Author Topic: Ewes / tups in adjoining fields ? (Read 2616 times)

marka · « **on:** July 09, 2014, 09:20:15 am »

Hi there,

Just wondering what everyone thought about putting ewes in an adjacent field to tups at this time of year ? Would we be running the risk of the tup jumping the fence to get to them or should it be ok ?
Its just a single line of fence with stock fencing and a wire top line between the two

Many thanks

Mark

Hellybee · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2014, 09:27:30 am »

I suppose it could depend on how agile they are. Our rams are very docile and big hefty lads I don't think theyed climb into any field. But as for the ewes, some of them would try n climb in

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2014, 09:29:44 am »

Depends on the breed. Some ewes will accept the tup all year. Most don't. It's not always the tups that visit the ewes - last year we had a ewe jump two fences to get to the tup. As the days lengthen the ewes will start to cycle and the tups rev up. Depends how averse you are to lambs in December.

Bionic · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2014, 09:30:43 am »

Mark,
I am no expert but think about the type of sheep you have and how good your fencing is. I have Ryelands and they just don't seem to do fence jumping. My tup is in the field next to my girls with four bar fencing in between. They often sit either side of the fence but there is never any attempt to jump over.
On the other hand I have seen the commercial sheep round here jumping fences as if they are training for the olympics, clearing it easily.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2014, 09:33:54 am »

Our neighbour's Badger Face ram cleared a five foot sheeted cattle gate and two field gates to visit another neighbour's ewes.

marka · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2014, 09:36:29 am »

Hi all,

Many thanks for the replies so far.

We have Castlemilk moorits ewes and 2 old ryeland lawnmowers and our tup is a CM as well.

They haven't shown any signs so far of wanting to jump the fences so far but there's always a first time I suppose.

Regards

Mark

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2014, 09:45:08 am »

I really hesitate to say this, because it's the sort of thing that will come and bite you in the bottom - but so far, my CM ewes and wethers haven't ever been amongst the jumper-outers in my flock. Most but not all of the Shetlands and Shetland Xs do. One of the Manxes does, and her daughter too, the other Manx doesn't but her Shetland X daughter deos. But so far, none of the CMs.

But then, I haven't had a CM tup and that sort of provocation!