The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: B Smith on December 30, 2017, 05:05:49 pm

Title: Ram in with ewe Lambs from late winter?
Post by: B Smith on December 30, 2017, 05:05:49 pm: Hello

I'm new to keeping sheep and learning as I go along... This year we bought 5 older ewes, 5 ewe lambs and one ram lamb (all Welsh black mountain sheep). The Ram has been in with the older ewes since October and I've had the ewe lambs in a separate field to avoid unwanted pregnancies. We only have limited grazing and it would be helpful to have them all in together. Am i right in thinking that as the days are now getting longer the ewe lambs wont come into season and therefor its safe to put them back in with the rest of the flock (inc the ram)?

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Ben
Title: Re: Ram in with ewe Lambs from late winter?
Post by: Foobar on January 02, 2018, 10:01:52 am: No, not yet. Don't put the ram in with the ewe lambs until ... Feb/March.
Title: Re: Ram in with ewe Lambs from late winter?
Post by: SallyintNorth on January 02, 2018, 11:03:49 am: Quote from: Foobar on January 02, 2018, 10:01:52 am
No, not yet. Don't put the ram in with the ewe lambs until ... Feb/March.

And even then, you have to be able to deal with any (very rare except with certain breeds, but possible) July babies ;).
Title: Re: Ram in with ewe Lambs from late winter?
Post by: Anke on January 02, 2018, 01:25:24 pm: I wouldn't, get him either a wether companion for the summer in a separate field (if you are desperate to use him again next autumn) or eat him and get a new one in autumn...
Title: Re: Ram in with ewe Lambs from late winter?
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 02, 2018, 02:49:17 pm: My rams are kept entirely separate from the females outside 18 days tupping.
Title: Re: Ram in with ewe Lambs from late winter?
Post by: bj_cardiff on January 03, 2018, 02:14:48 pm: I'd leave it until March/April before introducing the ram to the ewe lambs as they could come into season, or his presence could stimulate them and bring them into season. Not worth the risk