The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: OhLaLa on February 28, 2011, 04:01:15 pm
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So, the ram has arrived. Our sheep fields are in sight of each other (t'other side of fence). Opinions on whether we should also keep a wether please.
:sheep:
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I have a couple and they keep the rams company if they are seperated from the ewes
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I have always had one about the place....usually a very friendly chap. Very useful for keeping youngstock company and teaching them to get penned and in trailer as he will lead. Useful for keeping sick or old sheep company, v useful as companion for rams.......and I just like having the odd one about!
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Even though your ram is just a fence away from the ewes he would probably prefer a companion of his own. It's not essential in those circumstances, but without one he might try to jump through. Some people recommend a barren ewe - but I've never had a barren ewe ??? Fortunately I have lots of males so it's never a problem.
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We have Dickie (no deliberate irony in the name ;D). He keeps Leo company, then goes in with the tup lambs when they are weaned and brings them all over to be checked. He's very tame and eats hardly anything. And I like him ;D
I wouldn't like to keep Leo on his own, so Dickie pays his way.
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As the majority of my shetland wethers go to the freezer at about 18 months I always have some wethers about. It is extra hay/haylage and some (only a little) feed over the winter, but also means I can tak ethe tup out without worrying about him (not all my fields are in sight of each other - fortunately, stops the boy mooching at the side of the fence for hours on end),, and I can keep female hogglambs and ewes together in one big field.
also am biased - I think hogget and/or mutton is just miles better meat than lamb!
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Anke, You are so right about hogget & mutton,I usually have a few wethers about the place but have one pet called Shawn, [The kids named him] and he is all that has been already mentioned. I would allways have a wether about.
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We have a couple of wethers for mutton and they run with the ewes - no problem so far!