[patrickr]

HI All

Just coming to end of lambing (Shetland Ewes with a Shetland Tup) and we've got about an equal share of ewe and ram lambs.  We're first timers (and so were the ewes!) so a fair share of excitement all round!  So far we've been wethering the rams; mainly because that seems the simplest option.  The conundrum is: we'd like a nice ram for the next season's lambing.  So our dilemma:

1) keep rams.  Might be too late now!  The question here is: what do you look for and how do you see it in a lamb that is less than 7 days old?!?  Then there's needing an area to keep him/them outside tupping time + keeping him away from the mother during breeding / avoiding inbreeding?  Or is inbreeding to be avoided? 
2) borrow a ram - which we did this year
3) buy a ram.  But again, we haven't much of a clue on what do you look for in a ram; conformity etc.

Any advice on these options, gratefully received.  Or any links to any resources on breeding, online, books etc.

Thank you!

[Fleecewife]

Are you a member of the Shetland Sheep Society?  There's endless info about Ram selection there.


Basically you can't decide if a lamb will turn out to be a good breeding flock sire when he's only a few days old, or even a few months old.  You can see that he has promise, but that's not quite the same thing.
When we kept Shetlands, we just castrated all our male lambs and bought in tups from well known flocks.  There are all sorts of criteria to look at when choosing a tup such as conformation, lineage, mouth, amazing fleece, testicles, strong back, good feet, majestic stance etc etc.  As beginners you have no hope of deciding if your own lambs are suitable.  Add in that any one you choose will be related at least to his mother but also to all the other lambs if you used one tup, then you are far better to buy in a tup for next breeding season.  In the meantime, go to every show with Shetlands there that you can, watch which do well and try to work out why, for yourself, then start speaking to those showing.  Shetland sheep owners are always desperate to point out their own animal's good points so you will learn plenty.  Expect it to take a few years before you can pick out the Champion before the judging 

[patrickr]

Are you a member of the Shetland Sheep Society?  There's endless info about Ram selection there.


Basically you can't decide if a lamb will turn out to be a good breeding flock sire when he's only a few days old, or even a few months old.  You can see that he has promise, but that's not quite the same thing.
When we kept Shetlands, we just castrated all our male lambs and bought in tups from well known flocks.  There are all sorts of criteria to look at when choosing a tup such as conformation, lineage, mouth, amazing fleece, testicles, strong back, good feet, majestic stance etc etc.  As beginners you have no hope of deciding if your own lambs are suitable.  Add in that any one you choose will be related at least to his mother but also to all the other lambs if you used one tup, then you are far better to buy in a tup for next breeding season.  In the meantime, go to every show with Shetlands there that you can, watch which do well and try to work out why, for yourself, then start speaking to those showing.  Shetland sheep owners are always desperate to point out their own animal's good points so you will learn plenty.  Expect it to take a few years before you can pick out the Champion before the judging 

Hi

Yes, we're joining the Shetland Breed Society as we speak!  And, as you say, they have lots of useful info on the website.  We'll start reading through.  We definitely need to get to know the breed better.  Thank you for your advice.  All makes alot of sense.  We'll start by buying in a ram.  Maybe after a few years of learning we might raise a ram or two and sell them as breeding rams.  Thanks again.