“Selling sheep for rearing to other farmers is more profitable for the breeders. Since five years of farm establishment I have not sold a single adult sheep for meat instead sell it to other farmers for rearing. I also use its manure for growing different crops and yield has increased remarkably,” insists Mr. Naveen.
He rears three sheep breeds in his 6 acre farm. These are Sira, Bandur and Kirugavalu. At present the herd size is 620, Sira breed 60, Bandur breed 300, Kirugavalu 200 and 60 male sheep. His farm is located at Maragowdanahalli, Mandya taluk, Karnataka. It was started in 2013. He took Rs. 6 lakh subsidy from Karnataka government for the farm set up. The farm has scientifically well developed shed, “We have separate sections for post partum, pregnant sheep, kids, male sheep, unhealthy sheep etc,” he adds. Sheep are allowed to move freely in the farm however they are taken outdoors for 2hours to ensure some physical activity.
When asked about the difference in these breeds he elucidates, “Bandur gains good weight in short time and has good looks thus gets sold easily. It has short legs and long body. Kirugavalu is primarily used as suggoracy for Bandur kid. We rear Sira mainly for manure. It also weighs good but its’ meat has no taste therefore doesn’t sells well. On the contrary Sira will come in different colours like black, brown, red, yellow with horns, so people rear it as pet for its good looks and colour.” All three breeds have good health and give birth once a year, majorly one kid/year. “Commercially I feel Bandur is the best breed as it is profitable for its meat.”
Fodder given is subabul, horse masala, drumstick leaves, neem leaves, ceeme grass etc. Dry grass of paddy and ragi is also given to the sheep. All the fodder is grown in-house organically using sheep manure. “We give sileage between 8 AM- 1 PM followed by green fodder. In the evening grains like sweet corn, broken rice grains, horse grams are given in the tray. The shed has 24/7 water facility,” he elaborates on fodder management. Usually 2 kg is fodder consumption of each sheep. Post delivery the sheep is fed with a special diet of sprouts of tur, horsegram, green grams for 10-15days. He recommends horse masala green as it is one of the best energy food for sheep and it is easy to grow. This particular grass can be harvested weekly.
Entire sheep herd is vaccinated once in 6months. As the farm operations are systematic and cleanliness is maintained sheep do not fall sick. On a preventive measure every week a veterinarian visits the farm for a routine check of the entire herd. “Sheep are vaccinated for ETHS, foot and mouth disease etc. In addition once in three months sheep are given round worms’ medication according to the body weight,” shares Mr. Naveen. Home remedies are not preferred as the herd size is grown big. However, he shares few tips, “Horse gram decoction is given in case of cough or cold while beetle leaves for indigestion.”
Sheep breeding is done through natural mating. “We have good male for crossing. These male sheep are reared well with good feed. To avoid inbreeding all animals are tagged and detailed documentation is maintained,” he asserts. The male sheep are also changed once in 2-3 years with other breeding farms.
Mr. Naveen doesn’t sell sheep for meat instead he sells his herd to other farmers for rearing. “A pair of adult sheep is sold at Rs. 8, 000/pair. Also we sell 3-3.5months old kids weighing 9-10kgs. So far we are able to attain farm sustenance by selling adult and kid sheep to other farmers and not for meat. By God’s grace people come to the farm and book for 30kids in advance too. We rear these kids separately and call the buyers after the kids are 3months old,” he affirms.
In future he wants to start a training center for other farmers on sheep rearing. “Along with the meat sheep can also be reared for manure, for example when give bath to the animals we cut its fur. This fur is also used as manure that improves the crop yield. I want to expand my operations so that farmers can have the access to the good health adult and kid,” he shares.
Mr. Naveen concludes, “Sheep farming is a profitable business provided the farm owners are committed to manage the farm sincerely. With half dedication it might lead to some major problems like loss of the herd. Sheep is the living being hence must be taken care of well.”
Contact Details:
Mr. Naveen
S/o Rajanna, Keragodu Hobli, Maragowdanahalli, Mandya Taluk and District – 571 402, Karnataka
Phone: 09844706107
He rears three sheep breeds in his 6 acre farm. These are Sira, Bandur and Kirugavalu. At present the herd size is 620, Sira breed 60, Bandur breed 300, Kirugavalu 200 and 60 male sheep. His farm is located at Maragowdanahalli, Mandya taluk, Karnataka. It was started in 2013. He took Rs. 6 lakh subsidy from Karnataka government for the farm set up. The farm has scientifically well developed shed, “We have separate sections for post partum, pregnant sheep, kids, male sheep, unhealthy sheep etc,” he adds. Sheep are allowed to move freely in the farm however they are taken outdoors for 2hours to ensure some physical activity.
When asked about the difference in these breeds he elucidates, “Bandur gains good weight in short time and has good looks thus gets sold easily. It has short legs and long body. Kirugavalu is primarily used as suggoracy for Bandur kid. We rear Sira mainly for manure. It also weighs good but its’ meat has no taste therefore doesn’t sells well. On the contrary Sira will come in different colours like black, brown, red, yellow with horns, so people rear it as pet for its good looks and colour.” All three breeds have good health and give birth once a year, majorly one kid/year. “Commercially I feel Bandur is the best breed as it is profitable for its meat.”
Fodder given is subabul, horse masala, drumstick leaves, neem leaves, ceeme grass etc. Dry grass of paddy and ragi is also given to the sheep. All the fodder is grown in-house organically using sheep manure. “We give sileage between 8 AM- 1 PM followed by green fodder. In the evening grains like sweet corn, broken rice grains, horse grams are given in the tray. The shed has 24/7 water facility,” he elaborates on fodder management. Usually 2 kg is fodder consumption of each sheep. Post delivery the sheep is fed with a special diet of sprouts of tur, horsegram, green grams for 10-15days. He recommends horse masala green as it is one of the best energy food for sheep and it is easy to grow. This particular grass can be harvested weekly.
Entire sheep herd is vaccinated once in 6months. As the farm operations are systematic and cleanliness is maintained sheep do not fall sick. On a preventive measure every week a veterinarian visits the farm for a routine check of the entire herd. “Sheep are vaccinated for ETHS, foot and mouth disease etc. In addition once in three months sheep are given round worms’ medication according to the body weight,” shares Mr. Naveen. Home remedies are not preferred as the herd size is grown big. However, he shares few tips, “Horse gram decoction is given in case of cough or cold while beetle leaves for indigestion.”
Sheep breeding is done through natural mating. “We have good male for crossing. These male sheep are reared well with good feed. To avoid inbreeding all animals are tagged and detailed documentation is maintained,” he asserts. The male sheep are also changed once in 2-3 years with other breeding farms.
Mr. Naveen doesn’t sell sheep for meat instead he sells his herd to other farmers for rearing. “A pair of adult sheep is sold at Rs. 8, 000/pair. Also we sell 3-3.5months old kids weighing 9-10kgs. So far we are able to attain farm sustenance by selling adult and kid sheep to other farmers and not for meat. By God’s grace people come to the farm and book for 30kids in advance too. We rear these kids separately and call the buyers after the kids are 3months old,” he affirms.
In future he wants to start a training center for other farmers on sheep rearing. “Along with the meat sheep can also be reared for manure, for example when give bath to the animals we cut its fur. This fur is also used as manure that improves the crop yield. I want to expand my operations so that farmers can have the access to the good health adult and kid,” he shares.
Mr. Naveen concludes, “Sheep farming is a profitable business provided the farm owners are committed to manage the farm sincerely. With half dedication it might lead to some major problems like loss of the herd. Sheep is the living being hence must be taken care of well.”
Contact Details:
Mr. Naveen
S/o Rajanna, Keragodu Hobli, Maragowdanahalli, Mandya Taluk and District – 571 402, Karnataka
Phone: 09844706107
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