[smee2012]

We are hoping to get our girls tupped for the first time this year but with one thing and another, haven't really had a chance to think about it until now. Are we too late? How do I know if they are in season or not? Do they continue to cycle until they get 'seen to'? I'm more than happy to wait until March/April for my lambs but don't know how long a sheep's gestation is. Arrrgggghhh! So much more to learn about sheep!

[bizzielizzie66]

You've got time. Sheep gestation is approx. 147 days. If you look online there are some natty lambing date calculator tables.  Oestrous cycle is 17 days I think.  Our tup went in last year on 8th November - lambs born between 10th and 17th April.

As you say - there is always lots to learn about sheep and there are some really clued-up people on this forum - they are great.  One thing I'd say though - lambing is not for the faint-hearted. Sure you want to? 

[smee2012]

Yes! We need to start breeding our own meat lambs! We bought the girls as April lambs last year, so we've had more than a full year of sheep-keeping experience now. Time to move on to the next stage so that hopefully the meat lambs we bought this year will be the last.
We only have four shearlings so hopefully won't have too many lambs, although they are Zwartbles so usually have multiples! We have a few experienced shepherds around our way (including one of the breed society judges) so if we run into problems they'll be able to help

[SteveHants]

You've got plenty of time - my first lot are usually tupped to lamb 1st Apr, that way lambing coincides with the first grass growth.

[lachlanandmarcus]

Easy way to work out is if ram goes in on Bonfire night, lambs could start arriving from April Fools day. So add on any delay each end and it's easy to work out. NB once you put him in some ewes will stand say hello big boy and others can take a week or two to come into season.


We used to do bonfire night but now we are borrowing a ram it's usually a little bit later, more like mid November. Given the weather we got last spring, I was very glad of the delay!

[Rosemary]

Easy way to work out is if ram goes in on Bonfire night, lambs could start arriving from April Fools day.

Who says sheep don't have a sense of humour 

[Marches Farmer]

We wouldn't put the ram in later than mid November as fertility may start to decline after that - depends on daylight length in most breeds and it makes sense as they'll be lambing as the grass grows away to give good grazing (hopefully, although it didn't happen on time here this year or last).  Our rams will stay in only 19 days this year as we're lambing to coincide with the Easter school holidays (I'm not one to waste an extra pair of hands!).  The ram will probably tup one or two ewes on the first day that will be too far into their cycle for successful implantation and go round again and be picked up by the ram just before he leaves.  Any ewes that don't hold to service are culled.  It's worth getting them scanned if you can as it helps enormously with both feeding and knowing exactly how many you're waiting for in the middle of the night!

[smee2012]

Thanks for the replies everyone 

How long is the total cycle for a ewe then? We will hopefully be borrowing a tup so how long would we need to keep him in order to make sure they all take properly?

We won't be culling any that don't get pregnant, as we primarily keep the girls as pets and to keep the grass down in the paddocks. They are all extremely tame and very much part of the family 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Cycle is I think 21 days, we usually keep mr Tup for a month to pick up any tarty types who don't take first time. I cull for repeated empty ewes but weather can play a part so they all get two chances.


To maximise success you might want to keep ram for 42 days but I like to get him back home before Xmas as I always worry with the responsibility of having someone else's pride and joy under my wing.

[smee2012]

OK, and one final stupid question then...

How do I know if they have taken or not?

[Penninehillbilly]

I've read and reread this, have I missed it? how do you tell when they are ready for tup? I only have 2 ex-pet lambs which I can pop over to a tup when ready, but when?
I'm used to goats calling for a male, wagging tail etc, do ewes do similar?

[lachlanandmarcus]

They will be ready to tup any time now on. Tho they aren't as clear in their intentions as goats unless there is a ram in the vicinity, if there is they will hang around the fence between them, wee, all that stuff.


But putting the ram in with them will soon bring them all into  heat if they aren't already!

[Bramblecot]

If you look at www.lambbank.co.uk there is a page where you type in the date the ewe was tupped and it will give the date she is likely to lamb plus earliest and latest dates.  It is easier to work out dates if the ram has raddle colour.  Hope this helps and good luck with your first lambing

[devonlad]

we work on a ewe cycling every 17 days ( and being receptive for an average of 30 hours during that time. therefore we have the ram in for at least 34 days to ensure 2 full cycles. we always use raddle paste ( not a harness as we don't like the risk of injury) straight on his breastbone. after 17 days we change the colour and if he doesn't revist them then you can assume they have taken. we're in our 4th year and so far it has always worked as has our calculation of lambing dates- which saves endless sleepless nights.