What are the chances of empty ewes going inlamb next year?

DJ98

As above the ewes are young two year old mountain sheep.

ganmo

Same as they were this year.
If they were with the ram last year(and didn't go in lamb) I'd gate them now but if it's their first year they could easily go in lamb next year

DJ98

This year was there first year.

Western Pomise

DJ98 wrote: »

This year was there first year.

Would give them another chance,maybe just put an I.D tag in them so you know them for next backend and look after them well dosing wise before going with ram next Autumn.

sea12

It depends if you've big numbers or small numbers. If they are only a couple of empty it is handier to keep and chance for next year especially if you have the grass.

Mostly you need to buy in a pen of 10 at a time so if you sell 3 or 4 you go down in numbers or you boy in 10 next year.

If you have big numbers obviously that doesn't affect you

MayoAreMagic

Some mountain ewes can get missed the first year around. Maybe a cold blast of weather or maybe a late burst of worms - where older sheep would have built up an immunity - could effect them. Or they could just have been a little bit late as a lamb or something. But they would be all the stronger next year, and should go in lamb without issue. If you can let them off to a hill out of your way, they would be fine.
I know some guys who don't run mountain ewes at all the first year. They maintain that the ewe will grow over that year and the lamb she didn't give you the first year, will be given back a couple of times over in multiple births derived from the years grace she had while still young and growing. In fairness, as regards mountain sheep anyway, there is probably some truth in it.