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Rams again
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:44 pm
by 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.
Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 2:12 am
by 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.
Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 9:57 am
by 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.
Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 7:32 pm
by autumnleaf
Cheers
Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 8:41 pm
by 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.