Ram with ewes 24/7

[secuono]

Since Babydoll Southdown sheep are seasonal breeders, can I keep the ram with the ewes from day one?
I'm getting two freshly weaned ewes in Spring, can I get a same aged ram, too? I assume yes because of the seasonal breeding. He would just grow up with them and only be interested once they go into heat triggered by shorter days.
Can that same ram live with them the next spring if they did breed and now would be lambing season? Or would I have to remove him for a certain period of time? I don't see how he would be an issue since the ewes are not in heat, the ewes might be more protective if anything.

I would much rather have him live with the sheep year round than have him and a wether in a pen or rent/buy and resell/kill him after his use is done.

I know I would have to watch the ram all the time when out in the field, please don't mention that a zillion times. :/

 

[SheepGirl]

I would probably not be a good idea to keep the ram with the ewes 24/7. For one, you won't be able to control when he breeds the ewes...which means you will have no idea when the ewes will lamb (unless you keep a marking harness on him) and you will not know when to vaccinate them. Another problem it presents is that when lambing season arrives, the rams may act aggressive towards the lambs. We had a ram once kill a day old lamb by bashing into him because he was in his way.

If I were you, I would buy two rams so that way you can use both of them for at least two breeding seasons, and you can keep them separated together.

From Sheep 201:

It is recommended that rams be kept separate from ewes except during planned breeding seasons, typically the length of two (not more than three) heat periods (~34-51 days). If a ram is allowed to run with the ewes continuously, the shepherd will not be in control of breeding. Lambs may be born at undesirable times. Ewes may be bred when they are in poor body condition. The ram may breed his daughters and dam. Undersized ewe lambs may be bred.

Because the times of breeding and lambing will not be not known, it will be difficult to properly time vaccinations, supplemental feeding, and other management practices. Ewes will be at different stages of gestation and lactation, so it will be difficult to feed them to meet their nutritional needs. Some will likely be overfed; others, underfed.

It is not possible to take advantage of the "ram effect" if rams and ewes are continuously mixed. A ram that is housed with ewes is likely to be overfed, as a ram does not require as concentrated a diet as pregnant and lactating ewes. Some rams may be too aggressive to be housed with pregnant ewes.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Plus, even though they are seasonal breeders the ewe lambs most likely will not be big enough to be bred as lambs.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I know I would have to watch the ram all the time when out in the field, please don't mention that a zillion times. :/

Yeah, he may take you down at the knee.

 

[secuono]

I guess I'll be sitting on him then, hopefully I'll be carrying something heavy and really get my point across.

Anyway, I am reading there are 3 breeding times in the fall, each a month long and that he should be with them during that time. Two or more moth longs. If that's the case, it's pointless to worry about when the lambing will start because it could be 3 different months all together....

Even if you go with two months and not 3, it's still not going to help with the vacs that should be 1 month before hand.



Is 20ft by 250-300ft area enough for two mini rams? It is our easement area, it's over grown and no one uses it, I have clear access to it. It may be wider than just 20ft and it does taper down to...well, I'm not sure. I haven't gone that far down, kinda scary with all those evil vines w/thorns. And then the tall grass and mini trenches..lol.
One side[our side] is field fencing and the other is 6 lines[well, they don't care for the fence care, so 4 lines here and there] of barbed wire. I would add more lines to the lower half as well as tie them together to make a fence similar to field fencing. I do this with my pony's fencing, since otherwise he can squeeze through. Sheep won't be able to do that if I do the same to their fence. As for shelter, I can make something on skids or wheels so I can move it out easily if the need ever arises.

 

[SheepGirl]

I don't understand what you mean by "breeding times." Ewes come into heat, on average, about every 17 days. Usually rams are in with the ewes for two heat cycles (about 34 days/1 month), though some breeders leave them in for three to four cycles (51-68 days). I know my Babydoll cross ewes come into heat starting in early/mid October and last until about January if they weren't bred.

The place you have described (20'x300') is just over 1/8 of an acre. There is no doubt more than enough room (sheep really only need 30-50 sq ft of space per head in an open lot), but if you were thinking of pasturing them, you will likely run out of grass and you will have to feed hay.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Secuono, would it be an option for you to bring your ewes back to the breeder's place to be bred? That would save you cost of keeping rams. If not, the place you described (the easement) would be plenty big for them.

 

[secuono]

I emailed her if she did rent out rams or the such, waiting on a reply.

 

[secuono]

Lady is selling off all her Babydoll sheep. Buying a trio, black ram and two white ewes. She keeps them all together until the lambs are 9mo, then those lambs are separated so they won't be bred young.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

There is still a chance those lambs could be bred if she's leaving them with the ram until 9 mos!