Keeping fat-tailed sheep - sheep breeding for beginners
In Russia, sheep breeding, as a business of selling mutton, began to develop actively only in the second half of the 20th century. In the 60s, Soviet breeders bred the first fat-tailed sheep breeds, which gained a lot of weight in a short period of time.
In comparison with ordinary six-month-old sheep, which weighed up to 40 kg, fat-tailed breeds gained weight up to 100 kg. With the development of selection, fat-tailed sheep were bred, which gained weight up to 140 kg.
The most promising breed of sheep for a farmer is considered to be the “Fat-tail Afghan”. Females of this breed reach a weight of 120 kg, and males - 140-150 kg. The net meat yield is 60%. Sheep enter childbearing age as early as two years of age. They bear offspring for four years, then the sheep are slaughtered for meat.
The difference between fat-tailed sheep from ordinary breeds
Fat-tailed sheep breeds have a distinctive feature: fat tail. A fat tail is a fatty sac that is located either on the belly or on the sheep's pelvis. Inside the fat sac, fat tail fat accumulates. It contains more than 20 unique chemical compounds that are very useful for humans.
The fat tail fat contains hormones that elude sheep's weight gain and substances that enhance the immunity of animals. Therefore, fat-tailed sheep are less likely to get sick.
The increased immunity does not protect sheep from helminthiasis and campylobacteriosis, therefore it is necessary to vaccinate the flock and provide fat-tailed sheep breeds with good conditions.
Sheep feed base
Sheep feed mixture consists of:
- hay;
- oats:
- fresh grass.
Hay is the basis of the mixture. Every day, an adult sheep eats 5 kg of hay. Oats are given at the rate of 500 g per sheep daily. Free grazing of flocks compensates for the lack of vitamins. For one pasture, a sheep eats about 3 kg of grass.
In sheep breeding, natural feed is considered to be the best, but if you keep a large flock, you can use compound feed.
Room heating
The house for keeping the sheep does not need to be heated. The comfortable temperature for these animals is +6ABOUTFROM.
It is more important for sheep to provide good lighting and ventilation of the room. It is also important that there are no drafts in the room.
Shearing fat-tailed sheep
Unlike wool breeds, fat-tailed sheep are sheared once a year. The "Afghan fat tail" sheep grows over with wool, and in early August this breed begins to molt. During molting, sheep lose not only wool, but also weight. Therefore, sheep breeders cut a little earlier: in mid-July.