The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: perkhar on July 07, 2019, 11:44:12 pm

Title: Dead weight of a cheviot lamb
Post by: perkhar on July 07, 2019, 11:44:12 pm

Hi guys quick question anyone know the average dead weight of a cheviot lamb. Born April killing in December. Our slaughter charges are quite high this part of the world so want to know what I need to charge per kg to cover costs and make my profit.
Thanks in advanced

Title: Re: Dead weight of a cheviot lamb
Post by: twizzel on July 08, 2019, 08:33:36 am

Lambs tend to kill out better at the start of the season and then the percentage drops as the season goes on and the lamb gets older. At the moment expect 50% kill out so basically half of Liveweight. Also depends on how the lamb is cut- boned and rolled joints you’ll lose the bone weight, and hanging time- they lose weight as they hang.


So it all depends on a variety of things, whether your lamb is 40kg as it walks into the abattoir or 70kg. Don’t be focused on the month you want to kill it, it ought to go when it’s ready and fit.

Title: Re: Dead weight of a cheviot lamb
Post by: bj_cardiff on July 08, 2019, 12:33:01 pm

Its a how long is a piece of string question I'm afraid.

Dependant on the weight of the lamb in december, which will be dependant on when you wean, how good your grazing is, worming program etc etc. It sounds like your trying to pre-sell the lamb before its been sent for slaughter, which IMO is quite risky. You want your customers to be happy and buy from you again, so you really don't want to over or undercharge.

Title: Re: Dead weight of a cheviot lamb
Post by: perkhar on July 13, 2019, 10:25:30 am

Cheers for the replies it was just to get a idea on percentage of weight loss. I have been breeding cheviots for a few years now and have never thought about the dead weight to live weight ratio of my lambs. Most were sent to the Local sale years gone by and sold per head and the odd home kill. Stupidly in the moment I have never weighed the animal before and after. Which would have given me my answer.

Title: Re: Dead weight of a cheviot lamb
Post by: harmony on July 13, 2019, 12:29:16 pm

Around 50% falling a bit as time goes on. Get them to 40kg.

Title: Re: Dead weight of a cheviot lamb
Post by: bj_cardiff on July 13, 2019, 07:53:17 pm

I'd expect a 40kg lamb to have a deadweight of 17.5 - 20kg. That's what mine were when I used to send lambs and get them back. Although saying that I didn't have a scales so the 40kg I sent them as was a guess! 

Title: Re: Dead weight of a cheviot lamb
Post by: perkhar on July 16, 2019, 05:38:46 pm

Thanks again guys 45% to 50% I'll work on as an average