This article focuses on sheep farming in Kenya. Sheep farming is a profitable agribusiness venture that involves the rearing of sheep commercially for meat (mutton), wool and milk production.
Sheep are hardy animals that require little capital and space to rear. They can give a farmer maximum profits within a short period of time.
An ewe (female sheep) can give birth to 3 lambs in a year. Gestation period for the ewe is about 147 days.
Breeds of Sheep in Kenya
There are different breeds of sheep that a farmer can rear depending on the purpose of rearing either for mutton, milk or wool production. Some of the popular breeds include;
- Merino.
- Dorper.
- Corriedale.
- Persian black head.
- Bannur.
- Deccani.
- Cheviot.
- Ramboullet.
- Bellary.
Housing of Sheep
Sheep don’t require complex or complicated housing structures. You can build a simple structure to accommodate them. The structure should be spacious, well lit and properly ventilated.
Feeding
For proper growth and production, the sheep should be well fed and provided with adequate drinking water. You can feed them with grass, corn and protein supplements such as soybeans, sunflower, cotton seeds etc.
Diseases
Just like any other animals, sheep are susceptible to diseases such as Brucellosis, Sheep pox, Blue tongue, Orf and Peste de pests ruminants. Some of the diseases may be fatal. To prevent the diseases you can vaccinate them early enough and deworm them regularly.
The sheep can also be attacked by pests such as mites, ticks and worms.
Market for Sheep in Kenya
Sheep products are very marketable in Kenya, especially mutton. The demand for mutton in the country is high compared to the supply.
You can source for the market in local butcheries, high-end hotels and restaurants. The sheep can also be sold locally in open-air markets where mature ones fetch good prices.
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