Pakistan's Eid-ul-Adha Livestock Market
One of the largest livestock trading events in the world — happening every year across Pakistan.
Timing Is Everything
Eid date varies each year. Plan backwards: 90-day programme = buy animals 95–100 days before Eid. 60-day programme = buy 65–70 days before. Use the Islamic lunar calendar for planning.
Key Markets
Sargodha, Sahiwal, Okara, Mandi Bahauddin, Dera Ismail Khan (KPK), Sukkur (Sindh), Quetta (Balochistan). Urban Eid bazaars in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad command 20–30% higher prices.
Price Dynamics
Prices peak 7–10 days before Eid. Last 2–3 days before Eid, prices drop as unsold animals become a liability. Sell in the 7–3 day window before Eid for best returns.
Legal Compliance
Animals for Eid slaughter must be of prescribed age and free of major defects. FMD vaccination is mandatory in most provinces before animals can be transported to urban centres.
Choose Your Fattening Animal
Breed selection determines your profit ceiling. Match animal to your target market.
| Breed | Start Weight | Target Weight | ADG Potential | Market Appeal | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HF / F1 Crossbred Bull | 250–300 kg | 450–550 kg | 1.2–1.5 kg/day | Very high (urban) | Urban Eid bazaars, high-income buyers |
| Sahiwal Bull | 200–250 kg | 380–450 kg | 0.9–1.2 kg/day | High (premium breed) | Traditional buyers, premium market |
| Cholistani / Tharparkar | 180–220 kg | 340–400 kg | 0.7–0.9 kg/day | High (local) | Rural markets, local tradition |
| Brahman / Bhagnari | 280–350 kg | 500–600 kg | 1.0–1.3 kg/day | Very high (large size) | Buyers wanting large, impressive bulls |
| Rams / Goats (Beetal, Teddy) | 25–35 kg | 50–70 kg | 0.2–0.35 kg/day | High (lower budget) | Middle-income buyers, apartment residents |
The 90-Day Fattening Programme
Three distinct phases — each with different feed, targets, and management focus.
Phase 1 Days 1–30
ADG: 0.5–0.7 kg/day
Feed: Bhoosa + green fodder (berseem/silage). Concentrate 1–2 kg/day only. High-roughage diet.
Management: Adaptation. Reduce stress. Deworm. Vaccinate. Establish routine. Weigh on Day 1 and Day 30.
Phase 2 Days 31–60
ADG: 1.0–1.3 kg/day
Feed: Concentrate 4–6 kg/day. Roughage 5–7 kg/day. Molasses for palatability. Add bicarb if needed.
Management: Intensive growth phase. Weigh fortnightly. Monitor for bloat, diarrhoea. Adjust feed if ADG below target.
Phase 3 Days 61–90
ADG: 1.2–1.5 kg/day
Feed: Peak concentrate 6–8 kg/day. Maintain roughage. Add bypass fat 200g. Vitamin AD3E injection.
Management: Finishing. BCS target 4.0–4.5. Groom coat. Train for handling. Final weight check Day 85. Price estimate.
High-Energy Fattening Ration
For intensive Phase 2 and Phase 3 — a 400 kg bull targeting 1.2 kg/day ADG.
Daily Ration (As-Fed)
| Ingredient | kg/day | Cost (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat Straw (bhoosa) | 4 kg | 24 |
| Maize Silage / Green fodder | 8 kg | 48 |
| Maize Grain | 3 kg | 195 |
| Cottonseed Cake | 2 kg | 150 |
| Wheat Bran | 1.5 kg | 60 |
| Molasses | 0.5 kg | 20 |
| Mineral mixture | 0.1 kg | 10 |
| Sodium Bicarb | 0.1 kg | 7 |
| TOTAL | ~19 kg | Rs 514/day |
Bloat Prevention Rules
Health Management & Halal Compliance
A sick animal before Eid is a financial disaster. Prevention is mandatory.
| Intervention | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FMD Vaccination | On arrival + booster if >3 months ago | Must be done at least 21 days before sale — transport permit requires proof |
| Deworming (Albendazole/Ivermectin) | Day 1 of programme | Parasites steal 10–15% of feed value — deworming pays for itself immediately |
| Vitamin AD3E Injection | Day 1, then Day 60 | Supports immune function, coat quality, and feed conversion |
| Liver Fluke Prevention | If endemic area — Day 1 | Triclabendazole for mixed fluke infections. Liver damage = poor weight gain |
| Hoof Trimming | Day 1 and before sale | Lame animals eat less and gain poorly. Clean hooves before market presentation |
| Daily Temperature Check | Days 1–14 especially | Normal: 38.5–39.5°C. Above 40°C = fever, call vet. Early illness detection saves the animal. |
Halal Compliance Before Eid
All antibiotic and dewormer withdrawal periods must be complete before the slaughter date. Meat withdrawal periods differ by product and formulation — some long-acting antibiotics and ivermectin injections need around a month or longer — so always follow the product label and your vet's advice. Growth hormones (steroids) are banned in Pakistan food animals. Record every treatment in HerdManager.co: each medicine can carry a withdrawal period, and the app shows a daily withdrawal alert until the safe date.
Pricing & Selling Your Eid Animal
How buyers price animals — and how to present yours for maximum value.
Live Weight Estimate
Buyers use the girth formula: (Girth in cm)² × Body Length in cm ÷ 10,840 = live weight in kg. A 400 kg bull with Rs 750/kg live weight = Rs 300,000. Know your animal's estimated weight before negotiating.
Breed & Presentation Premium
Buyers pay 15–25% premium for: impressive horns, clean coat, good body condition (BCS 4.0–4.5), calm temperament, clearly defined breed characteristics. Grooming investment of Rs 500 can add Rs 15,000–25,000 to sale price.
When to Sell
Sell 7–3 days before Eid — peak demand, buyers are serious. Last 2–3 days before Eid, unsold animals are your liability and prices drop 10–20%. Early sellers (10+ days before) miss the price peak.
Digital Sales Channels
OLX Pakistan, Facebook Livestock groups, WhatsApp community groups. Post professional photos showing full body, head, and horn clearly. State weight estimate, breed, vaccination status, and asking price. Urban buyers increasingly prefer verified sellers.
10-Animal Fattening P&L Example
What does a 10-bull, 90-day Eid fattening operation look like financially?
| Item | Per Animal | 10 Animals |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price (250 kg crossbred bull) | Rs 175,000 | Rs 1,750,000 |
| Feed cost (90 days × Rs 500/day) | Rs 45,000 | Rs 450,000 |
| Veterinary (vaccines, deworm, vitamin) | Rs 3,500 | Rs 35,000 |
| Labour & overhead (share) | Rs 4,000 | Rs 40,000 |
| Transport (purchase + sale) | Rs 2,500 | Rs 25,000 |
| TOTAL COST | Rs 230,000 | Rs 2,300,000 |
| Sale price (340 kg × Rs 900/kg Eid rate) | Rs 306,000 | Rs 3,060,000 |
| NET PROFIT | Rs 76,000 | Rs 760,000 |
| Return on Investment | 33% | 33% |
* Assumes an average gain of about 1.0 kg/day for 90 days (250 kg → 340 kg), buying at about Rs 700/kg live and selling at about Rs 900/kg in the Eid market. At Rs 750/kg the same bull sells for Rs 255,000 and profit drops to about Rs 25,000 — the Eid rate matters as much as weight gain. Actual results vary by breed, management, and Eid timing.
Track Every Animal with HerdManager.co
HerdManager.co is built for dairy herds and has no dedicated Qurbani module, but its weight, health and feed records work for fattening steers and bulls too.
Weight Records
Record weights for any animal, including steers and male calves, and export weight-gain reports showing each animal's gain between weighings.
Feed Cost per Animal
Keep fattening animals in their own pen with a feed plan to see an estimated daily feed cost per animal, with feed drawn down from your stock records.
Treatment Log & Withdrawal Alerts
Record treatments and medicines given. Each medicine can carry a withdrawal period, and the app shows a daily withdrawal alert until the safe date. It holds one period per medicine, so check the meat withdrawal on the label.
Vaccination & Deworming Reminders
In-app reminders when vaccinations and deworming are due or overdue, so FMD shots are done well before sale.
Animal Profiles
Keep each animal's tag, breed, photo, weights and treatment history on its profile — handy when a buyer asks about vaccinations and health.
Works on Your Phone
Use it in any phone browser and add it to your home screen. It needs an internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Manage Every Qurbani Animal Professionally
Weights, treatments, withdrawal alerts and vaccination reminders — kept in one place with HerdManager.co.