Slaughtering hair sheep ram lambs in the fall

[farmerwithquestions]

I'm new to raising sheep. I have 14 St. Croix yearling ewes that I bred to a large NISP Katahdin ram last fall resulting in 17 lambs this spring. I'm about to wean and I'm wondering what to do with my ram lambs. My plan is to leave them intact and run them in a separate field with their dad until butchering them in the fall. We plan to feed grass only. I've had quite a bit of interest in their meat and was planning to sell most of them as wholes, while keeping a couple for our own consumption. I have 2-4 especially nice looking boys with great growth rates that I was hoping to sell as potential homestead flock sires. The rams' sire is a friendly-natured 5 year-old gentleman. The remaining lambs, I wanted to butcher in the late fall to take advantage of as much grass as I can before winter. Would the meat be tainted if I butcher at this time? Would I have to overwinter them on hay and spring-slaughter? Or would it be best to use a burdizzo on them now to ensure the meat is taint-free? Thanks so much for your input.

 

[Baymule]

Young rams should be fine, just keep the girls away from them.

 

[SageHill]

For what it’s worth we had one of our 5 month old ram lambs butchered last year (Dorper cross) and the result was the best lamb I’ve ever had and my SIL who doesn’t care for lamb loved it.

 

[farmerwithquestions]

For what it’s worth we had one of our 5 month old ram lambs butchered last year (Dorper cross) and the result was the best lamb I’ve ever had and my SIL who doesn’t care for lamb loved it.

Did you butcher in the fall?

 

[farmerwithquestions]

Young rams should be fine, just keep the girls away from them.

So I should be able to do the deed in the fall during mating season, so long as the boys are separated from the girls? And the meat won't taste off?

 

[SageHill]

Did you butcher in the fall?

Born in July butchered in December

 

[Mini Horses]

Also, don't mix an actively breeding ram with those young ones. Separate those young boys away from all sex. testosterone....smell is 98% of the game.

 

[SageHill]

Oh and I also separated the ram lamb from the adult ram --- I didn't want the freezer camp ram lamb to get bruised with the adult pushing him around.

 

[Baymule]

So I should be able to do the deed in the fall during mating season, so long as the boys are separated from the girls? And the meat won't taste off?

Yes it will be ok

 

[farmerwithquestions]

Also, don't mix an actively breeding ram with those young ones. Separate those young boys away from all sex. testosterone....smell is 98% of the game.

Ha! Makes sense....or in this case scents.