In-Breeding and Line-breeding

[Ridgetop]

I agree with everything everyone has said. With only 3 ewes you do not need 3 rams. Since Bruce is the only ram you can use on all 3 ewes put the other rams in freezer. Breed Bruce to ewes trying for ewe lambs and keep all the ewes. What was the reason for going with Awassis? If there are particular reasons for choosing a breed which is difficult to find replacement stock in your area, make sure you keep that as your focus in your breeding plan.

The ram is 50% of the herd so you want to get a new ram as soon as possible once you have built up the number of ewes. Since the purest Awassi you can get is 99.97% try for one of them If you want milking sheep, and can't get a 99.97% Awassi, get an Awassi crossed with another milk breed which fits your specifications.

Since you live far from any possible Awassi breeders, contact even far away breeders via their websites. Call and talk to them gathering all info you can on conformation to look for, etc. Most dairy animals have 50 points of the conformation in the udder attachments, teats, etc. Once you know what you want in a stud ram, see if the breeder will ship. You can ship 3 month old rams and bucks on airlines that ship dogs and other animals. Make sure that you conform to the health requirements. Many breeders will take orders for breeding stock ahead of time and you can pick it up when old enough. Or plan a road trip to pick up the ram. Depending on how far you have to travel, a 3 month old ram can ride comfortably in an extra large dog crate.

Final step - CULL, CULL, CULL! Oh yes! and have fun!

 

[Mini Horses]

I see some breeders in Illinois & Wisconsin. If I wanted the breed, I would not consider that too far to travel for them. Even ship them. One had a fullblood Awassi ram kid for sale, brown. Australia & New Zealand ship semen. Of course, you will need a vet and $$$. I'd check out these other farms first. Where did you obtain you stock?

I see a milk goat breeder listing forming at http://www.milkingsheep.com/dairy-sheep-breeder-directory/ Some Awassi blood there not sure of % as many times crossbred is most available.

 

[Ridgetop]

I drove from California to Texas to obtain the LGD I wanted. Twice. I will be driving to Virginia from California for my 3rd LGD. Maybe you could combine it with a vacation trip. Do sightseeing on the way to the ranch, pick up the ram and hightail it for home.

 

[mysunwolf]

I drove from California to Texas to obtain the LGD I wanted. Twice. I will be driving to Virginia from California for my 3rd LGD. Maybe you could combine it with a vacation trip. Do sightseeing on the way to the ranch, pick up the ram and hightail it for home.

Let us know before you go, I may need some stock from CA!

 

[Donna R. Raybon]

If you do your taxes with farm as a business you can write off trip to pick up a ram or a dog as expense.

 

[Ridgetop]

Yes, we do that. What stock do you want from California? If we were pulling the stock trailer to pick up livestock no problem. But we are taking our 5th wheel to Fort Worth, spending some time visiting friends, then sightseeng into VA. We will pick up the puppy (4 months when we arrive), return through Austin (Leander) to visit Erick Conard. We can travel with the dog in the truck and crate her at night in the trailer, but won't have the stock trailer. We will be several weeks on the road traveling to VA.

 

[mysunwolf]

Some nice dairy breeders out that way, but it would be adult ewes so no go without the trailer. I hate the idea of leaving my property for the length of time needed for a cross-country road trip, but if I didn't have the animals it sounds like it would be fun!

 

[Ridgetop]

Is there anyone that can house sit and ranch sit? May be you can house trade with another BYH person who wants to visit the east coast for a vacation? Of course that wouldn't be much of a vacation! LOL

Is there an AG college around you? FFA or 4-H groups that might be able to do the work for pay. If you are milking you will need milkers but if you plan for when the girls are dry . . . ?

 

[Ridgetop]

Or if you could ship, you could get lambs instead of adults. If you buy from a breeder with milk records and evaluation records, you can choose young stock which might be cheaper too.

 

[Baymule]

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