The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: garden cottage on April 04, 2009, 03:39:55 pm

Title: redundant breeding ram what to do?
Post by: garden cottage on April 04, 2009, 03:39:55 pm

Hello all, our first ryeland lamb appeared today, really big ewe lamb so the ram we borrowed is obviously producing the goods. Dillema is this our original breeding ram that came with the flock seems to be firing blanks, he did do 1 year of  breeding but since then no good. If we slaughter him will the meat have a bad taste or taint because hes a full ram or what, hes now 4yrs old pure ryeland any advise welcome..............neil

Title: Re: redundant breeding ram what to do?
Post by: doganjo on April 04, 2009, 05:14:35 pm

Can someone explain this to me please.  I had never heard of meat being tainted before until I read it on here in another thread.  I only have experience of game and poultry and it doesn't make any difference there.  In fact they say game is better hung for up to three weeks, I prefer to cook it within 24 hours.

Title: Re: redundant breeding ram what to do?
Post by: woollyval on April 04, 2009, 09:25:14 pm

If a ram is slaughtered in the breeding season he can taste very 'gamey' however if he is slaughtered now and cooked carefully he will make some ggo mince, burgers and sausages!

Title: Re: redundant breeding ram what to do?
Post by: hexhammeasure on April 05, 2009, 08:55:25 pm

we have started selling 'entire' (uncastrated) tup hoggs butchered and boxed as apparently people that buy from us prefer the stronger taste but, as mentioned by tws, older rams in breeding season do get a musty flavour

Title: Re: redundant breeding ram what to do?
Post by: garden cottage on April 06, 2009, 08:32:57 pm

thanks wooly :P