[OhLaLa]

I've heard conflicting opinions, which is correct?

1) A ram lamb (appx 1 year old) makes for good eating
2) A ram lamb that has tupped has a tainted flavour meat

Thanks in advance
  

[andywalt]

As I understand it (so could be wrong) your right on both questions, its good eating but only before its tupped, the meat taints afterwards....please correct me if im wrong people !!!

[lachlanandmarcus]

Have eaten a 1+ yo ram lamb and he was delicious and no stronger than the other Shetland wethers.

Havent tried a tup tho.....

[mmu]

I hope you're right, I'm just about to send one away!

[raygezer]

Hi there in January this year we had a ram of 2yrs old surplus to requirements so we had him for the freezer ,it was i think a better taste as long as it was cooked nice and slow hot pots and stews . probably do it again in January 2012 ,enjoy

[ScotsGirl]

As long as you don't kill a ram during tupping season there should be no taint.  My friend sent her ram off a month or so ago and he has tupped the ewes for at least 2 seasons and she said he tasted great!

[jaykay]

talking to the lady I'm buying some Shetlands from, they eat entire tups at 2 years old - she said the critical thing about taint was when you sent them to th butchers - just NOT during tipping season apparently.

Ha , just cross-posted with ScotsGirl who is saying the same thing

[andywalt]

thats great and clarified it for me too, I have one surplus to requirements so I will do the same, he has never tupped. It must be a hormone ? does anyone have any detail as to what  changes the taste?

[VSS]

As long as you don't kill a ram during tupping season there should be no taint

This is the key thing - wait until the spring to send him in.

[andywalt]

Heres another question.......

if the ram lamb is seperate from any females, say in the next field,..... would he get taint then?