Guide To Raising Sheep - Essential Tips To Know Before You Raise Sheep

This is a simple and straightforward guide to
raising sheep. Sheep need fresh water, plenty of
grass, and lots of open space to move
about. They also need protection from
natural predators such as foxes and wolves.Sheep
also need to be vaccinated to protect them from
diseases. They also need shelter to keep them
from getting wet especially in cold and humid
weather. 

For lambing needs, the Corriedale and Columbia
breeds are good choices. Dorper and Hampshire
breeds are chosen for the best meat. While for
wool, Merino is still the breed of choice of
producers.Aside from a guide to raising sheep, a
beginning sheep farmer also need equipment and
expert help when starting their flock. A list of
equipment needed include: shearing, tagging,
fencing, and cleaning equipment as well as other
barnyard tools.

Styles of managing sheep are also important in a
guide to sheep farming. Early lambing: lambing in
January to February and selling lambs in early
summer. Late lambing: April to May. Production
costs are lower but lambs will be sold cheaper.
Accelerated lambing: ewes lamb several times a
year. Production is increased with this style of
lambing. It however needs careful management and
the right breed of sheep to pull off.

A farmer also needs to know the most desirable
sheep characteristics in a guide to raising
sheep. Out-of-season breeding: out of season
breeding will increase the value of your product
since it generally means you and only a select
few will be able to offer the market with the
product at that time. Multiple births: ewes that
give birth several times a year increases
production, and naturally your profit. Early
sexual maturity: ewes that sexually mature early
means they give birth early. Faster lamb
production, and generally increased production.
Desirable carcasses: lambs that give good
carcasses when slaughtered are desirable and
bought at higher prices.

Last but not the least, a guide to raising sheep
also needs a glossary of common terms used:

1) Crutching - shearing the hind part of a sheep
to prevent fly-strike

2) Crimp - the natural wave formation of wool.
The closer the crimps, the finer the wool.

3) Micron - used in measuring wool; the
equivalent of one millionth of a metre.

4) Ringing - removing a circle of wool around
the pizzle of a male sheep.

5) Tupping - mating of sheep; can also be
understood as mating season

6) Wigging - removing wool from around a sheep's
eyes to prevent wool-blindness

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Are you searching for more guide to raising
sheep? Distinguish yourself from the usual sheep
owners who are prone to common mistakes. If you
would like to learn more tips on caring for
sheep and how to raise sheep correctly, please
visit: http://www.howtoraisesheep.com

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