Abstract

A study was conducted in Salem and Dharmapuri districts with 100 sample respondents to find out the economics of sheep rearing. The study revealed that 73 per cent of the farmers tended macheri cross breed and on an average, each farmer tended 19.20 ewes and 1.39 rams. Annual addition of sheep per farm was 12.78 of which 6.11 were ewes. Maintenance cost per farm worked out to Rs. 1952.81, of which labour accounted for 75.04 per cent and feed cost 17.10 per cent. Income from sheep per farm amounted to Rs. 2699.33 of which 78 per cent by sale of sheep. Marketing cost per sheep worked out to Rs. 3-5 and marketing was mainly carried out in the nearby villages and in shandies.

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