[OhLaLa]

In my flock, next season's (potential) young ram will have his mum and an aunt in there.

Undecided:  Have him as a wether, and get an unrelated ram instead?

They are bred for meat. Advice please.

  

[Rosemary]

I've only ever retained one ram lamb but sold him for breeding rather than use him myself. Like you, I had his mammy, his auntie and his sister.

My plan is to buy a new ram every two years; our current one, Leo, will have his second crop of lambs this month and he'l be sold at the sales in the autumn, when I'll buy a new one. His daughters will be ready to be tupped in autumn.

I have wondered about buying a ram lamb every year, using him in November then slaughtering him (seems a bit mean) but it would save having to keep the ram and wether seperate to the ewes.

[smudger]

Also interested in responses. I am looking for a shetland ram and possibly a Greyace Dartmoor (not sure I will breed pure if can't get society to register the lambs.... shame ).

Where and when does everyone start looking?

[Haylo-peapod]

Twice I dared dip my toe in the water of breeding close as I had a small flock and only one ewe was closely related to the ram. In both instances (first year father, second year half brother) I had problems, so personally speaking I wouldn't use the young ram on his mother & aunt.

Then again some breeders do this routinely with no problems so I was probably just unlucky with the ewe.

Only you can decide what you feel comfortable doing, but I'msure you'll get some good input from more experienced shepherds on the forum. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[feldar]

In the past we have put Father on Daughter and Son on Mother without any problems both times it was unintentional just a blip in our paperwork OH blames the secretary that's me!!! i say he should know all his sheep personally
Anyway no problems lambs were fine but we did not keep breeding.

[SteveHants]

I don't think its even worth considering breeding rams unless you have 50 or more in your flock (and this for rare breeds, commercial ram breeders have thousands of sheep normally) - you may breed a good 'un, but its highly unlikley.

I would buy an old ram who has done his job in a bigger flock if you only have a few sheep. You know he works, he will probably have good genetics etc. Knacker him when you are done and get another. I picked my first stock ram up for 200 quid and he is still going.

[Remy]

I wouldn't keep a ram if it was closely related to my breeding flock - I know that you can in-breed to a certain extent but I wouldn't be happy with it, would rather have unrelated rams/ewes.

If I thought a ram lamb had good potential I might be tempted to grow it on, but I already have three rams on the farm and it would have to be a particularly good one!

[Mays]

I am buying a ram lamb this year to use as stock ram next year, I may need to get him a wether friend so they can winter together. I would like a purebred Lleyn

[arwelcoed]

Pure bred lleyn! Good luck with that!! I don't believe any of the so called lleyn's I have seen in the last 10 years or so are anything like what they should be. They have all become leggy texel cross with rabbit like ears I don't care what they tell you they have crossed them!

[SteveHants]

I am buying a ram lamb this year to use as stock ram next year, I may need to get him a wether friend so they can winter together. I would like a purebred Lleyn

Pedigree Lleyn? I hope you have deep pockets!

Try the breed soc webpage and ring round breeders, they may have an old 'un. Where are you? I might know someone worth a try. Sensible breed choice though. Id have Lleyns if only they shed their wool...

[Mays]

I know where I am getting one from, but thanks for tips

[Fronhaul]

I would say it depends on what you are looking for.  I bought Nevern before he was born because I knew exactly the breeding I was looking for.  On the other hand Jay, who we bought as an older ram, was a stroke of pure luck.  But again we were buying the bloodlines first and foremost. 

The selection of rams for a pedigree and especially a show flock throw up a whole different set of questions though.  In smaller flocks I believe there is so much to be said in favour of the older ram who has done his duty elsewhere. 

Line breeding is fine if you know your lines back to front and inside out.  Otherwise best left alone is my belief.