The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: crobertson on October 06, 2017, 11:58:04 pm

Title: How often to feed rams ??
Post by: crobertson on October 06, 2017, 11:58:04 pm

Quick question on how much and how often to feed rams in the run up to tupping.

Our newly brought derbyshire gritstone ram is around condition score 3, he won't be used extensively but as we sponge our ewes he will need to serve around 12-14 in a very short period of time so sperm quality needs to be very good.
I've started feeding him ram course mix once a day but our previous tup was a pain once he knew what hard feed was and would barge and shove and became a pain around food. The new ram has soon cottoned on to the feeding regime and wondered how much or how often others feed their rams in the run up to tupping and whether they have any issues or how they feed !

Title: Re: How often to feed rams ??
Post by: Backinwellies on October 07, 2017, 07:38:30 am

At cs3. And only a few ewes he wouldn't get any extra here.

Title: Re: How often to feed rams ??
Post by: Sbom on October 07, 2017, 08:50:14 am

My tups get no extra feed and do the job just fine. Like you say, an over enthusiastic tup is a dangerous thing

Title: Re: How often to feed rams ??
Post by: crobertson on October 07, 2017, 09:32:03 am

Thanks for that and yes I don't want to create a problem as he isn't fussed around food at the min! Just got him used to feed in a bucket so it will be easy to raddle him so I might drop all feed now.

Title: Re: How often to feed rams ??
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 07, 2017, 09:45:59 am

Rams, boars, bulls - I prefer 'em lean and keen.  If your soil is deficient it any mineral it might be worth considering a drench but this would probably have been better done a couple of months ago.