Indian Journal of Small Ruminants (The)

Analysis of management and marketing pattern of Mecheri sheep showed that the average flock size in the district was 48.0±10.6 sheep. The sale size was up to 50 lambs per year and marketing was done mainly through middlemen and weekly livestock markets. The average sale price of lamb and adult sheep was 2608.0±298.0 and 5767.0±192.0, respectively. Since sheep farming provided considerable income and employment to different categories of farmers and the density of sheep is more in this district, proper steps have to be taken to revive the “Korangadu” pastureland so that the animals can get sufficient nutritious fodder at less cost. Training of farmers on scientific feeding and management of sheep flock as well as improvement in health care delivery system are the need of the study area. An organised marketing channel can solve the problems of fluctuations in marketing price. Government agencies and NGOs may promote organised market for the benefit of both producer as well as consumer.