[NewLifeOnTheFarm]

Hi all!

Lambs were born mid April. Plan was to wean September. But one of the ram lambs is showing plenty of interest in the ewes. They are not reciprocating but I just wondered whether I need to be worried and consider moving lambs earlier?

It's my first year having lambs.

Thanks

[landroverroy]

No - I wouldn't worry. It's quite common for some of the ram lambs to be a bit precocious. I also leave my male lambs entire and don't wean until August/Sept. Apart from any ability or otherwise of the ram lambs, the ewes do not normally get pregnant again while still feeding their offspring. The only exceptions to this that I have found over the years is where a ewe that is not lactating for some reason has been left in with the main flock.

[SallyintNorth]

My experience differs, and I do not personally believe in the 'won't get in lamb while still lactating' theory.

However, depending on breed and your location and usual lambing period, you may be okay.  What breed or types of sheep do you keep and where are you?

[NewLifeOnTheFarm]

The ewes are all Shetlands, the ram in question is a Shetland X texel. We are up in Aberdeenshire.

The lamb in question is actually the youngest of the group, but I haven't seen him feed from mum in a while. He is always well away from her now, compared to others lambs who are usually I the vicinity.

[bj_cardiff]

I also think a ewe in milk can get in lamb! You could risk it, but a lot of people (myself included) will be putting the rams in with the ewes on the 1st September and will expect them to be cycling! I'd wean them at 90 days, 120 at the most.

[Backinwellies]

Cows get pregnant whilst lactating or you wouldn't have dairy herds .... So no this will not stop pregnancy.

[shep53]

Sheep with a few exceptions are seasonal breeders and respond to daylight length  , with an ave period of sexual activity of  5mth's  with sheep on hill  land only  3 -4 mth and   pure down breeds 6mth , a few like dorset horn / il de france / inra  can cycle for up to 8 mth

[SallyintNorth]

I’d think you’re safe enough for another 6 weeks at least with Shetlands and Texel x.  Breeds that seem to cycle earlier in the year include Charolais as well as the well-known Dorset breeds.

Until we had a Charollais tup and kept his daughters, ex-BH used to leave the tups with one group of ewes just to see what happened.  This was in North Cumbria, on Hadrian’s Wall.  The earliest he ever had a lamb was 4th January.  Most years there was nothing until February.  After we had the Charollais we used to separate the tups by the end of July.  And get any unringed lambs away before August too.

When I lived up there, my Shetland and Shetland x flock ran with the Shetland tup year round.   Never any action before October.  I think a Texel x tup might have got busy sooner