Igor Nikolaev
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Is it difficult to keep and raise sheep at home? In this article we will try to understand the basic rules for keeping this type of small cattle. Let's take a closer look at the peculiarities of keeping them in winter and summer and find out what conditions for feeding and keeping sheep will help them grow healthy and gain weight quickly.
Sheep farming is one of the agricultural sectors that has been most actively developing in our country recently.
Sheep have always been valued not only for their tasty and healthy meat, but also for such a valuable product as wool, which is a valuable and sought-after raw material for light industry enterprises. In addition, various types of cheeses and good butter are made from the milk of ewes. In the culture of Asian peoples, most national dishes are prepared using sheep fat, which is distinguished not only by its excellent taste, but also by acting as a natural preservative.
Sheep are very unpretentious animals; they easily adapt to a wide variety of climate conditions and are distinguished by a high level of endurance.
Just like cows, sheep are ruminants, and as a result their diet is based on naturally growing pasture forage. This economic factor makes this livestock industry very attractive from a commercial point of view, since during the spring-summer period there is no need for additional costs for the purchase of feed.
What kind of sheep is best to breed? The breeds of these animals, depending on the type of products obtained from them, are divided into the following areas:
- wool direction;
- wool and meat;
- meat and wool;
- meat and fat (fat-tailed breeds of cattle);
- combined (meat-wool-dairy);
- smushkovoe (Karakul breeds);
- fur coat meat.
A common important indicator for all existing breeds is their fertility.
It is determined as a percentage and calculated according to the principle: how many lambs per year can 100 ewes produce. According to this indicator, the undisputed leader in our country is the Romanov breed. The fertility rate of these animals reaches 250-270 percent.
One of the most important indicators of the productivity of meat sheep is the slaughter yield.
The first indicator tells how much marketable meat can be obtained from a killed animal. It is determined as a percentage of live weight and can reach up to 50 percent. The slaughter yield of rams is always greater than that of ewes. This indicator directly depends on the fatness of the animal. It can be determined at the stage of handing over the animal for slaughter by palpating the subcutaneous fat deposits on the back, in the ribs and on the lower back.
For wool sheep, the most important indicator is the quality of wool.
It can be fine-fleece, semi-fine-fleece, semi-coarse and coarse. The quality of wool material is determined by its fineness, length and structure. Wool obtained in autumn is more valuable than wool obtained in summer. Fine and semi-fine wool is used for the production of fabrics, and semi-coarse and coarse - for the production of carpets, felt and felted shoes.
The main qualitative characteristic for the dairy sector of sheep farming is the amount of protein and fat in milk.
Dairy sheep are highly productive. According to its characteristics, this milk is inferior to cow's milk, so it is used mainly as a raw material for the preparation of cheeses, cottage cheese, butter and other products.
A distinctive feature of this type of domestic animal is its precocity.
The first time they are allowed to mate at the age of one year, although sexually they mature at 6-8 months. Pregnancy in sheep lasts up to 165 days. The lifespan of these animals is up to 25 years, but breeding rams and ewes for their intended purpose can be used for a maximum of seven years.
Since sheep are grazing animals, they are kept on grazing in the spring and summer.
The basis of their diet is pasture, and it is during this period of time that grazing lands are especially rich in green forages necessary for normal development.
The following types of pastures are distinguished:
- artificially created (people sow land with fodder grasses);
- natural (naturally growing food);
- with a predominance of perennial plants;
- with a predominance of annual plants.
It should be remembered that not all sheep breeds quickly adapt when switching from one type of feed to another (from winter to summer diet). Therefore, when keeping sheep, it is recommended to gradually adapt them to green feed.
In addition, it should be taken into account that not all types of grasses growing on pastures are suitable for this type of animal. For example, sheep should not be grazed in damp or swampy areas, since improper feeding leads to various diseases that can lead to the death of animals.
Herding sheep is quite difficult, since they are not very agile and have a highly developed herd instinct, and are also poorly oriented in space.
In this regard, sheep are usually grazed together with goats, whose orientation in the area is fine. The herd instinct only helps here, since where the goat goes, the whole flock will move there. The disorientation in space and sluggishness of sheep is explained by their poor eyesight, hence their desire to stay close to each other. However, if after the start of grazing the sheep continue to be fed at home, they are quite capable of remembering the way to their native shed. In summer, sheep drink up to 10 liters of water per day, so there should be a drinking bowl or some kind of reservoir next to each pasture. The sheep keeping system determines a strict grazing regime: from 5-6 o'clock in the morning to 8-9 o'clock in the evening.
When animals are kept for the purpose of fattening (for meat or lard), year-round stall housing is often used.
The animals are kept in stalls throughout the winter period. Caring for sheep at this time requires special attention.
Since sheep are resistant to both high and low temperatures, there are no special requirements for room insulation. In winter, the basis of the diet of these animals is hay harvested from the summer and various types of purchased feed and feed additives. For the winter, one adult needs up to five hundred kilograms of hay, the same amount of silage and other succulent feed, as well as 50 kilograms of concentrates. If there is not enough hay, then up to a third of its amount can be replaced with oat, grain or bean straw. Sheep also eat well the so-called branch food (brooms). The branches for these brooms are harvested in the summer. Young shoots of trees with green leaves are best.
Room
Not only their health, but also their immunity and growth directly depend on the conditions in which animals are kept.
Premises intended for keeping sheep are divided into stalls. They can be either single or group. The area in the stall for one individual should be:
For ewes with lambs, a separate stall must be allocated, the area of which must be at least 2.5 sq.m. If there is more than one baby per lamb, an additional 0.7 sq.m. is required. Despite the unpretentiousness of sheep, the sheepfold should be equipped with heating and ventilation systems.
Since sheep walk in large herds close to each other, the entrance to the room must be made wide. In addition, the sheepfold must be adapted for easy cleaning and ventilation. A lack of fresh air can cause a deterioration in appetite and a decrease in immunity, as well as a decrease in the quality of the coat and other not the most pleasant consequences. However, on the other hand, there should be no drafts in the room, so windows for ventilation should have no cracks. It is better if the paddock is close to the grazing.
Keeping and raising sheep is one of the key areas in agriculture, which is continuously developing in many southern regions. Even ancient people were engaged in sheep farming. This animal was already valued for its juicy meat. Sheep milk is used as a base for making various cheeses and butters. Sheep wool is highly valued: it is used to make warm and light clothes. Many oriental national dishes are prepared with the addition of sheep fat, which has an excellent taste and aroma.
How to raise sheep? What difficulties might a person face who decides to start breeding and keeping sheep? If you follow all the subtleties of caring for these animals, then keeping them at home will not be difficult.
If a novice farmer has a goal to make this livestock business profitable, then he will need well-thought-out business model, where all costs will be detailed. You need to understand that sheep farming is not limited to just purchasing lambs.
Necessary have an equipped area with comfortable living conditions for sheep and food supplies for the winter. You cannot do without assistants who will be responsible for walking the herd on pastures and maintaining cleanliness in the sheepfolds.
The best breeds of sheep for breeding on a private farm
Before you start breeding sheep, you need to study the available breeds, and then decide on the directions of sheep breeding.
Universal and one of the most popular breeds - this is Romanov's. It is characterized by excellent meat productivity, high offspring and milk production.
In addition, Romanov sheep give the best sheepskin. To obtain high-quality wool, fine-wool sheep are suitable:
- Altai;
- Stavropol
The shearing of Altai sheep sometimes reaches 10 kg per year. Meat-wool breeds have semi-fine wool. This type happens short-haired and long-haired. The weight of the animal fluctuates around 70–80 kg. Among the semi-fine-fleece rocks, the following are distinguished:
- North Caucasian.
- Kuibyshevskaya.
- Tien Shan.
- Russian longhair.
- Romney march.
Short-haired sheep ( Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian) are endowed with such advantages as rapid maturation and tasty meat. Faux fur, high-quality carpets and technical cloth are made from the Tsigai and Georgian semi-fine wool breeds.
The fur breed, in addition to the Romanov, also includes the exquisite Karakul. Excellent lard and meat are obtained from fat-tailed sheep, and the wool is used to produce felt. The largest sheep of this type is Gissar. There are animals weighing up to 200 kg.
More and more farmers are mastering raising sheep at home for beginners, since this area of the livestock business is considered one of the most profitable. Statistics show that profit from a flock of 300 heads is only 25%, so if you want to use sheep breeding as a business, and not only start it, but also succeed, we recommend keeping larger flocks. In this article you will learn all the features of caring for rams in winter and summer.
Raising sheep for meat at home
Rams are considered fast-growing animals, because after just a few months the weight of a young lamb is half the weight of an adult. If you decide to succeed in the business of breeding sheep for meat or plan to raise rams for yourself, then choose meat breeds. To obtain meat, farmers most often choose the Romanov breed of sheep. Such sheep are also distinguished by their high milk production, so you will get at least one liter of milk per day.
The photo shows stall maintenance in winter
It is important for novice farmers to know that sheep, when bred at home, do not tolerate high humidity. Therefore, it is important to build a high-quality sheepfold and insulate it well to keep the flock in winter. Straw bedding will help ensure cleanliness when keeping the pen. When keeping, do not forget to provide free access for sheep and rams to feed and water.
Advantages of sheep breeding as a business for beginners and successful farmers:
- Sheep meat is considered dietary, so it can be sold at a high price.
- While the lamb is growing, shear its wool, the sale of which will become a source of additional income.
- Milk is also a good way to make a profit, because delicious cheeses are made from sheep’s milk.
The photo shows the arrangement of the feeder
Before you start raising sheep as a business, make a spending plan, because you need not just to buy young lambs, but to provide a comfortable place for them to live, stock up on feed for the winter and hire auxiliary workers who will walk the flock in the pasture and clean the sheepfolds. Only by following a clear business plan can you succeed in this livestock farming business.
Feeding sheep in winter at home
When breeding in sheepfolds, according to farmers' reviews, it is necessary to include grass, cereal hay, and corn silage in the diet. Bean silage can be used, and concentrated feed can be included in the diet of suckling queens. Don't forget to put lick salt in the feeder when feeding.
Table of daily diet for 1 head
- 4 kg of hay;
- 1.5 kg of grain.
This norm will decrease slightly in the spring and summer, when walking is carried out in the fields and animals can eat fresh grass.
Diet table for feeding Romanov breed ewes
If you decide to start raising sheep at home for beginners in order to get a lot of wool, then feeding in winter and summer should include a 2:3 ratio of legumes to grains.
The decrease in sheep productivity directly depends on nutrition, therefore, beginners, do not forget about mineral supplements:
- phosphate without fluorine;
- bone flour;
In the summer, according to reviews from experienced sheep breeders, it is worth watering the animals 2 times a day, preferably with well water rather than standing water. When keeping sheep in winter, you can water them only once a day.
Photos of feeding in winter
Another important feature of raising lambs at home for beginners is that during the transition from the winter stall period to the pasture period, succulent feed should be introduced into the diet gradually. This will help avoid intestinal disorders in the entire flock. If you plan to switch your sheep to pasture feeding in the spring, then walking should last about 12-14 hours a day, then all individuals will be well-fed and healthy.
Sheep: breeding, care, video
Watch a selection of videos about the features of caring for meat breeds:
Shepherd hangar for winter maintenance:
How to care for sheep at home
To breed and keep sheep for beginners, it is not necessary to have large areas; you can try raising a couple in your dacha. A small sheepfold can accommodate up to a dozen sheep - this is already a good start for succeeding in this line of business in the future. Sheep are not afraid of frost, but are very sensitive to humidity. If you do not want to lose your flock due to various diseases, monitor the humidity level in the sheepfold and in the pasture.
In the photo, lambs are eating concentrated feed.
In the summer, sheep can be kept in the same way as goats - under a canopy that protects from the wind and scorching sun. In winter, the rams will have to be moved to a closed, insulated room.
Each breed of sheep has its own characteristics and different sexual maturation. This is important to take into account for both beginners and experienced farmers, because although maturation can occur after 4-8 months, it is advisable to allow mating at one year of age.
The photo shows pasture breeding
If your goal is not just breeding rams and sheep at home for beginners, but also to obtain meat in a short time, after lambing, take the lambs from the sheep after 3 days. Further maintenance will take place on artificial nutrition. If you want to start a sheep breeding business and succeed in it, then use this approach when keeping 10-15 sheep. After just a few months, free or artificial mating can be carried out again.
Sheep farming is not one of the most profitable types of business. However, with a reasonable approach, the farm owner will provide his family with meat, milk and skins, and, if desired, organize small production on the basis of his farm. Beginners should consider beef farming: today it is the most promising. Additional profit will come from the sale of breeding stock.
Sheep farming: pros and cons
The question of whether it is profitable to raise sheep occupies all farmers.
Rams and lambs are much less demanding than cattle; they do not need extensive insulated stalls, being content with light shelters.
However, sheep management systems provide extensive pastures that must be seeded yourself. Without the required amount of land, it will not be possible to organize a break-even farm.
Sheep farming is a profitable business in rural areas
Raising sheep at home has the following advantages:
- Female fertility. The best breeds produce 2 litters per year.
- The animals are hardy, have good health, and do not suffer from temperature changes.
- Pasture farming allows you to significantly save on the construction of livestock housing.
- Sheep provide not only meat, but also skins, six, and milk. Even the sale of litter can bring some income.
The disadvantages of the project include:
- the need for large one-time investments to purchase livestock;
- business needs additional workers (shepherds, livestock specialists, shearers, milkmen);
- fertile land is required for fattening meadows.
It is better to breed sheep on the territory of a former state farm. Suitable land can be purchased or leased. It is convenient if there is a settlement nearby, where you can hire workers for your future enterprise.
Before purchasing livestock, you must register as a farm or peasant enterprise. Organizing a legal entity is not required, but many prefer to form an LLC or obtain individual entrepreneur status.
This makes it possible to purchase a favorable loan, select an investor and save on taxes. In addition, many large buyers prefer to work with a legal entity, so timely registration will be useful in the long run. Livestock raised must obtain veterinary passports. 
Finding a suitable plot for a farm is not easy. In some regions there are practically no territories left that can be rented profitably. Among them are Kalmykia, Stavropol region, North Caucasus, Astrakhan region. But in the Central Belt area and in Siberia there are still suitable areas. The disadvantage of leasing in these regions may be insufficient soil fertility, which does not allow animals to be transferred to pasture. However, there are also advantages - lower grain prices and the ability to fatten animals in stalls.
Formation of livestock
The future farm owner must decide what animals he will raise. Much depends on the specific region. For example, fat-tailed breeds are traditionally in demand in the south, while meat varieties are popular in central Russia. Farmers rarely raise sheep for their skins, but collecting fine wool may well be the start of a separate business.
The Romanov breed is hardy and unpretentious
Modern sheep farming is focused on growing meat breeds. The demand for high-quality lamb is growing; it will be easier for the future farmer to organize a sales market. Raising sheep for meat is cheaper; there is no need to hire milkers or purchase special equipment, which is necessary when creating a dairy farm.
The choice of breeds is quite large.
In the southern regions, fat-tailed sheep with dense meat and a lot of fat are popular.
Karachay and Edilbaev rams are especially popular in this category. They grow very quickly, are distinguished by good fertility, endurance and good health. Animals quickly fatten up meat; it tastes good, is high in calories, and is suitable for preparing a wide variety of dishes.
A good choice for beginning farmers is the extra-large Gissarov sheep. They develop very quickly, do not require special feed, and are content with grazing. Hissars reproduce successfully and allow you to increase the herd in the shortest possible time. The only disadvantage of fat-tailed breeds is their heat-loving nature. They tolerate daily changes in weather, but do not tolerate long, cold winters.
Karachay and Edilbaevsike sheep produce a lot of tasty and juicy meat
For the harsh conditions of central Russia and Siberia, Romanov sheep are more suitable. This breed is a real record holder for fertility. Queens usually lamb in twins, the offspring have good immunity, and the survival rate of the young is high. Romanov breeds have tasty meat without excess fat, they produce milk suitable for cheese production, and high-quality wool. The breed is quite accessible; young animals can be purchased at most sheep farms that deal with breeding stock.
For those who want to get the most delicious and delicious meat, Tekkelevts are suitable.
The breed was bred in Holland, it is difficult to purchase young animals, but after organizing a herd, you can breed sheep for sale. The meat of Teckel sheep has no characteristic odor and is suitable for preparing the most delicious dishes. 
A separate direction is fine-fleece sheep breeding. Before placing a bet on animals with long, high-quality hair, it is worth finding a sales market; it is quite specific. Experts are confident that today this area is less in demand than raising sheep for meat.
Raw materials require pre-processing and hiring additional personnel for shearing.
Reliable shelters will also be needed, since unfavorable weather conditions can ruin the delicate cover. Fine-fleece sheep farming is not a good idea for new farmers; it is suitable for experienced livestock farmers who have enough space to support a large herd.
Animal care
Numerous manuals for beginning farmers will help you understand how to care for sheep. However, some nuances can only be learned through personal experience.
It is important to take care of the quality of the grass: the higher it is, the better the animals develop. Meadows with mixed herbs are suitable; most farmers are not content with the gifts of nature, preferring to sow the areas themselves.
To graze healthy sheep, you need good pastures with edible forbs
A variety of legumes, bluegrass, sweet clover, fescue, winter rye, clover, granary, and sorghum are good for adequate nutrition of animals. It is advisable to organize several pastures where you can grow different varieties of herbs. While pasture-raised cattle graze in one field, another is sown with fast-growing seeds. After the first plot is emptied, the animals are moved to a new plot.
Separate fields are organized for the preparation of feed. To ensure that livestock does not suffer from lack of food during the cold season, it is important to correctly calculate reserves.
An adult sheep needs about 2 kg of high-quality hay per day. Keeping sheep in winter also requires more nutritious supplements in the form of barley and oats. However, you should not abuse this type of food, since if there is an excess of grains, animals will begin to intensively accumulate fat, which worsens the taste of the meat. Lambs additionally receive steamed bran.
Winter keeping of sheep requires the organization of a spacious paddock. Animals must be protected from wind, rain and snow, so special attention is paid to the quality of the roof. Sheep housing does not require special heaters; animals can easily tolerate lower temperatures. In the common enclosure, a room must be fenced off for pregnant and lactating females with their young. If the ewe produces large offspring (this is typical for Romanov sheep), the lambs are fed artificially. Goat's milk is suitable; it is absorbed better than cow's milk.
In winter, lambs are additionally fed bran
In particularly cold winters, these enclosures can be heated, or at least the floor can be covered with a large amount of hay.
Raising sheep for fattening involves predominant housing in stalls. However, pastures help save money on feed; the meat becomes tastier and less fatty.
Keeping young animals: subtleties for beginners
Raising sheep at home begins with organizing special conditions for lambs. It is not difficult to understand how to keep young animals; just read several popular manuals for livestock specialists. In the first days of life, the offspring are fed colostrum. For several days, the lamb is kept with the uterus in a separate pen, then the family can be combined with other sheep that have offspring.
Young individuals are the weakest, so they require special care
Young lambs are released into the general herd after 3 months. At this time, animals become completely independent and graze along with adults. The most difficult time to raise a lamb is until it is 3-4 months old; at this age it is especially vulnerable to infections and needs constant supervision. At the age of 8 months, the young animals begin to estrus; closer to 11 months, the young animals are able to give birth.
Sheep breeding usually occurs in autumn. At this point, the farm organizers must calculate how much of the young stock will be left for fattening and breeding, and how much will go for slaughter or sale. Depending on this, the supply of feed for the winter is calculated.
Raising lambs is a difficult but profitable business. It is better to rely on purebred cattle.
Animals need more careful care and high-quality feed; they must be vaccinated on time, and, if necessary, isolated from the general herd and treated. But properly raised purebred young animals can be sold profitably.
Before starting work, a detailed business plan is drawn up, including a feasibility study of the project. This information may be useful when obtaining a loan or selecting a partner. For more information on how to raise sheep for meat, watch this video:
For break-even production, it is important to correctly calculate the size of the future herd. It is better to start a family enterprise with 1000 animals; by autumn it naturally increases by 700 - 800 animals. Breeding animals for meat does not require long-term cultivation; products from young animals are in great demand on the market.
If it is not possible to provide the necessary livestock, you can purchase 200 heads.
Experts believe that this is the minimum amount to ensure the operation of the farm throughout the year. It is worth considering that some animals may die (this percentage is especially high among young animals).
Proper selection of personnel is very important. It is advisable to have at least one specialist with a veterinary education on staff. Methods for raising sheep can be different, but you can’t do without a good shepherd (or better yet two) with free grazing. The well-being of the herd depends on these people, so there is no need to save. An experienced shepherd must understand how to properly maintain sheep; he is responsible for all livestock. Sometimes this role is played by one of the farmer's family members. To see how much money it will take to open a farm, watch this video:
The main care of the sheep will be taken over by unskilled workers who come under the supervision of a shepherd. They can be hired in the nearest locality; wages depend on the region and can be calculated by the hour.
Sales of products
A very important issue is the sale of meat, skins, and wool. Most often, farmers negotiate with wholesalers. This guarantees a constant distribution channel, but brings a minimum of profit, since raw materials are purchased at the lowest price. It is much more profitable to negotiate direct sales with retail buyers.
Catering chains, single restaurants and cafes, recreation centers, small shops and stalls can become regular consumers of high-quality lamb.
For independent trading, you can rent a counter at the market or open an online store, this will expand the circle of customers. A good idea is to unite with other farmers and organize cooperative shops. The owner of a sheep farm can supply not only meat and fat, but also milk. 
Another profitable idea is organizing production directly on the farm. From meat you can make smoked delicacies, semi-finished products, sausages, and stewed meat. It’s easy to make healthy yogurt and delicious cheese from sheep’s milk.
Equipment for a meat or dairy shop can be leased; used machines purchased at auction will also be inexpensive.
The success of a home sheep farming business depends on the funds invested in the project, the efficiency of the organizers and, of course, luck. Even at the start, you should prepare for the upcoming difficulties and failures. If successful, the farm can break even in 2-3 years, and in the future it will bring a stable profit.
Keeping and raising sheep at home is not difficult. Sheep farming is one of the oldest human activities, because these domestic animals can be a source of meat, wool, fat and milk. In the modern world, most farmers start their business with sheep. The fact is that maintaining even a large flock is an economically profitable activity and, accordingly, brings good income.
The advantages of raising sheep are the following: they do not need special housing conditions, feeding occurs mainly on pasture, good fertility and high survival rate of young animals. These features give sheep a great advantage over other livestock species.
Features of keeping and raising young animals
Sheep are distinguished by excellent health, naturally, subject to the correct maintenance system. This feature is inherited, so the survival rate of lambs is 90-100%.
Raising young animals does not cause much trouble for the farmer. Yarks are endowed with a strong maternal instinct, so they are able to independently take care of their offspring. The farmer's participation in this process is minimal, but still required.
First, you need to take care of the premises. The pen where the lambs will be kept must be insulated and cleaned.
Within two to three hours after lambing, the lamb must be placed with its mother. She will give him milk and lick him.
Important! It is imperative to feed the lamb colostrum! If the female is not able to do this herself, you need to milk her yourself and give the lamb something to drink from a bowl.
After this, the baby must be kept with his mother for several days. After a short quarantine, the ewe and lamb can be released to the rest of the flock.
Pasture management of young animals comes down to the fact that lambs should not graze separately. At least two. This makes it easier for them to cope with separation from their mother.
Despite the fact that adults are quite hardy and some breeds are able to go without water for 2-3 days, young animals must have unlimited access to water.
In addition to green feed, it is useful to include grain crops and root vegetables in the diet of young animals. In addition, for faster weight gain, you can use combined feeds.
Remember that keeping young animals includes mandatory vaccination of the entire livestock!
Features of keeping and raising sheep
There are two main systems for keeping adults: stall and pasture. On the territory of our country, sheep are kept in a combined way. From early spring to late autumn, animals are kept on pasture and only with the onset of cold weather are they transferred to stall housing.
Almost all breeds of sheep can withstand low temperatures. Therefore, you can keep 3-4 animals from the sheep family at home in almost any barn or utility room.
If you have a flock of a hundred heads, then it is worth making a more spacious room for keeping. There is nothing tricky about this, so many farmers do it on their own.
Since sheep can withstand cold weather, you can save on heating costs. A regular stove will be enough to maintain the desired temperature of +8 degrees.
The only things that need to be taken care of are ventilation and flooring. The fact is that Sheep's weak point is their hooves. In order for your flock to be healthy, the floor in the sheepfold must be made of planks.
And the presence of ventilation in the room is a prerequisite for any livestock. Not a single living creature tamed by man is capable of living in dampness.
Raising sheep in winter requires a special diet. Stall housing means that you will have to provide food for your charges. The consolation is that sheep are practically omnivorous. In winter, they willingly consume hay, straw, and root vegetables. It is useful to give thin tree branches to animals. This is the main source of vitamins.
With the onset of spring, animals switch to grazing. During this period, they can be left to graze around the clock. Of course, under reliable security.
The fact is that sheep are herd animals and cowardly. Any sharp and loud sound can cause a flock to scatter over a fairly wide area. It is noteworthy that rams and lambs will not be able to find their way on their own, so you will have to look for them.
But feeding the flock will no longer concern you. Sheep are quite capable of gaining good weight even on grassed pastures. The only thing worth taking care of is access to water. Even the juiciest grass is no substitute for plenty of water. An adult can drink up to 10 liters of liquid per day. Consider this fact when choosing pasture.
Features of keeping and raising rams
Raising sheep and keeping rams do not have key features. The animals belong to the same species, so the conditions of keeping and feeding are identical.
There are usually fewer sheep in a flock. After all, they are needed mainly for inseminating sheep. Therefore, they usually leave several especially fertile males for the tribe, and the rest after the summer feeding are slaughtered for meat.
If you want to control the appearance of young animals, it is recommended to keep males separately from females. Animals are brought together only for mating, usually in the fall.
The number of males, depending on the breed and fertility, may vary. There are cases when one breeding ram can cover the entire flock.
True, such fertility is achieved only as a result of excellent health. Therefore, do not forget to take care of your breeding rams. Good feeding, regular examination by a veterinarian and mandatory vaccinations. By the way, these preventive measures also apply to other animals.
Rams, like sheep, willingly eat almost any food. It is worth noting the fact that It is not recommended to graze animals on wet pastures. Despite their natural resistance to external influences, sheep can get sick from dampness.
Rams usually gain weight faster than lambs, so by the age of 4-5 months they can already be slaughtered for meat. In addition, males usually have impressive dimensions, so some breeds are able to independently protect the flock from predators.
Considering that sheep are able to spend the entire summer period on pasture, it makes sense to take care of the purchase. This will reduce the cost of operating personnel.
Do not forget to vaccinate and regularly invite an experienced livestock specialist to inspect your animals. Some infections, such as or, do not manifest themselves in the initial stage, but lead to death.
Although animals can live for about 14 years, it is considered cost-effective to keep them until they are eight years old at most. After this, the quality of wool and meat drops significantly.
Remember to clean and trim your sheep's hooves regularly. Otherwise, they may develop health problems.
To prevent animals from running away from any rustle, it is recommended to herd goats or horses with them. Sheep very often copy the behavior of other animals, so a goat or horse may well become a role model for them.
Despite the fact that females are capable of reproducing offspring at the age of 7-8 months, experienced farmers advise postponing mating. The optimal age for mating is 10-12 months. The fact is that early lambing can bring unhealthy offspring and harm the mother herself.
