[Foobar]

I have two (entire) ram lambs ready to go to slaughter, and one cull ewe.  Currently the ram lambs are running separate from the ewes.  Question is ... if I house overnight and transport the ewe with the ram lambs to slaughter will it affect the meat quality of the ram lambs?
I might be able to house the ewe separately from the boys overnight, and during transportation I can separate them via a gate in the trailer.  But I worry that the presence of a ewe will excite the boys and make them fight etc and trigger hormones etc etc ....


Thoughts anyone?

[robert waddell]

just tasted a bit of Boris   a Christmas born Hampshire tup lamb that had been running with his to ewe lamb palls    no taint from him

[Mallows Flock]

*gasp* Robert...you named one you are eating!
Isn't that akin to Cannibalism??? LOL 

[robert waddell]

not a bit of it it tastes just braw   no taint the best lamb stew for ages  and organic carrots that were meant for the pigs   no point in me selling him for less than he was worth 37 and a half kilos  lamb sausages are marinading overnight   just need to wait to sunday for results
they taste better when you name them

[Fleecewife]

*gasp* Robert...you named one you are eating!
Isn't that akin to Cannibalism??? LOL 

We name all of ours, whether they are to be eaten or not     Why wouldn't you?
 
I don't think there will be a problem with taint in the meat from such a short time with a ewe, but if they are in with her at least it will take all their minds off where they're going 

[SallyintNorth]

I don't think there will be a problem with taint in the meat from such a short time with a ewe, but if they are in with her at least it will take all their minds off where they're going 

I would keep the sexes physically seperated though - they could get themselves bruised if they were together 

[Fleecewife]

I don't think there will be a problem with taint in the meat from such a short time with a ewe, but if they are in with her at least it will take all their minds off where they're going 

I would keep the sexes physically seperated though - they could get themselves bruised if they were together 

I won't ask how you know that one Sally 

[Foobar]

Thank you all.  Booking them in now for Monday.

[Haylo-peapod]

In the past I've sent entire GFD shearlings to the abattoir in September (17 months) and they have been fine (the taste was fantastic - no taint).
 
I haven't got around to sending this years bunch off and I've just made a bit of a faux pas. I've just treated them for liver fluke following the demise of my ram lamb but omitted to check the withdrawal period first ..... 56 days - EEK! I am keeping a small field between the boys and the ewes but will the testosterone have built up more by November or will I have to wait until next year now and send them off for mutton??