In starting any
livestock enterprise. Certain factors such as land breed of stock and
infra-structural facilities and their cost need be adequately considered.
1.
Land: Under extensive
grazing conditions, land requirement is 1.6-4.0ha per 100 sheep. However under
intensive management a well established pasture of 1 ha would support 26-40
sheep.
2.
Breed: advisable to use
breeds adaptable to the ecological zones where the enterprise is to be set e.g
for this zone use the west African dward or the yankasa.
3.
Infrastructure: An office
accommodation for a large enterprise adequate fencing because of their size
require chain link fencing or close fencing. Chain links are at present very
costly, so wood posts plus wire but designed to be close will be adequate.
4.
The foundation stock:
foundation
stock for starting sheep rearing enterprise should be purchased from reputable
sheep breeding farms or government farms. This would ensure purity high genetic
quality and freedom from disease. Unfortunately however, the numbers of
available breeding farms are limited. The open market therefore becomes the
place of choice for the purchase of breeding stock. In purchasing animals from
the open market attention must be given to the animals health age and physical
appearance.
5.
Health: All ewes selected
must be in a thrifty vigorous condition. They should have every appearance of a
life of usefulness ahead of them and give every evidence of raising strong
healthy lambs. Such animals should be free of catarrh diarrhea and skin diseases. Also ensure that animals are
free ectoparasites such as ticks and fleas.
6.
Age: It is advisable to
buy sheep 11/2-3 years old. The age of sheep could be determined using their
teeth. The lamb has narrow teeth known as milk teeth. At 12-14 months the 2
center incisors are replaced by two large broad permanent teeth while those 3
years have permanent teeth. At 2-21/2 years they have 4 permanent teeth while
those 3 years have a permanent teeth and at above 4 years, they have 8
permanent teeth.
7.
Physical appearance: Animal with physical defects
such as lameness. Blindness and malformed toes should be avoided lean and
stunted animals should be avoided. Purchased animals should be fine looking
active have bright eyes ad fine (rather than seruffy and rough) coats. It is
advisable to buy in small batches from as many gentic variability as possible.
Initial health precaution: it is good husbandry practice to quarantine newly
purchased animals for I month before introduction to the herd.