[Tala Orchard]

Ewes that have twins is this due to the potency of the ram or the breeding of the ewe, just wondering as a way to determine which ewes to keep if she has had twins this year is she likely to have them next year and so forth, or is it pot luck or down to the ram?

Probably a totally irrational question.

Tala

[SteveHants]

The ewe releases as many eggs as she is predisposed to do per cycle - the ram should release millions of sperm. If the ram is sub fertile, it will probably show more as a large portion of ewes not getting pregnant at all.


However - how many eggs the ewe is predisposed to releasing is down to her breeding and I don't think this trait is carried down he female line only (much of what I have read suggests otherwise anyway). So; if you are looking for a ram (same applies to a ewe, but people ted to record it less) to breed replacements, it is better to choose one with a bigger litter size as he will have an influence on this trait in his daughters.

[Fleecewife]

 
And of course in the showing world, where biggest is best, single rams will do better than twins, thus over time decreasing litter size when these prize winners are used for breeding.      - that's me on my hobby horse