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when to buy ewes?

  • 17-12-2011 6:26pm
    #1
    spt88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24 ✭


    just wondering whats the best time of yr to buy ewes im looking at getting into a few sheep. maybe someone on here might give me a few pointers on what to look out for when buying dem. we had them here yrs ago but id be too young to remember them.


Comments

  • #2
    Mr.Success
    Closed Accounts Posts: 161 ✭✭Mr.Success


    You could start a flock by purchasing in lamb ewes and hoggets in the coming weeks. When looking at ewes make sure the udder is correct, soft on each side with both teats working. See if they were ever stitched behind from a lamb bed operation (avoid these) And their mouth will tell you the age. Personally I would have no problem with a ewe with a full mouth of teeth just avoid ewes that are losing teeth as they cannot graze properly. Hoggets obviously will not have these problems but they are inexperienced with mothering lambs and require more attention to make sure they rear the lamb. A correct second or third crop ewe will have that bit more experience.
    Alternatively you could look in marts for small late ewe lambs from 2011 and they should be a nice size to let with a ram next october. The only problem there is you wont start your lambing till spring of 2013.


  • #3
    spt88
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24 ✭spt88


    Mr.Success wrote: »
    You could start a flock by purchasing in lamb ewes and hoggets in the coming weeks. When looking at ewes make sure the udder is correct, soft on each side with both teats working. See if they were ever stitched behind from a lamb bed operation (avoid these) And their mouth will tell you the age. Personally I would have no problem with a ewe with a full mouth of teeth just avoid ewes that are losing teeth as they cannot graze properly. Hoggets obviously will not have these problems but they are inexperienced with mothering lambs and require more attention to make sure they rear the lamb. A correct second or third crop ewe will have that bit more experience.
    Alternatively you could look in marts for small late ewe lambs from 2011 and they should be a nice size to let with a ram next october. The only problem there is you wont start your lambing till spring of 2013.

    thanks very much for this. good info there and definatly some stuff i wouldn have thought of. i thought to get a few hoggets prob bout ten or so. mainly as a hobbie really and to keep control of the ragwort. would i need to apply for a flock number or wil my herd number suffice?


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