[moprabbit]

Hi! Just wondered when ram lambs will reach sexual maturity? I have 4 ewes in a field that is sometimes used by someone else. He has just brought some of his ewes and lambs back to the field. There are 2 ram lambs in now that are about 3 months old. I just wondered when they become sexually mature? I don't want any hanky panky with my girls!!!
Another one of his ewes has a  large udder which is protruding from between her back legs and is very hard to touch - is this mastitis?
Thank you

[SteveHants]

It is hard to tell from your description if she has mastitis or not - she could just be milking well. An udder with mastitis will feel hard and hot and will soon start to look purplish. If it does have mastitis then I find alamycin LA into the udder does the trick - although she won't milk on  whatever side (or both) that the udder is affected again. Make sure you inject the top of the udder point the needle down so the antibiotic doesn't leak back out of the udder.


I wean entire males at 4 mos and haven't had any problems.

[Rosemary]

About 5 months or 60% of adult bodyweight.

[moprabbit]

Thank you both  for your replies. I think I'll move my ewes away from these lambs soon. The ewe is not milking either of her lambs now and Steve from your description it sounds like mastitis - the udder is hard and hot, but not purplish.
Thank you

[SteveHants]

Thank you both  for your replies. I think I'll move my ewes away from these lambs soon. The ewe is not milking either of her lambs now and Steve from your description it sounds like mastitis - the udder is hard and hot, but not purplish.
Thank you

In that case, teat ASAP - if mastitis becomes severe, it can kill the ewe.

[landroverroy]

Hi! Just wondered when ram lambs will reach sexual maturity?
Thank you

Usually the week before you separate them
60% of mature weight may be the theory, but if your ewes haven't lambed this year, then they'll be ready and waiting and any ram lamb over about 12 weeks will be happy to oblige.
 

[Mel Rice]

I was hoping that I might get an early set of lambs...so I hope you are right moprabbit I cheated last year and left my ram lamb in with the two ewes, only aunty obliged, mum obviously had morals. Aunty had two boys so I was going to leave them in again and see what happens. (lambs get put in the freezer at Christmas)