[kanisha]

I have the option this year of putting a ram in the paddock next to the unbred ewes. Typically I put rams in with the ewes for six weeks. I don't mate ewe lambs and my lambing period is spread over the six weeks with the majority born in the second and third weeks. If i was to put a ram in the paddock next to the ewes and then a ram in with the ewes for six weeks what could i expect in the way of tightening up the lambing period? and would i have the majority born earlier?

Forgot to add  how long before the ram goes in would you put the teaser ram next door?

[shep53]

You need to understand the sequence to make the best use ,  rams need to kept out of sight, sound and importantly smell from the ewes for 6wks or so before you wish to mate , then  a max of 14 days before mating either put the ram in the next field or a teaser in with the ewes , this will stimulate the ewes to cycle but the first cycle may be silent so no mating will occur , then the second cycle will happen 17 days after ram stimulation and mating will occur. From your post this is what seems to be happening at the moment and why the 2nd and 3rd wks produce the most lambs

[kanisha]

I should add that my rams don't live on the same site as the ewes and usually only arrive for the six weeks. so i'm not likely to tighten up the lambing particularly but am likely to get a greater number of ewes lambing earlier than they other wise would?

I was hoping it would tighten up the lambing period a bit.

[shep53]

Yes you could tighten up the lambing , put your rams in the field next to the ewes for 10 days then put them together for the next  4-5 wks  this is 2 full cycles and should be adequate .  The best way to tighten up is to sell any ewes that don't lamb in the first 21 days and only keep ewe lambs born in the same time span, as a lot of ewes tend to lamb at the same sort of date every year

[kanisha]

Ok thanks