The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Bishybarneybee on April 14, 2023, 10:33:58 am

Title: Re introducing last year's lambs to flock
Post by: Bishybarneybee on April 14, 2023, 10:33:58 am

I have two ewe lambs born last year and now about 14 months. I am keeping them to breed from later this year.

Can I re introduce them to my small flock (9 ewes that includes their mums) now, or do I need to wait until this year's lambs are weaned? The youngest lambs are almost 4 weeks old and the oldest about 7 weeks.

It would make pasture management easier if they could rejoin the flock but I'm not sure if it's likely to cause any problems as I've never done this before. Has anyone any experience of this?

Title: Re: Re introducing last year's lambs to flock
Post by: SallyintNorth on April 14, 2023, 10:40:08 am

I always run the ewe hoggs with this year's lambs, from when the youngest lamb is about two weeks old.  It's a big help if the maidens have got used to young lambs before they're in the lambing field themselves.  (Inexperienced gimmers can sometimes get a bit silly with all the hormones as lambs are being born, and I have had damage caused in the past, with gimmers charging about.  Since I started putting the ewe hoggs in with the babies, I have had far fewer problems.) 

Title: Re: Re introducing last year's lambs to flock
Post by: twizzel on April 14, 2023, 10:56:32 am

I always run my ewe hoggs with the ewes and lambs for 6 weeks when they’re back home from winter keep, for shearing/blood testing and vaccinating.

Title: Re: Re introducing last year's lambs to flock
Post by: Fleecewife on April 14, 2023, 03:27:37 pm

Those ewes for breeding are taken out of the flock for 4 weeks of tupping, otherwise our females are together all the time. We find that last years ewe lambs are fascinated by new lambs being born and love to play with them. (Soays are a different matter as they can be aggressive to birthing ewes)
We love for our sheep to live in family groups as they would naturally, with several generations together.
All male sheep above 4 months are kept together in a field across the road and are only with breeding ewes for 4 weeks.  They can call to them though, but tup lambs very soon lose interest in their dams.

Title: Re: Re introducing last year's lambs to flock
Post by: Bishybarneybee on April 14, 2023, 04:12:57 pm

Thank you very much for your replies, it sounds like a good way forward then.  :thumbsup:

I hadn't thought about the maiden ewes learning some lamb care when joining the mums and lambs. It sounds like an additional bonus.