The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: macvity on March 21, 2013, 05:59:49 pm

Title: castrating lambs
Post by: macvity on March 21, 2013, 05:59:49 pm

hi.do i castrate lambs for freezer or not.is it better to leave them will they fatten better with out casteration.thanks

Title: Re: castrating lambs
Post by: colliewoman on March 21, 2013, 06:03:53 pm

How much of a nuisance will they be if we have a poor year and they aren't fat before your females come a tupping? If you have spare ground enough to keep them well away then you should be fine to leave them, but if you rely on them being gone before being able to serve your ewes then I would castrate them :)

Title: Re: castrating lambs
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on March 21, 2013, 06:38:29 pm

I do mine as my Shetlands are kept over a winter before they go off. One year I didn't and I, and my fencing, regretted it. I see it as the exchange they make for having double the length of happy life and TBH tho it is stressful to me trying to ensure I have done it right, the lambs themselves have skipped off happily and none the worse for it.

Title: Re: castrating lambs
Post by: macvity on March 21, 2013, 07:25:47 pm

thank you for your reply.i will leave them so with there goods.they will be in one place.with as much fresh lawn grass as they can eat.i cut lots of private lawns so i bring all grass home so they can eat all the want.i dont think you can get much better eating than lawn grass with clover.i also store this grass in barrels for the winter its nice feed for the winter.

Title: Re: castrating lambs
Post by: Cosmo on March 21, 2013, 07:29:42 pm

Sounds a great system hope all goes well for you.