Our 1st lambing season

[misfitmorgan]

I agree. Animals need to get along and not be attacking the others in the flock or herd. This ewe is beyond being a bully and needs to go. Either to the sale or freezer, but she needs to go. I don't think I would keep a ewe lamb from her, I wouldn't want those genetics in the flock. Sometimes you have to make the tough calls and it sounds like you are on the right track......now to bring your DH and son up to speed.......

I wouldnt be concerned on the genetics in a bottle raised ewe....they tend to have a better attitude. There is no 100% for sure on that though...i would try it but suffolk are not cheap up here.

 

[Annwise27]

I have personally come close to shooting her myself... sadly, the only reason my hubs and son want to keep her is because she was a bottle baby. She is bred but only because my husband put her in with the others when I wasn't home. I don't plan on keeping her offspring out of fear that they will be like her. (I heard that meanness may be in the generics?)

 

[RoahT]

So it's fine to put the ram in a stall by himself? Someone told me they have to have "company"... maybe that's not true. He is not particularly mean to the ewes, but he is not particularly friendly either. He's kinda bossy, and I definitely don't want him around when the babies are born, just in case. I have an extra stall I can put him in if necessary, although he might get upset about it. I do keep them inside the barn in the winter other than a small outside area, so I'm not extremely worried about frostbite. How easily do new lambs get it? This is my first lambing season, I've done cows for years but they are hardier I think?

 

[Annwise27]

So it's fine to put the ram in a stall by himself? Someone told me they have to have "company"... maybe that's not true. He is not particularly mean to the ewes, but he is not particularly friendly either. He's kinda bossy, and I definitely don't want him around when the babies are born, just in case. I have an extra stall I can put him in if necessary, although he might get upset about it. I do keep them inside the barn in the winter other than a small outside area, so I'm not extremely worried about frostbite. How easily do new lambs get it? This is my first lambing season, I've done cows for years but they are hardier I think?

Faith has been mostly by herself for the last 5 months. She can see and hear the others and our pony field butts up to hers (The fence isn't great or I'd put her with the ponies and let them teach her some manners ) I think your ram will be ok if he can at least see his lady friends but someone with much more experience than me can tell you for sure!

 

[misfitmorgan]

Ideally the ram would have a buddy, since it would only be for a short amount of time it should be ok. If the stall has a slatted door that would help. The idea is separate so he cant breed but you dont want him feeling like he is totally alone if possible. If you dont have one now you may consider making one of your ram lambs a wether so he can have a buddy when this time comes around again, or possibly finding a wether(tested for opp/johnes preferably).

If she was a bottle baby and is still a butt, i wouldnt keep kids either.