Flushing sheep

farmers101

I have a group of 40 sheep, hoggets - 2nd crops. Lambs are all gone last week. I have them hymned up in a small break paddock since Tuesday, and was wondering when will I move them 2 good grass??

I want 2 have early lambs (January -mid feb)
Also how many rams will I need?

AntrimGlens

If you're looking for lambs jan/mid feb then the rams need to be going out at the start of september, therefore ewes can be kept on bare enough grazing until then, provided body condition is around 3.5 at flushing time.
If i was running 40 ewes and wanted early lambs i'd buy a teaser and throw him in with the ewes 12 days before the ram goes in to get them cycling as this will bring the ewes into oestrus together and tighten up your lambing, hopefully everything would tup early in the first cycle.

One ram would easily cover 40 ewes but its always better to have a backup in case one goes lame or not working. Obviously certain breeds of ewes will come into season sooner than others out of seson thus why i would be an advocate of using a teaser, also helps if you work out and need to take time off work!

farmers101

AntrimGlens wrote: »

If you're looking for lambs jan/mid feb then the rams need to be going out at the start of september, therefore ewes can be kept on bare enough grazing until then, provided body condition is around 3.5 at flushing time.
If i was running 40 ewes and wanted early lambs i'd buy a teaser and throw him in with the ewes 12 days before the ram goes in to get them cycling as this will bring the ewes into oestrus together and tighten up your lambing, hopefully everything would tup early in the first cycle.

One ram would easily cover 40 ewes but its always better to have a backup in case one goes lame or not working. Obviously certain breeds of ewes will come into season sooner than others out of seson thus why i would be an advocate of using a teaser, also helps if you work out and need to take time off work!

I was thinking about a teaser ram, same as a vasectomised bull! does people sell teaser rams? or do ya have to get a vet to vasectomise them? thanks for your help!!

AntrimGlens

Mostly you would pick up a ram lamb Dorsets would be best for randiness and get the vet to vasectomise it. Costs about 60 squids here to get it done but not much overall if you tighten up lambing and save a lamb. I've done a few and sold three from the yard this month for that purpose after neighbours got a lend of them last year.

farmers101

AntrimGlens wrote: »

Mostly you would pick up a ram lamb Dorsets would be best for randiness and get the vet to vasectomise it. Costs about 60 squids here to get it done but not much overall if you tighten up lambing and save a lamb. I've done a few and sold three from the yard this month for that purpose after neighbours got a lend of them last year.

Can they work straight after getting the vet to do it?

AntrimGlens

advice would be to leave them 4-6 weeks before they're needed