Champion friends may have seen a unique sheep with curved horns. Garut sheep is called. Garut sheep are found in Garut Regency in West Java, Indonesia. Even though it is called Garut sheep, this sheep is the result of a cross between local sheep with merino sheep from Australia and fat tail sheep from South Africa.
The demand for sheep meat is still high, making the opportunity to raise sheep also large, you know. Apart from its meat, this sheep is also sought after by many people to be used as a fighting sheep. What are the characteristics of Garut sheep? What are the advantages? How to start Garut sheep farming? Come on, find out!
Characteristics of Garut Sheep
The characteristics of Garut sheep are as follows:
- The fur is long, curly, and soft, which can be white, black, or a mixture of colors. This fur helps Garut sheep survive in the cold highland environment.
- Horns are large, sturdy, and curved, especially in rams. These horns are used for agility contests or fighting sheep, which is a cultural tradition in the Garut area.
- The weight of Garut sheep is heavier than other sheep. Male sheep can reach 60-80 kg, while female sheep around 30-40 kg. Garut sheep also have strong necks and large physiques.
- It has many benefits, such as producing meat, skin, horns and fur. Garut sheep have also become a tourism icon and the pride of the Garut people.
Advantages of Garut Sheep Breeding
There are several advantages of raising Garut sheep, namely:
- Big business opportunity. Garut sheep are often used for sacrifices, processed satay, or fighting sheep, so demand is always high.
- Easy to find supplies and equipment. Garut sheep do not need special cages or feed, just use bamboo, buckets, tarpaulin and forage.
- Easy marketing. Garut sheep can be sold at markets, collectors, or animal lovers, at competitive prices depending on the quality and posture of the sheep.
- High selling price. Arrowroot sheep have large weight, horns and fur, which makes them more expensive than other sheep.
- The best source of livestock genetics. Garut sheep have a high level of proliferation, plumpness and health, and produce quality meat, milk, wool, skin and horns.
5 things you need to pay attention to before raising Garut sheep
Several steps need to be taken to start raising arrowroot sheep, namely:
1. Prepare a cage that is clean, comfortable and has good air circulation.
Reporting from Agrozine.id, The size of the pen is adjusted to the number of sheep to be kept. Cage materials that are durable and do not absorb heat, such as wood and thatch, can be used.
The size of the pen for fattening Garut sheep can be made with a size of 1 × 1 m, the parent pen with a size of 1.5 × 1 m, Garut lambs using a size of 0.75 × 1 m and the male pen requires a size of 2 × 1.5 m.
Make sure to keep the Garut sheep pen clean, and build the pen on a high place to prevent flooding, Champion Friends.
2. Choose quality, healthy and free sheep breeds
For optimal livestock results, you need to choose quality sheep breeds. Characteristics of genetically good sheep include:
- fur is not dull and stiff,
- long and symmetrical body,
- clear eye membranes, 1.5-2 years old,
- large udder (for females),
- a pair of symmetrical testicles and high libido (for males),
- normal tail and nipple shape.
3. Breed the garut mother sheep with a suitable male
The number of males required is around 1 for 5-10 females. Before mating, give the male herbal medicine for two weeks to increase his strength. The gestation period for arrowroot sheep is around 5 months, and usually gives birth to one calf.
4. Take good care of garut sheep
Provide nutritious and varied food, such as grass, nuts and agricultural waste. Also provide clean and sufficient drinking water. Carry out regular health checks and provide vaccinations and deworming according to schedule.
5. Harvest arrowroot sheep that are ready to be sold
The harvest age for Garut sheep is around 8-12 months, with a body weight of around 40-60 kg. Garut sheep can be sold as beef sheep, meat sheep, or fighting sheep.
That's the information about arrowroot sheep and how to start raising arrowroot sheep that you can follow. If the preparations before the livestock are complete, this business will be very profitable you know Champion Friends.
Champion provides sheep raising needs starting from feeders, broodstock, feed to sheep pen equipment, so consult now with Champion here.
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Reference:
1. Garut Sheep Cultivation, Quite Promising. URL: https://www.agronet.co.id/detail/budi-daya/peternakan/6194-Budidaya-Ternak-Domba-Garut-Cukup-Menjanjikan (accessed 12/26/2023)
2. Here's how to raise Garut sheep for beginners. URL: https://agrozine.id/berikut-cara-ternak-domba-garut-untuk-pemula/ (accessed 12/26/2023)
3. Raising Garut Sheep in a Practical Way. URL: https://paktanidigital.com/artikel/begini-cara-ternak-domba-garut-dengan-mudah/ (accessed 12/26/2023)
4. Advantages of Garut Sheep Farming Business. URL: https://dkpp.jabarprov.go.id/post/663/keunggulan-usaha-peternakan-domba-garut (accessed 12/26/2023)
5. Garut Sheep, Cultural Heritage and Potential for Livestock Cultivation. URL: https://tumbuhsubur.id/domba-garut/ (accessed 12/26/2023)