Hello! Many people in Pakistan are curious about the business of sheep farming and whether it is profitable or not. They want to know the chances of losses. Today, we are at a well-established sheep farm in Hasilpur, and here we are talking to its owner. In today’s article, we will ask them some questions and try to obtain all the information from them that can prove very useful for our readers, especially for those who want to start sheep farming in Pakistan.
Question: First, please tell us how you came up with the idea to establish such a prestigious and top-notch sheep farm.
Answer: Well, we have been working with sheep and goats for a long time. However, we used to do it at home and on a small scale. So, I realized that this is quite a profitable business, so why not expand it on a larger scale? After that, we established this international-level sheep farm.
Question: Did you start such a large-scale farm from the beginning?
Answer: No, initially, I started with a goat farm, which was a small-scale farm. Then, over time, when we started keeping sheep, we realized the profitability of this business. After that, we brought in about one and a half hundred sheep. Some of them we sold because their performance was not satisfactory, and the rest we bred, and then we started running our farm through that.
Question: How many sheep do you currently have on your farm?
Answer: At the moment, we have around 150 adult sheep, and approximately 70 to 80 lambs.
Question: One of the most challenging stages for a new farmer during sheep farming in Pakistan is selecting the breed. How did you choose the breed for your farm?
Answer: Well, my advice to any new farmer is always to start their sheep farming in Pakistan with just one breed, whatever breed they choose. Now, since all the sheep on our farm belong to the Kajli breed, the biggest advantage is that if anyone wants to buy a specific breed of sheep, they know they can get it from this farm. Moreover, keeping sheep of the same breed makes record-keeping and management much easier.
Also Read: 12 Most Famous Sheep Breeds In Pakistan With Characteristics
Question: So, if we talk about your performance last year, what did you lose and gain from these sheep?
Answer: Well, if I give you an average, we had about 150 sheep available last year, out of which we now have acquired 70 lambs from them. So, in terms of breeding, we are achieving a very good percentage this new spring. Now, every new farmer can’t obtain so many lambs. The most important thing in farming anywhere is the climate, and the climate here is very suitable for sheep.
Question: Even on such a large scale, when a farm is established, selling the sheep along with buying them can still be a challenge, right?
Answer: No, you see, it’s not such a big issue because it’s halal income, and we are living in an Islamic country where such festivals come. When there is a high demand for these sheep and goats. So, at that time, we could easily sell these animals in large markets. Additionally, over time, we have built good relationships with many dealers. In short, selling these animals is not a big issue.
Question: If we talk about expenses, how much are you spending on the feed for these sheep?
Answer: Well, you see, the expenses vary. Here, as we have our land, the expenses are relatively lower in that regard. Grazing sheep is easier than all other animals. The biggest advantage is that they readily eat whatever is available to them. They even consume leftover crops after harvesting.
Question: Sir, if we talk about grazing, how many hours do you spend grazing them?
Answer: We graze them for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening.
Question: When they return from grazing, do you provide them with any extra feed at that time?
Answer: No, during the summer season, we don’t add any extra feed on the farm. However, in winter, we feed them wheat bran, bran, or corn or wanda on the farm.
Question: Sir, could you explain why there is so much use of sand on your farm?
Answer: Well, you see, because our area experiences intense heat, and to save from the heat in summer, we have spread sand here. Because it remains cool and provides relief to the sheep. Additionally, it absorbs the urine of the sheep, comfortably, and as a result, there is no mud or sludge formation.
Question: Can you tell us how much it costs you per sheep daily?
Answer: Well, we have two boys who take care of our sheep, grazing them in the morning and evening. Their monthly salary is 12,000 rupees each. As for the grazing area, it belongs to us. So, considering these factors, you can estimate that it costs us around 10 to 12 rupees per sheep for their daily expenses.
Question: How much space have you allocated for your sheep on this farm?
Answer: Well, our farm consists of approximately four kanals. The sheds for the sheep are constructed quite simply, with the roofs slightly lowered. The roofs are not made too high.
Question: How much did it cost you to prepare the hurleys (feeding troughs) you use for your sheep, including the troughs and any other necessary items?
Answer: We have 12 hurleys, which we had prepared for approximately 30,000 rupees. These are used to feed them, including hay or other feed like Wanda if needed.
Question: Could you please tell us the length and width of the shed you are using for the sheep?
Answer: Certainly, the width of this shed is 32 feet, and the length is 170 feet. The capacity of this shed is more than a hundred sheep, and we had it built long so that when we expand our farm, more sheep can be accommodated here.
Question: How many rams have you kept for these 100 sheep?
Answer: Well, for these 100 sheep, we currently have two rams, which are sufficient for this quantity. However, if we expand our farm in the future, we might need to acquire more rams.
Question: Sir, a common issue, especially for new farmers, is that many lambs die. Can you suggest a solution for this?
Answer: Yes, this issue often arises. We have also faced it, but we have managed to control it. I would like to share what I have learned through my experience with you.
Firstly, ensure that you mate your sheep during a season that corresponds with springtime. If there is excessive heat or cold during parturition season, it can increase the mortality rate of their offspring.
Secondly, try to mate your sheep only once a year. Based on my experience, if sheep or goats are mated twice a year, the mortality rate of their offspring significantly increases afterwards.
Question: So what would you recommend regarding when to breed the sheep, and how can you stop them from breeding when you don’t want to breed them?
Answer: Well, if you ask me when to have them bred, I would suggest October. Through injections, you can prevent them from getting pregnant. In simpler terms, I would schedule their pregnancy in October. This way, their breeding will occur around March, which is the best season for increased offspring in our regions.
Question: Alright, if a new farmer asks whether they should do sheep farming or goat farming, in Pakistan what would you say?
Answer: Well, both types of farming are highly beneficial. It also depends on the preferences of the area and the people. But since I’ve done both types of farming, I can certainly tell you that sheep farming in Pakistan is easier to manage. Compared to goats, managing sheep is relatively easier.
Question: Can you tell us about their diseases and vaccination?
Answer: Yes, vaccination is regularly administered by our veterinarian who visits here. They also conduct regular check-ups and keep track of vaccination status. Vaccination follows a scheduled routine. As for diseases, there haven’t been any specific illnesses that they’ve encountered so far. However, the doctor regularly checks them and manages any necessary treatments.
Question: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start sheep farming in Pakistan? How many sheep should they start with?
Answer: Well, ideally, you should start with at least 50 sheep. If you want to start farming on a larger scale and gradually reinvest the profits from the same farm, start with that number. If you want to start small, you can also begin with 100 sheep and then gradually increase them over time.
Question: If I talk about prices, how much can one sheep be sold for?
Answer: Well, sheep have become quite expensive these days. Livestock prices have increased significantly. Currently, we sell each sheep for approximately between 30,000 to 50,000 rupees. However, if I talk about profitability, we make more profit from selling rams. The rams born on our farm are raised until they reach maturity, and then they are sold during the Eid season, which yields us higher profits. A fully grown ram, which has gained good weight, can be sold for anywhere between 80,000 to 100,000 rupees.
