[firemansam]

How late in the year will ewes generally cycle. I have some easycare ewes, will they still be able to take the ram in feb

[Raine]

 


I was asking a similar thing about buying two ewes last weekend.


I needn't have worried  .  Our ram was on our ladies within hours, even though they are not so interested  .   Looks like a benny hill show half the time!


I'm no expert, but I would expect you may be ok.

[Calvadnack]

Last year we put the ram to some of our Shetlands first week in January.  They were all covered within 3 weeks - but our Shetland girls are total flirty Gerties !

[Marches Farmer]

Will you really want to be lambing in July, though?  Grass may be poor by then and it doesn't give the ewes much chance to regain condition before returning to the tup if you want to lamb in Spring next year.

[lachlanandmarcus]

also might be into fly season while they are still feeding from mum - milky udder attracting the flies? And makes shearing a bit of a headache in terms of lambs not being very independent. OK if early Feb maybe but I wouldnt ideally want it later. Esp as ewes could take a few days/week to come into season. But in answer to the question, I think it is likely ram will get them in lamb, yes.

[Ina]

And makes shearing a bit of a headache in terms of lambs not being very independent.

Easycare don't need shearing, as far as I am aware!

And anyway, you can shear before lambing. Doesn't seem to do the lambs any harm.

[twizzel]

Also if you lamb in July you don't give your lambs much time out on good grass before winter sets in, when they will still be growing and require extra feed on top of the normal winter feed/hay they normally need.

[firemansam]

I have a tup in with mine until the end of the month as they were last yrs lambs, this what the farmer sold me when I asked for something that I could lamb with in 2013!
He then loaned me a ram for 8 weeks basically dec and jan. Hense the question.
I know what you are all thinking but you live and learn.
 And yes quite clearly these are my 1st sheep.

[Ladygrey]

I have ewes due to lamb in march but I'm also putting some to a ram next week,
Due to the fact I have access to loads of grass over the winter and no barns to lamb in over the winter.