Author Topic: Number of ewes to ram?  (Read 4381 times)

Remy

  • Joined Dec 2011
Number of ewes to ram?
« on: November 03, 2012, 04:15:46 pm »
Can it cause problems if a ram has too few ewes?  I have three rams (one an experienced older ram and the other two last year's lambs).  The idea is that I want to build up a larger commercial flock and experiment with cross breeding.  I have divided up the ewes mature enough for lambing and they have 5-6 ewes each (there will be another 8 ewes next year).  My Zwartbles ram was in one paddock and my Gotland ram in another, with a paddock in between them.  Last week I woke up to see a Zwartbles sheep walking over the Gotland's paddock, and thought how the heck did that get in there?  (I have stock fencing with mains electric wire above it).  I then realised it was the ram, who proceeded to go across to a Gotland ewe and serve her before I could do anything about it!


Anyway it transpired that the Zwartbles had jumped out of his paddock, had been giving the Gotland ram a good head butting through the stock fencing and had then jumped into his field, breaking the electric wire  ::) .  I managed to call the ewes in with a bucket and the rams followed.  It would have been a big problem if I didn't have another field which is surrounded by stock fencing AND high hedges, so have put the Zwartbles ram with his ewes in there.  He has spent most of his days walking up and down the gate looking into the Gotland paddock (the two paddocks are separated by a track).  I'm keeping fingers crossed he doesn't jump the gate!


Is it because he doesn't have enough ewes, or could a Gotland ewe still be on heat (which makes me wonder why?)  Are some rams just like this?  It's the first time I've had more than one ram at tupping time.  I can't afford for this ram to destroy all my fencing as it's stock with electric wire, apart from the hedged paddock.  I thought by having a dead space between them it would be ok, but obviously not enough to stop a determined ram!
1 horse, 2 ponies, 4 dogs, 2 Kune Kunes, a variety of sheep

kanisha

  • Joined Dec 2007
    • Spered Breizh Ouessants
    • Facebook
Re: Number of ewes to ram?
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2012, 04:38:13 pm »
I usually run several small breeding groups all my fences are now of necessity double fences and yes if there is a ewe on heat in one paddock the ram next door knows about it and doesn't see the fence as an issue. Fortunately my breed is a lot easier to contain than some ( fingers crossed any way  :fc: ) I don't think it has anything to do with numbers
Ravelry Group: - Ouessants & Company

Pedwardine

  • Joined Feb 2012
  • South Lincolnshire
Re: Number of ewes to ram?
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2012, 08:45:29 pm »
Goodness. This year we're having four tupping groups in adjacent paddocks with double electric fencing dividing all of them. Hope it'll work  :fc:  A bit nervous now  :-\
We're doing eight ewes per ram which should hopefully keep all the boys happy.

SallyintNorth

  • Joined Feb 2011
  • Cornwall
  • Rarely short of an opinion but I mean well
    • Trelay Cohousing Community
Re: Number of ewes to ram?
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2012, 02:25:34 pm »
An experienced tup will gather all the ready or nearly ready ewes about him first thing and keep them with him all day, occasionally checking that no-one else is in need of his attentions.

When he hasn't anyone in his own field to cosy up with then he will certainly follow up any interesting smells from neighbouring fields.

If you have groups less than 17 strong then you definitely have bored tups looking for lurve on some of the days.  50 in a group should mean he has 2 or 3 every day to keep him happy - for 17 days.  Once the girls are through the first cycle then the tup will again be underemployed and looking for work. 
Don't listen to the money men - they know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Live in a cohousing community with small farm for our own use.  Dairy cows (rearing their own calves for beef), pigs, sheep for meat and fleece, ducks and hens for eggs, veg and fruit growing

kanisha

  • Joined Dec 2007
    • Spered Breizh Ouessants
    • Facebook
Re: Number of ewes to ram?
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2012, 03:36:13 pm »
I thought ewes tended to synchronise their cycles?
Ravelry Group: - Ouessants & Company

SallyintNorth

  • Joined Feb 2011
  • Cornwall
  • Rarely short of an opinion but I mean well
    • Trelay Cohousing Community
Re: Number of ewes to ram?
« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2012, 06:49:32 pm »
I thought ewes tended to synchronise their cycles?
I don't know that my experience bears this out. 

But maybe it's different down south, and/or for different breeds?    Or if you run the tups with the ewes?
Don't listen to the money men - they know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Live in a cohousing community with small farm for our own use.  Dairy cows (rearing their own calves for beef), pigs, sheep for meat and fleece, ducks and hens for eggs, veg and fruit growing

SteveHants

  • Joined Aug 2011
Re: Number of ewes to ram?
« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2012, 11:42:24 pm »
'synchronised would be all coming on heat in the same week, really. I dont think its ever the same day or whatever...

Pedwardine

  • Joined Feb 2012
  • South Lincolnshire
Re: Number of ewes to ram?
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2012, 12:19:29 pm »
Sounds like I've potential problems with my set up then.  :thinking:  Maybe ought to rethink distances between or ewes per ram again. Bugger!
Has your boy broken out again at all Gill?

 

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