[OhLaLa]

Our young lad has discovered tupping. One lass covered in raddle so it's looking like we will be lambing in Jan.

Can anyone give more info re the other girls in the flock - he hasn't touched them - do they wander in/out of season (until successfully tupped), how frequently?

We have just one 2011 girl in there and don't want her lambing, what is the likelihood of her coming into season?

Any info re ram behaviour welcome. Thanks.

 

[VSS]

Sheep come into season every 21 days during the breeding season. I would think it unlikely that a ewe lamb will be coming into season just yet. Female lambs should not be put in lamb unless they are at least 60% of their adult weight at tupping time.

[Dougal]

I've always worked to a 17 day cycle rather than 21,will have to investigate whether I'm wrong again  . The ewe lamb will come into season but most likely not until october. different breeds are more active breeders as ewe lambs than others, most down breeds, mules and shetlands seem to love holding to the tup while continentals are slightly more reserved when it comes to becoming intimate. Traditional hill breeds tend to only hold on rare occasions and then usually quite late in the season.

[SallyintNorth]

I've always worked to a 17 day cycle rather than 21,will have to investigate whether I'm wrong again  .

No, 17 days is more usual, I think.  Maybe some breeds are different?

Congratulations, OhLaLa.  (I have assumed that since the boy was wearing raddle, you were hoping he would start working soon, hence congratulations rather than commiserations on starting lambing around 19th Jan!) 

The girls may start cycling over a period, but once each starts she should cycle every 17 days until fertilised.  Having an active tup lamb with them will get them cycling sooner than if they were in a group on their own.

Whether the ewe lamb will come into season this year depends on many things including breed, location, weather, age, condition ... when was she born, what breed is she?

[OhLaLa]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

No he wasn't wearing a raddle but when I saw him doing what rams do I ran out there with the gunk and gave his chest a paint job     My timing for him to 'come of age' was about now so I've been keeping an eye on his antics.

The flock are Suffolk, the youngster was born in Feb. Their condition right now is good, plenty of hay ready in store. Can't say what the weather will be, but we are south.

I don't want the youngster to lamb so will prob need to turn her into adjacent field with an older ewe (probably the tupped one). Would this cause any problems as they will be 'over the fence' and very much in view.

[Dougal]

so long as the fence is stock proof and the tups have enough to do on their own side of the fence then there shouldn't be a problem.

[SallyintNorth]

I agree with Dougal, so long as the fence is good it should be no problem.  And the bonus is you will be able to see if the tupped girl loiters around the fence making eyes at the tup in 17 days' time, in which case let her back through for a second serving! 

I haven't bred Suffolks myself but a fit 6-month old ewe lamb having had a good summer (especially in the south) has a very good chance of being able to conceive, I would say, so yes, it sounds like a good plan to move her and the tupped girl next door. 

[Rosemary]

Hm, think it's time to get the lambs weaned.

[andywalt]

So will you lamb them inside ohlala? this year I will lamb all mine outside in mid march, cheaper, easier, less stress and less time , but better ask me how it went in April and I might have a diffrent opinion !!

[OhLaLa]

Inside definitely - especially after the stress of our last lambing - great when it's a sunny morning but not so much fun when it's a bit nippy, damp, pitch black out in the field and sheepy decides to lamb just when the kids are at the table waiting to be fed and fox is on the prowl waiting for just the same thing.

I never managed to find a wether which is why the lad is running with the girls, otherwise I would definitely choose March as my preferred lambing time.

This year I've allocated dedicated barn space and got the hurdles. I just need to get the tap plumbed in, sort out the electricity for the lighting, and do the usual bit (!) of fixing up.

All sounds so straightforward doesn't it. If only.