The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Azzdodd on September 13, 2015, 08:58:40 am
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Well the ewes went in with the teaser ram for 14 days took him out ram went in Tuesday raddled an ready sort of just walked out into the field no sniffin or anything no ewes marked. Observing as you do at this time of year there isn't much going on no licking no lip curling...I always trust the ram to know when there in season. But something didn't seem right so I thought I would lend a tup lamb from a friend see if some competition Spurs him on. Nothing the tup lamb actually served 2 ewes yesterday! Ram is in great condition feet are good dosed to date crovated to date....not sure what's up?
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Has he performed for you in the past?
How old is he?
Did he challenge the new ram?
Has he been smelling musky or getting a bit frustrated prior to tupping as any rams do at this time of year ( one of mine takes to head butting low hanging branches. )
His complete lack of lip curling / tongue waving, sniffing etc would suggest no / low sexual drive
Did you give him an mot?
Its a good idea to prep rams about 6 weeks before tupping. Trimming feet, checking their parts. Feeding them up or trimming them down. A good 4 in 1 ram bucket can certainly help with fertility for older rams.
It could be physical as in sore feet, bad back, respiratory problems etc but I would have at least expected some sniffing and lip rolling if his spirit was willing but his flesh was weak. :thinking:
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Had a complete mot feet teeth testicals he's in the best condition he could be in I think that's why he went out...ram lamb went In 2 ewes come over to him he licked a little then bang right on.
Has worked for me an a friend last year
He stinks like a ram but I don't know
After an hour he come down an started to push the ram lamb around he is a fair size (about 170kg) but nothing more than a shuv
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Are you sure the ram lamb served the ewes? It's still quite early for tupping and some of my older ram lambs will cheerfully jump everything in sight including each other - mounting can be dominance behaviour as well as mating. My senior rams aren't yet squaring up to each other or showing any interest in the nanny ewe that's in with the lambs in the adjoining field.
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seasoned ram not wasting his energy on ewes not in heat. Ram lamb all over the girls whether they are receptive or not?
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You don't say if this is the normal time you put the ram out ? did you see the teaser jump any thing ? While it shouldn't stop him working ,from your comments you make him out to be overfit ?
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Teaser went in normal time well 1 week earlier as it happens so maybe that. Teaser didn't mount any but they don't always it's them just being there usually enough. 1 ewe definalty took the ram she backed up an stood....I supposed only time will tell
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As you say time will tell , and since you have the ram lamb as well then all should be ok
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Prefer the mature ram to fire cause I kept his daughter this year an wanted to next year aswell typical really
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My rams are starting to fight and establish dominance, theyre just a fence from the girls now, but the mounting hasnt started yet which I tend to take as a few weeks after scrapping and means they up and running. From past experience, Cracking rams may just not be ready yet - had rams not able to perform until later in Oct, but then get everything they look at, even neighbours mules, in lamb.