without being a burden on concentrated fodder materials.
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| Sheep breeding |
Advantages of sheep farming
The price of the unit is cheap, so large capital is not required to form the herd.
Multiple productions (meat - wool - milk - leather).
The most suitable farm animals for grazing in dry and arid regions.
It has its economic status in intensive farming areas where it can feed on crop residues and benefit from them efficiently.
Taking care of sheep is collective, not individual, which reduces labor costs, and they need little time to take care of them daily when compared to other animals.
They are considered to have modest nutritional needs and therefore the efficiency of their meat production is great.
Their reproduction rate is great, so the capital cycle is fast and distinct for large animals.
Formation of a flock of sheep
Among the most important factors that are taken into account when establishing a flock of sheep are the following:
Breed selection:
The breeder usually chooses the members of the herd from the species that are widespread in the region, as their spread is conclusive evidence of their adaptation under the conditions of this region, and it also ensures the ease of marketing their products.
flock size:
The size of the herd must be economical so that the project is a profitable means of capital exploitation and the return from the production unit is as large as possible.
Date and age of purchase:
The purchase must be at a time when the supply increases, and it is recommended that we buy lambs in the months following weaning, that is, at the age of 3-5 months, because the breeder sells his surplus production at this stage. Also, buying lambs at this age gives the breeder who has no previous experience in raising sheep an opportunity to gain experience before entering the productive stage of pregnancy, childbirth, and others. The most suitable months to buy these lambs are in February, March and April when the weather is good, and this period of the year provides the possibility of providing them with green pastures for a period of 2-3 months during their growth period.
Marketing:
The ease of marketing the animals themselves, whether they are adult sheep or fattened or non-fattened lambs, is one of the important factors in the success of sheep breeding. The situation of supply and demand for mutton in the surrounding markets must also be studied.
The presence of a shepherd (sheep):
The presence of an experienced shepherd or sheep is a determining factor for the success or lack of success of a sheep-breeding project, and this is clearly evident when the breeder is not specialized in large herds.
Equipment needed for the sheep project:
Water tank:
It is necessary to have a water tank for watering the sheep, although there are regular sources of water to use it when the regular water is cut off, so that the herd will not be exposed to thirst. The tank is usually made of galvanized sheet or fiberglass, which does not rust, and the tank is placed in a high place on the farm. The capacity of the tank varies according to the size of the herd.
Drinking troughs:
We build drinking troughs above the surface of the ground, provided that the outside walls are not less than 30 cm high to make it easier for the lambs to drink without falling into it. The length of the trough is about 4 meters and a canopy above it. The drinking trough is built of bricks and lined with cement.
feed troughs:
Feeders or feeders shall be in the form of tables made of masonry or wood, 30 cm high and 20 cm deep, and 40 cm shall be allocated for each load. The feeders hold 10-15 lambs on each side. Food may be made of galvanized sheet. There are also feeders for placing alfalfa or hay, and side openings are made in them to facilitate feeding through them.
Sheep pens:
A simple dwelling is sufficient to shelter the sheep at night, provided that it is dry, free from drafts, and protected from rain or direct sun. The barns may have or without a roof, depending on the prevailing weather in the region. And the barns, if they are from the closed system, take into account that they are well ventilated without direct currents. For each adult sheep, about 2 m of barn is allocated. In view of the mild climate in Egypt, barns can be established according to the open system, which is a two-meter-high wall surrounding the barn so that divisions can be made inside it and shade part of the barn with the available materials on the farm and be 3 meters high and 2 meters wide, and a warm room is available in the barn if there are monthly births .
Fattening of lambs
The weight of the lamb should not exceed 15 kg at the start of fattening, because the efficiency of food conversion is better at a young age and decreases with age. Likewise, the rumen is incomplete in young lambs, and it is easier for the lamb to adapt to the new regime in a short time, and the older the pregnancy, the longer it takes gradually. Lambs are sold when their weight reaches 40 kg, as the continuation of fattening after this age leads to the formation of more fat in the body than the formation of meat, and thus the return from fattening decreases, and the value of the carcass decreases and the consumer’s demand for it decreases with the increase in the percentage of fat.
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