Rams, raddle, harness, or what?

johngalway

Hi folks,

I've never used any type of mark on my ram to see when he's tipped the ewes. Just let him into the field and get on with it aside from feeding him during that time.

I'm wondering what's the best type of thing to use on him this year? He's a Blackface, I won't be there every day to check on him but will be there 5-6 days out of the week.

All advice appreciated

ATB,

John.

Username John

Hello,

We used to use raddle, and put it on his chest as best as possible, but it wasn't great (I thought) as it all went on the first few ewes... (Admittedly, I may not have mixed it as thick as prob could have) Anyways, I got a harness this year, they cost around 17euro from what I remember - and the crayons for em cost around 2.50 I think.

Yer supposed to start with a light colour, and work yer way up (yellow, orange, red, green, blue, black) I actually couldnt get all the colours, so I kinda had to mix em a bit, but it did the job grand.

We changed the colour every 2 weeks, but I know lads who change every week so they have a better idea of when sheep are lambing.


A

sea12

Hi John,

Definitely worth the money. It makes such a difference to be able to sort ewes by colour for lambing. Also it will give an indication if your not scanning to see ewes which are not going in lamb so you could sell off rather than keeping for the winter.
Just remember to take change the colour at a minimum every 3 weeks.

5live

I used to use a harness but found it hurt the rams chest. Now i probably didnt put it on right which was the major cause probably but the raddle worked a treat once it is topped up every few days. I dont use either anymore ( i guess i like surprises) buy it worked well while i did it in sorting ewes close to lambing

DaNiEl1994

we use raddle, and top it up every week a good bit of it on his chest does the job

snowman707

not a great fan of the harness myself, I prefer to use raddle powder made into a paste with some cooking oil,

rub it well into the wool with a stiff brush

however it would have to be renewed every few days (depending of number of ewes per ram and weather conditions etc')


(hope the oh isnt reading this thread, she is still looking for her favourite delph brush :rolleyes:)

sea12

I know what 5 live means. they are awkward to put on. Also you need to remember to tighten up the straps every 2/3 weeks as rams will lose weight very quickly once they are mating as they dont really eat.
Other things on their minds!!!

5live

snowman707 wrote: »

(hope the oh isnt reading this thread, she is still looking for her favourite delph brush :rolleyes:)

:DI thought i was the only one. I am still blaming the dog for me losing a tablespoon i was using to measure powder for scouring calves. It was all ok till her friends came for dinner and there was only 5 spoons. Should i have gone out to retrieve the spoon and told the full story?:rolleyes:

johngalway

5live wrote: »

Should i have gone out to retrieve the spoon and told the full story?:rolleyes:

That's usually what happens just before the fight starts

basilbuster

I dont use any type of marking as i dont like the idea of gathering up ewes every 10 days and disturbing them. Prefer them to be kept nice and quiet and stress free and let nature take its course. Scanning anyway, so empties will be sold off and 90% will be lambed in 3 weeks also.

johngalway

Hi folks, thanks for the replies. I ordered some raddle powder this morning so I'll see how that goes. No doubt the ould fella will have some comments about it Probably much the same as when I numbered the ewes & lambs last year

tabby aspreme

have used the raddle powder mixed with gear oil for a good few years now ,and it works fine

snowman707

tupping finished here for last few weeks except for the ewe lambs

the rams are like the bachelors home from Lisdoonvarna, nothing to look forward to for the next 8 or 9 months!:D:D

Dunedin

johngalway wrote: »

Hi folks,

I've never used any type of mark on my ram to see when he's tipped the ewes. Just let him into the field and get on with it aside from feeding him during that time.

as another poster said, I wouldn't be a big fan either of the harness or indeed putting on raddle every other day - it only causes stress to both Ram and Ewes.

The only real advantage to the raddle/harness is that you can count the days (approx 147) so you have a good idea when they will lamb.

This is fine for a small number but not so for a large number.

I would suggest putting on a bit of the raddle powder on him going out hte first day (at least that tells you that he is working if you see a few tipped) and then just get ewes scanned thereafter.