Rams again

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Magpie
Living the good life
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Rams again

Post: # 54609Post Magpie »

Just wondering how long the rams should be separated from the ewes if you don't want lambs? They have tidied up their paddock very nicely now, thinking we may have to open up another smaller paddock for them, and then break-feed the first one, and wanting to know how long we have to plan for.

autumnleaf
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
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Post: # 56481Post autumnleaf »

The only safe time a ram can be with a ewe is when the ewe is already in lamb I think. I know that the standard wisdom is that ewes are in oestrus only in the autumn but there are breeds that can mate successfully other times of the year. I think the Dorset might be one - not sure about that. If a ram is close by and the weather is favourable I wouldn't risk having a ram with ewes at any time if I don't want lambs.

Jack
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Post: # 56501Post Jack »

Gidday
autumnleaf wrote:The only safe time a ram can be with a ewe is when the ewe is already in lamb I think. I know that the standard wisdom is that ewes are in oestrus only in the autumn but there are breeds that can mate successfully other times of the year. I think the Dorset might be one - not sure about that. If a ram is close by and the weather is favourable I wouldn't risk having a ram with ewes at any time if I don't want lambs.
I will ditto all of that.
Cheers
just a Rough Country Boy.

autumnleaf
Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
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Post: # 56524Post autumnleaf »

Cheers

Magpie
Living the good life
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Post: # 56536Post Magpie »

Thanks, guys.

We ended up letting them out this weekend, after they ate down the paddock they were in. We have 20 acres, but only 1 paddock is fenced off yet, so nowhere else to put them. Didn't want to buy in feed when there is plenty outside their fence!

So I know we will get lambs, but at least it will be later, (October or later) and we will hopefully be in residence then, so will be able to keep an eye on them.

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