[Richmond]

Is it likely that 2 Soay ewes aged 6 and 7 who have not lambed since 2021 will ever get in lamb again? 3 years of non lambing were deliberate, last autumn I did put them back in with the ram but they didnt take. I'd like them to live permanently with the the boys - their two Soay wether brothers plus a Norfolk Horn ram. Is this likely to cause any issues?
The reason I no longer want them living with the other ewes is that the older Soay ewe is particularly bossy and dominates all of the younger sheep (different larger breeds), beating them up quite violently at times. She is the smallest sheep we have but by far the most domineering! However she is a pet, extremely tame and I am very reluctant to cull her.

[twizzel]

If you don’t want lambs from them, don’t put them with the ram. They will likely still cycle at that age.

[Richmond]

Ok thanks. Tbh I don't mind if they do get in lamb, it was just that I didnt know how likely they were to. There are so many different opinions. Some people have told me once a ewe misses a couple of years that's it, she won't get in lamb again. Others say she could. So, apart from the risk of lambing out of season is there any other reason why I can't keep these girls in with the ram?

[SallyintNorth]

So, apart from the risk of lambing out of season is there any other reason why I can't keep these girls in with the ram?

More of an "almost certainty", in my experience

[Richmond]

So, if they are likely to get in lamb, why didnt they get in lamb this winter? The ram only had 4 ewes to cover so he wasn't overworked! He was in with them for 2 whole months. I witnessed him tupping one of them.

[SallyintNorth]

Well, maybe their systems needed priming, and are now primed and ready! 

If they're fit enough to grow, birth and feed lambs, and you don't mind managing unseasonable lambs if it happens, and really want to give it a go, then go ahead.  But if you think that either of them would or might struggle, then sorry but it wouldn't be a risk I would take.

The oldest lambing ewe I have heard of was a 17 year old Herdwick.  She lambed and successfully reared a single lamb out on the Lakeland fells every year bar 1 from her 4th to her 17th.  (The shepherd liked them to mature slowly, they had their first lamb at 4.) 

[Richmond]

Thank you - that makes sense! I think I may keep them separate until "normal" tupping season. Will prob be Oct - Dec for us again this year. Then might keep them in with the boys and take the other ewes out who will have certainly conceived by then. Gives the Soays extra time to conceive although I'm not sure why they should need it really.