Sheep - AgRIS

e slightly more and may range between 5-6 litres. The younger ones may require 1-2 litres of
water every day. The watering should be done in metallic troughs or cement channels.
c) Watering
Water requirements of sheep vary depending upon its physiological status in growth and
production. It also varies according to ambient temperature during different seasons.
i) A native sheep may consume about 2-3 litres of water per day.
ii) The requirements of exotic and crossbred sheep range from 5-8 litres/day particularly
during hot summer season.
iii) Water sheep at least once a day in watering trough or channels.
iv) Water sheep on alternative days during winter and rainy seasons when water requirements
are reduced considerably.
3. Housing and ShelterManagement
Normally sheep do not require elaborate housing facilities but the provision of the
minimum housing requirements will definitely increase productivity by providing shelter to
young lambs, pregnant ewes and breeding rams against inclement weather conditions and
predation.
In the north temperate region after the flocks return from the alpine pastures, 80 per cent of
the flockmen pen their sheep in the open near the houses, 18 per cent along with other animals
and 2 percent on the ground floor of their houses. In Rajasthan, 59 per cent of the flocks are
penned in open fields away from the houses, and the rest in kutcha courtyards near the houses.
In the peninsular region specially in Andhra Pradesh, 41 per cent of the flocks are penned in
enclosures near the houses and the rest in the open fields. Sheep normally do not require
elaborate housing facilities hut provision of suitable shelter particularly for young lambs,
pregnant ewes and breeding rams will definitely increase productivity and redluce losses due to
mortality. It is, therefore, necessary to provide cheap houses with thatched roofs made of
locally available material and thorny fences. In areas normally experiencing extreme cold or
hot winds, some protection against the winds, should also be provided.
1) Provide sufficient protection against solar radiation and hot blowing winds to the exotic
animals.
2) Also arrange shelter against rains and cold chilly weather conditions.
3) Native and crossbred animals may face these situation in a better manner but protection
against predation during night time will save any loss of livestock.
4) Provide 10-12 sq.ft. of space for exotic sheep and 9 sq.ft. for native ones.
5) Sheds measuring 60' x 20' having thatched or with asbestos roofing can accomodate about
120 sheep.
6) A fenced enclosure of 30' x 20' can be provided for night paddocking of sheep.
7) Provide 2" thick thatched roofing during extreme summer.
8) Save exotic rams from summer sterility by providing comfortable room temperature not
exceeding 30 C during hot summer months.
4 ShearingManagement and Control of Canary Colouranon
a) Canary colouration of wool
Unscourable yellow stain on the wool, during its growth occuring during hot humid
months, is refered to as canary colouration. This wool fetches 8-20 percent lower price than the
white wool depend ing upon the intensity of colouration. For the control and to minimize its
occurrence, following steps rnay be taken:
i) Shear wool before the onset of rains so that the quantity of wool grown during July-
August is minimum and saved from heavy yellowing.
ii) Wash sheep before shearing.
iii) Save shorn sheep from direct solar radiation by resorting to morning and evening grazing.
iv) Keep sheep under shade during hot noon hours.
v) Crossbreeding may also help in minimising the yellowing of wool.
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