Sheep can be breed for a number of different reasons such as wool, milk and meat. Raising sheep for meat requires sheep breeds grow fast and have good carcasses. Sheep that fall in this category are Dorper and Hampshire sheep. These two sheep are known to be resistant to hot weather and parasites. They also grow faster and in a short space can fatten up.
When raising your own sheep for meat there are steps to need to take in order to be successful with your project. Below is a list of things to consider before you venture into this industry.
1. You should know that there is a difference between feeder lambs and slaughter lambs. Feeder lambs are lambs that are brought whilst they are still young. They are feed and raised before they are slaughtered. On the other hand slaughter lambs are bought to be immediately slaughtered.
2. When you want to raise sheep for profits factors that play a role in profitability are the cost of feeding, the lamb growth rate and the market prices at that given time. If your lambs grow faster that means that they will eat less food thus reducing the money you will spend in feeding them.
3. Lamb meat is meat from young sheep that are less than a year old. Hogget meat is from young male sheep and mutton from castrated male sheep. Lamb meat is softer then mutton but on the other hand mutton has more flavor.
4. Sheep meat has different classifications and cuts. The meat is sorted in 3 different sections which are the loin, hind quarter and the forequarter. Lamb cuts are scrag end, middle neck, best end, loin, chump chops, leg, shoulder and breast. When chopping the lamb you cut from the ribs to the loin and the shoulders.
Since sheep meat is a popular cuisine it is a very profitable business to venture in. Barbecued mutton is popular in the United States, Canada and also in Northern Europe just to point out a few.
