The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: OhLaLa on September 28, 2011, 05:10:52 pm

Title: Eating a Ram Lamb
Post by: OhLaLa on September 28, 2011, 05:10:52 pm

I've heard conflicting opinions, which is correct?

1) A ram lamb (appx 1 year old) makes for good eating
2) A ram lamb that has tupped has a tainted flavour meat

Thanks in advance
 :farmer:  :sheep:

Title: Re: Eating a Ram Lamb
Post by: andywalt on September 28, 2011, 05:26:32 pm

As I understand it (so could be wrong) your right on both questions, its good eating but only before its tupped, the meat taints afterwards....please correct me if im wrong people !!!

Title: Re: Eating a Ram Lamb
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on September 28, 2011, 06:45:26 pm

Have eaten a 1+ yo ram lamb and he was delicious and no stronger than the other Shetland wethers.

Havent tried a tup tho.....

Title: Re: Eating a Ram Lamb
Post by: mmu on September 28, 2011, 08:14:03 pm

I hope you're right, I'm just about to send one away!

Title: Re: Eating a Ram Lamb
Post by: raygezer on September 28, 2011, 09:29:27 pm

Hi there in January this year we had a ram of 2yrs old surplus to requirements so we had him for the freezer ,it was i think a better taste as long as it was cooked nice and slow hot pots and stews . :thumbsup: probably do it again in January 2012 ,enjoy

Title: Re: Eating a Ram Lamb
Post by: ScotsGirl on September 28, 2011, 09:33:40 pm

As long as you don't kill a ram during tupping season there should be no taint.  My friend sent her ram off a month or so ago and he has tupped the ewes for at least 2 seasons and she said he tasted great!

Title: Re: Eating a Ram Lamb
Post by: jaykay on September 28, 2011, 09:34:47 pm

talking to the lady I'm buying some Shetlands from, they eat entire tups at 2 years old - she said the critical thing about taint was when you sent them to th butchers - just NOT during tipping season apparently.

Ha , just cross-posted with ScotsGirl who is saying the same thing :)

Title: Re: Eating a Ram Lamb
Post by: andywalt on September 29, 2011, 11:04:08 am

thats great and clarified it for me too, I have one surplus to requirements so I will do the same, he has never tupped. It must be a hormone ? does anyone have any detail as to what  changes the taste?

Title: Re: Eating a Ram Lamb
Post by: VSS on September 29, 2011, 11:49:45 am

Quote from: ScotsGirl on September 28, 2011, 09:33:40 pm

As long as you don't kill a ram during tupping season there should be no taint

This is the key thing - wait until the spring to send him in.

Title: Re: Eating a Ram Lamb
Post by: andywalt on September 30, 2011, 09:06:41 pm

Heres another question.......

if the ram lamb is seperate from any females, say in the next field,..... would he get taint then?