Author Topic: Meat quality of uncastrated rams (Read 6114 times)

Paul and Caroline · « **on:** November 01, 2016, 05:59:45 pm »

Hi guys

I have been hearing stories about meet 'taint' in entire ram lambs and wondered if this was an inevitable consequence with Rams?

I have an entire Suffolk ram lamb who was born last week of March so is now just over 7 months old. I also have 5 Ewe lambs and a wether of the same age. For reasons which were beyond my control I have not been able to send them to slaughter yet, but they are due to go in the next 10 days.

The entire ram I would guesstimate weighs between 55-60kg with the Ewes and wether all being well over 40 kg.

I have kept the Rams separate from the Ewes for the past 3 months although they are in adjacent fields with just stock fencing between them, so they have clear line of sight and they can and do nuzzle at the fence.

They are fed on grass obviously and adlib lamb maize pellets.

Is the meat from the entire ram likely to be tainted? I also keep pigs and I am aware of 'boar taint' which can affect the meat of sexually active boars, but this is the first time I have heard anything about a similar 'problem' in sheep.......

twizzel · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2016, 06:17:43 pm »

I've heard it can taint the meat, but I remember a few years ago we killed an entire ram lamb around November time and his meat was fine, he too had been separated from ewe lambs (we had bought it as a store lamb, otherwise our ram lambs are all castrated as management is so much easier). Whether or not they have worked that autumn may have something to do with it?

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2016, 07:31:45 pm »

I have killed ram lambs which have been active and running with ewes/ewe lambs. The meat was fine, no taint whatsoever. I think to avoid taint I wouldn't kill them if I could really smell them, the smell of a ram pumping full of it, just in case although I have a feeling some will disagree with this.... It should be ok seeing as they have not been running together. My advice would be to get them off to slaughter ASAP before any signs or smells can been seen or smelt

All the best and there is nothing like your own lamb

Rosemary · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2016, 08:52:40 am »

We don't castrate our tup lambs; send them off at six months and wastold yesterday that "it's the best lamb I have ever eaten" but a customer. I wouldn't kill a sexually active ram immediately after the breeding season but I think you'll be fine.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2016, 10:12:57 am »

Ours which are Hebs go off at 16 months, in August - no taint ever. I wouldn't risk sending them at 19 months as that would be the middle of the breeding season. The only taint we've had was on a 7 yo tup who smelt before he went and was greasy and tainted when he came back

As a lamb, I think it very unlikely you'll have a problem, but if you do well hey, curry is great and hides a whole lot of sins. Go for it and let us know how it turns out.

Paul and Caroline · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2016, 10:55:17 am »

Thanks everyone for your comments

I will let you all know how it goes - he may not be working (for lack of opportunity) but he sure does have a twinkle in his eyes!!!!!

zwartbles · « **Reply #6 on:** November 02, 2016, 11:33:21 am »

Had 7 back from the butcher a couple of weeks ago. All sold and all said to be excellent. Sent our 2 year old ram in may and all meat sold as mutton and again good flavour with no taint. Timing appears to be the thing.