[Shnoowie]

We have a few too many Ryeland rams - there are two which we definitely want to keep, and three that need to go.  They're all pedigree and registered but nobody seems too keen on buying them, I suppose there is not much call for them!
We have thought about eating them, but they're not really big enough.  So, we're considering castrating them so they can run with the girls and at least that sorts out some of our grazing problems.  They are all too old for bands - one being nearly 2 and the others being around 7 months.  Does anyone know how much a vet would charge - ish for them to be done?

[Sylvia]

I asked my vet. recently about castrating a full grown ram (the alternative didn't bear thinking about though all has come well ) His advise was that I would go to a great expense and that there was a very significant risk of the ram bleeding to death. I would have taken that risk except that a good home was found for him.
Sorry, not much help

[Rosemary]

We had one of our 2009 tup lambs castrated at about 5 months old - I got attached to him, so we keep him as a tup companion. He's such a sweetheart.

Anyway, as far as I can remember, the vet charged about £6. We took him to the surgery in the back of the car; Dan held Dickie (the now wether) on his back while the vet administered a local anaesthetic and did the job. Took about 10 minutes; took Dickie home and put him back with his mum and he was none the worse. He was a bit sore later once the anaesthetic wore off (walking like John Wayne) but was fine next day.

Why are they not big enough to eat? We eat out Ryeland tup lambs about 7 months old and they're well big enough.

[kanisha]

Have had several adult rams castrated and gone to pet homes  ( yes I know I could eat them but some I do some I don't)  never had one bleed to death. If your vet can do it under local for six quid bargain paid a lot more had had it done surgically never had any problems

[Hopewell]

I asked my vet. recently about castrating a full grown ram. His advise was that I would go to a great expense and that there was a very significant risk of the ram bleeding to death.

Sounds like your vet didn't actually want to do it and was trying to put you off. Most mixed/ large animal vets are used to having to castrate large calves and I don't really see there is much difference between them and a ram.

[Gunnermark]

Totally unrelated to your post but I am looking for a couple of ryeland ewes and if I can find some I may well be interested in a ram do you know of anyone who has any ewes for sale?

[VSS]

Totally unrelated to your post but I am looking for a couple of ryeland ewes and if I can find some I may well be interested in a ram do you know of anyone who has any ewes for sale?

Whereabouts are you? I know of a couple of people who have ewes for sale. Also are you looking for Ryelands or Coloured Ryelands?

[Gunnermark]

Somerset don't really mind coloured or not.

[bigchicken]

If they were mine I would have sold them at a rare / minority breed sale.  If they are not selling privately and with the proceeds bough some move ewes to eat the grass.

[Corrie Dhu]

I agree, I'd sell them and buy ewes.  However we had a load of entire shetlands castrated at 6 months+ and it was about £9 an animal on farm.  Everything is cheaper if you can take the animal to the surgery as well.

[VSS]

Somerset don't really mind coloured or not.

Have pm'd you.

[Shnoowie]

We've been trying to sell them since this years lambs were weaned - no joy.  We never made the show and sale due to illness.  One of this years lambs is too small to eat, one will make a good tup and the eldest one is a proven ram, it seems a shame to eat them when they could have uses as either tups, or failing that lawn mowers.

[Fleecewife]

Don't give up offering the good ones for sale as breeding tups just yet.  We find we get several last minute requests for breeding tups from breeders who seem to have forgotten to plan ahead or missed the sales.

As well as surgical castration, there is a thing called a burdizzo, which crushes the spermatic cords without opening the skin.  It sounds enough to make grown men weep, but apparently is fine for the sheep.

[Sylvia]

Hopewell, my ram is six years old, would this make a difference? My vet. is a large animal expert and, I hope, wouldn't fob me off.

[kanisha]

surgical technique commonly used in castrating farm animals is to open the scrotum at the bottom see the described proceedure

The testicles may be surgically removed. With this method, a sharp knife or scalpel is used to remove the bottom one-third of the scrotal sac. The testicles are removed and the wound is allowed to drain and heal naturally. It is essential that proper aseptic technique be used when the surgical method of castration is used.

According to research conducted in Great Britain, surgical castration is the most painful method of castration as lambs surgically castrated have higher amounts of cortisol in their bloodstream as compared to lambs castrated using other methods. Surgical castration also has the greatest potential for infection and fly infestation. Surgical castration should only be done before or after fly season

Had it done once that way  in a ram  NEVER again poor bastard! a bloody mess and it was not comfortable  for him or to look at. the others were done by an expereienced Small animal vet who used the same surgical technique as for a dog ( yes there is a risk of swelling) but properly ligated really the risk of bleeding to death is a fault of the veterinary surgeon  NOT the procedure. if you do decide to get a ram done ask lots of questions first and decide foryourself which technique you prefer and IF the vet is willing to do it that way.