Showing posts with label farm animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label farm animals. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

How to make money from sheep production


A productive and well managed farm can provide suitable space for profitably raising sheep, With productive sheep and close control of expenses, a profit is possible. Sheep produce income from the sale of meat, wool and milk. The highest-quality meat is produced from lambs, sheep under one year of age. Most sheep are sheared once per year to produce wool. Sheep’s milk is a specialty product often used for cheese production.

Lambing Season
Successful marketing of sheep products is critical for a profitable sheep operation. The price for lamb is often higher in the spring than during other times of the year. Some sheep producers schedule fall lambing to produce market lambs by spring. However, only certain breeds of sheep such as Dorset, Rambouillet and Polypay, lamb during the fall. Most breeds give birth to lambs during the late winter or early spring, producing market lambs for summer or fall sales.

Twins
Ewes normally give birth to one to three lambs per year. Most ewes successfully raise two lambs. Twins provide a larger profit than single lambs. The ability to produce twins rather than single lambs is partially inherited. Ewes who are a twin or triplet tend to produce more than one lamb. Careful selection of breeding ewes is necessary for a profit.

Marketing Plan
It is essential to have a marketing plan. Sheep producers sell sheep by auction or directly to slaughterhouses, restaurants or retail outlets. Some producers sell lamb at farmer’s markets. Sheep producers raising purebred sheep sell breeding stock to other producers. A market is necessary for selling wool and sheep’s milk.

Labor
During certain times of the year, raising sheep is labor intensive. During lambing season, ewes and newborn lambs require close observation and assistance. If sheep are consuming hay, daily labor is required to feed the hay. Foot trimming, shearing, ear tagging, tail docking and other management practices require skilled labor.

Feed
Feed is one of the largest expenses for a sheep- raising operation. Pasture and hay provide most of the feed for the ruminant animals. Small acreage doesn’t allow the production of large amounts of feed. For a profit, it is necessary to find inexpensive sources of good-quality hay or suitable pasture for grazing.

Protection
Sheep require protection from predators. Coyotes and stray dogs kill unprotected sheep. Guard dogs, electric fences and close supervision help keep sheep safe. A sound healthcare program with necessary vaccinations keeps the sheep healthy and productive.

16 Reasons why pigs make best pets

  • They’ve got great style.
  • They’re adventurous.
  • They’re inquisitive.
Especially when it comes to food. Like if there's food around, that pig will find it.
  • They’re top-notch loafers.
  • They’ve got infectiously cheerful dispositions.
  • They’re super smart.
This means they can be house-trained, and learn tricks, but it can also mean they will try to outsmart you.
  • They enjoy the finer things in life.
Like basking in the summer sun. Or taking a quick dip.
  • They make fast friends.
Seriously, they love every creature in this world and every creature loves them
  • They’re expert snugglers.
  • They’re always down for a girls’ night in.
  • They SAVE LIVES.
Lucky the pig saved his Illinois family by waking them up in the middle of a house fire. Back in 2002, pot-bellied pig LuLu lay down in the middle of traffic to get a driver to stop and follow her back to her house, and get help for her human who had just suffered a heart attack
  • They’re loyal and affectionate.
  • They’re mischievous.

So be prepared to be kept busy.
  • When they’re babies, they are literal angels.
  • And if it’s the right match for you…
Pigs can grow to upwards of 400 pounds, need access to pools or puddles to cool down in the hot weather, and thrive in homes with a lot of space for roaming and rooting.
    • They can be your new best friend.
  • Sunday, June 22, 2014

    Horrible sea creatures, Are they really existing?


    The Blobfish was recently named the world’s ugliest animal and for good reason. This gnarly looking fish inhabits the deep waters off the coasts of mainland Australia and Tasmania, as well as the waters of New Zealand. Are you ready to bust out the Go Pro camera to hunt down and find this little guy?


    Another hollow beauty, the Ghost Shrimp only has color when it eats something colorful. It only eats plant based foods. It resides in lakes and rivers throughout the central portion of the United States. They are as clear as the glass aquariums thanks to their semi translucent shells.


    The Blind Lobster is also called the Dinochelus ausubeli, which means terrible and fearful in Greek. The new species belongs to the Thaumastochelopsis group, which was represented by only four specimens. The Census of Marine Life collected it at 300 meters.< Br>

    The Jeweled Umbrella Squid was found 1,650 feet beneath the North Atlantic Ocean. The eyes on this distinct beauty are mismatched. One is bigger than the other which helps with scoping it’s prey in the darkness. The sea creature is known to get pretty large in size; 119 centimeters total in length.


    The Sea Angel is normally seen swimming in groups and is classified into six families. The sea slugs are also labeled as “cliones” and was discovered in 2005 by the Census of Marine Life at about 1,148 feet under the ocean. The sea angel is actually a naked snail.


    The Yeti Crab is new to science and belongs to a new family of crustaceans. It is related to lobsters, crabs and shrimps. The hairlike setae provides a nutritional source and hosts mats of chemosynthetic bacteria. The Yeti crab is also apart of the Kiwaidae family.


    The Young Ice Fish has no red blood cells and it’s blood is filled with anti-freeze. The unique underwater creature is adapted to the cold waters of Antarctica continental shelf where it resides.


    The vampire squid shares similarities with the squid and octopus. It is a deep sea cephalopod found throughout the tropical oceans in the world. The phylogenetic relict is the only known survivor of it’s order, Vampyromorphida.


    The deformed looking fish washed up on the Brazilian beach. It’s fins appear to be a cross between legs and wings making it one bizarre discovery. The “Longnose Batfish” uses it’s strong pectoral and pelvic as hands and feet. It is a poor swimmer.


    The albino, and one eyed shark was first discovered as a fetus inside of it’s mother in the Sea of Cortez. Many questioned the legitimacy of this cyclops shark but scientist have confirmed it is real. Thanks to a congenital condition called “cyclopia”, the 22 inch long fetus has one eyed in the front of his head.

    Friday, May 30, 2014

    SOME ANIMAL MATING RITUALS YOU HAVEN'T HEARD OF

    The Cuttlefish Mating Ritual

    1. Cuttlefish are sea mollusks that resemble squids. Their camouflaging abilities of color changes for protection also help in attracting females. The male dominated cuttlefish population results in a constant battle for a single female’s attention. However size is of no consequence and the intelligent ones succeed by disguising themselves as females to maneuver through clusters of males towards an unsuspecting female. They will hide their additional arm used as a sperm dispenser. Some fish also have the ability to appear as half male and half female to ward off rivals.


  • The Water Strider Mating Ritual

    1. The water strider may be an insignificant little water fly, but when it comes to mating, the male is very demanding. Without any ritualistic dance or attraction he will climb atop the female expecting her to give in immediately. If she fails to do so he attempts to kill her by rippling the water to attract a predator towards her. He will only stop the rippling activity if she gives in. The female’s singular ability to fertilize eggs produced throughout a lifespan makes her disinterested in mating. It is only due to the male’s threats that they do so.


  • The Albatross Bird Mating Ritual
    1. The cartoon like mating ritual of the albatross birds involves movements with their bills mimicking a sort of sword fencing fight. However these birds are totally monogamous preferring the company of each other lifelong. Throughout their 50 year lifespan, they will breed with the same partner every year. The bill dance is a major vocal event with a lot of clucking and cackling noise unique to the pair involved. With time the ritual gets subdued and lessens with age similar to the marital relationships of human beings.


  • Sea Horses Mating Rituals

    1. Sea horses tend to behave in the same way as humans where mating and attraction is concerned. Before a couple can actually mate they will meet every day to engage in social activity and intimacy. In perfect synchronization, they will swim, entwine their tails, and move along with each other. A perfectly romantic process, leads to the female carefully placing her eggs in the abdominal pouch of the male. Here the male is the pregnant partner, weird but true. Once the babies are born they are abandoned on their own and the male looks for a new female again


  • The Prairie Voles Mating Ritual

    1. It is surprising to learn that prairie voles actually provide scientists with a case study for observing human bonding and why some tend to be promiscuous. Prairie voles due to their high content of natural neurochemical receptors like vasopressin and oxytocin are ensured of a strong bonding with their partners. Although some do tend t have affairs with other voles, in general they will remain faithful with one partner throughout their lifespan. The same partners will remain with each other raising several litters throughout the year.


  • The Puffer Fish Mating Ritual

    1. The puffer fish is truly artistic in his mating attempts. This little 12 cm fish will go to great lengths to decorate the ocean floor over an area of 2 meters in a circled pattern using coral and shells. This artwork nest takes about 12 days after which the female lays eggs within the center of the circled design. The elaborate designs are reflective of the strength of the male puffer which is what attracts the female. These designs have intrigued scientists in earlier years until a live photographed act revealed the designs as the work of the little puffer.


  • The Quoll Mating Ritual

    1. The Quoll is a little marsupial found in the Australian region. Their size and innocence however is in extreme contrast to their aggressive mating. When the female is ready to mate, the male will copulate with such violent force that the female may be lucky to survive the process with just cuts and bruises. In some cases the male ends up killing his partner in the act or he is shunned by her. However what’s weird is that he may also end up killing himself due to exhaustive multiple attempts of mating and fighting other males.


  • The Flamingo Mating Ritual

    1. When flamingoes mate it is an enjoyable dance in perfect synchronization involving the entire community. Akin to a well-choreographed chorus line, the birds will strut, stretch, puff and swivel about in perfect unison. Preceding every ritual, the males will oil themselves all over through secretions from a gland on the tail. This oil is also a protective cover from natural elements. It is believed that the female chooses a mate by close observation of the male who mirrors her actions best.


  • The Bower bird Mating Ritual

    1. The male bower bird is all class and sophistication when it comes to impressing his female. In order to attract her he will build a perfect beautiful nest complete with uniform design. Even the entrance will be a decorative arch lined with colorful objects. The perfection is reflective in the placement of objects that ensure the illusion of objects appearing uniform in size to the female. The nest building process is the main activity of the bower bird and it usually the more experienced older birds that get the female.


  • The Scorpion Mating Ritual

    1. The mating ritual of scorpions may seem a lively dance, but in effect, the wild aggressive actions initiated by the male are actually a defense mechanism to protect against the female’s bizarre nature of trying to devour his head first. Scorpions mate on moonless nights with the male hovering around the female a good 20 minutes. He then clasps the female’s pincers with his in order to restrain her and then deposits a spermatophore containing sperm on the surface of the ground. The female then absorbs the sperm into herself.

  • Tuesday, May 27, 2014

    10 DEADLIEST ANIMALS IN THE WORLD

    We humans are constantly putting in efforts to make a better and safer life for ourselves, but the world remains a dangerous place. As for wild animals, what determines their danger level might not necessarily be size.
    We may think of some of these animals as friendly or harmless, but sometimes even “friendly” or docile-seeming species can become dangerous if provoked.
    Here is a list of the top 10 most dangerous animals on earth, beginning with number 10.

    Thursday, May 15, 2014

    A FEMALE PIG

    An adult female or mother pig is called a sow. If the pig is a virgin or has not given birth, she is called a gilt. A gilt is usually less than a year old. A young female pig is reproductively mature around the age of eight months. Sows typically give birth to eight or nine piglets with each litter, with some litters having as many as 12 piglets. If there are more piglets born in a litter, they are usually smaller. Once the piglets are born, the mother and babies are separated into their own stalls to prevent the sow from accidentally lying on or rolling over one of her piglets.

    Farm Images

    Cows

    LIVESTOCK(farm animals)

    Livestock are domesticated animals raised in a farm setting, these animals are raised for so many reasons and some of these reasons are for food, profit and labour. Animals are domesticated when their breeding and living condition is controlled by HUMAN. Livestock are also referred to as FARM ANIMALS, some of the farm animals we are going to be dealing with are pigs, goats, sheeps, fishes and poultry birds, we might come across some other farm animals as we go on. Livestock are generally raised for profit. Raising animals ( animal husbandry) is a component of modern agriculture. It has been practiced in many cultures since the transition to farming from hunter-gather lifestyles. Livestock production can be a very great source of income but it takes time, patience and coordination. Everything that is good has its own enemy, same implies to these animals, they have a great enemy known has DISEASES, it can either be air-borne or water-borne, when this diseases attack the animals it causes great damage to them either internally or externally leading to an unhealthy farm, and might even cause death for the animal if not given appropriate attention. Some of these diseases are COCCIDIOSIS in poultry birds, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE in goats and sheeps, AFRICAN SWINE FEVER in pigs and many more. As tough as these diseases may be they also have cures, but we shall be looking at that in our subsequent articles.