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What is the best ram for ewe lambs?
Use ‘easy’ lambing rams: farmer experience would suggest that Vendeen, Charollais, Belclare and Lleyn are some of the breeds that are scoring well here. If you are selecting a ram with Euro Star ratings, opt for one that has five stars for lambing.
How do I choose a ram for my sheep?
The ram’s testicles should be palpated to determine that they are well-developed and normal. They should be firm, evenly sized, and move freely within the scrotum. Both the testicles and epididymis should be free from lumps. A rams with a smaller than average scrotal circumference should not be selected for breeding.
Can different breeds of sheep mate?
There are several crossbreeding systems that can be used on sheep farms. Terminal crossing makes maximum use of both heterosis and breed complementarity. It may utilize two, three, or four breeds, and can be as simple as crossing two pure breeds.
How many rams do you need per ewe?
Ram to Ewe Ratio A ram can usually mate 3 to 4 ewes per day. In general, the recommended ratio for mature rams is 1:35 to 1:50. In large flocks, the percentage of rams to ewes is often higher. Ratios of 1:100 or 1:150 are not uncommon.
How long should a ram be in with ewes?
Rams should be joined with ewes for two 17 day cycles (5 weeks). Extending the joining periods is not recommended on more intensively run farms, as this holds up the completion of important management events such as marking and weaning.
How long does it take for a ram to mate with a ewe?
Controlled joining can be anything from 6 weeks to 6 months. When working out the optimum length of joining, it’s important to consider the number of joining opportunities your ewes will have to cycle. Under ideal circumstances, good conception rates can be achieved from a 6-week joining.
How do I choose the best breeding ram?
Testes: Sperm takes six to eight weeks to be produced and to mature before tupping so ideally rams need assessing 10 weeks pre-tupping. Testes should be firm but springy and a good size. Check for lumps, adhesions and evenness in size. Measure scrotal circumference: AHDB has resources and tape measures for this.
How long do you leave rams in with ewes?
How many sheep can one ram breed?
Fertile adult rams can serve at least 5 ewes per day, so over a 34 days breeding season (2 full estrus cycles), one ram could theoretically service over 150 ewes.
How long do you leave Rams in with ewes?