Teresa and Mike Lambing Thread Winter 2019 Part2

[shp123]

Being newbies with raising sheep, we are ecstatic with our lambing experience. We bought 3 ewes and 1 ram just before xmas. All 3 ewes turned out to be bred. The two younger ewes gave birth to single. They both looked strong but we didn't think to weigh it at birth. The third older ewe gave birth to twins. We are very happy that our flock double in size in matters of weeks. Our goal for flock size is about twelve as we only have 2 acres divided in 2 paddock at present.

All lambs are ewe lambs, 4 out of 4. What is the odds of that? We were actually hoping to get at least one ram lamb so we can harvest him in the fall. Would it be a wasteful to harvest a ewe? what do people do?

 

[Mike CHS]

All lambs are ewe lambs, 4 out of 4. What is the odds of that? We were actually hoping to get at least one ram lamb so we can harvest him in the fall. Would it be a wasteful to harvest a ewe? what do people do?

We haven't harvested any of our ewes since we have had plenty of rams to fill the need for us plus some sales. I don't know if my bride would let me slaughter one of our ewes but we do sell to the market and to private buyers to keep our numbers down. We went from 10 to over 50 in a fairly short time but we can only keep that many during the few prime grass months so our over winter numbers are between 20-30.

 

[Baymule]

If all 4 ewe lambs grow off and are fine animals, keep them. If there is one or two that doesn't make the cut, eat them.

Breed the best, eat the rest.

We started with 4 bred ewes. I have sold or sent to slaughter the lambs that didn't meet my standards. Most of the ewe lambs I kept, but not all. We have 9 ewes now.

 

[farmerjan]

Harvesting a ewe is not any different than a ram. Watch how they grow, if one is a little slower, or smaller, or isn't as thrifty, or needs worming more often, that is the one you want to finish and eat. We will eat a heifer just as easily as a steer in the cattle. They take a little longer to finish, and will be a little lighter, but are good eating.

One thing, make sure the ram is not with the ewe lambs by the time they hit 2-3 months old. Although the females don't get sexually active quite as quick as the ram lambs, you do not want them bred too young.

 

[Mike CHS]

We are two weeks away before the younger ewes start to lamb. We have one that doesn't feel in as good condition as the rest so we went out to the field and got hold of here to pull a fecal sample. I love being able to walk up to them to do what needs to be done. We are on moving the older bunch out of the nursery pen and then move this group in.

 

[Mike CHS]

I was going out to feed Maisy this morning and saw one of the ewes in labor. I didn't get a good picture but I didn't want to disturb her yet. I'm hoping this group will go fast but I know there may be as much as a month or more gap.

 

[Baymule]

Awww......a new baby!

 

[Mike CHS]

This one doesn't seem too thrifty but mom is feeding and staying with her so we shall see.

 

[Baymule]

I have two little runts. Their moms love them, nurture them and are as proud of their runts as a big strapping healthy lamb. First time mothers, I'm thinking their next lambing will go better. Both runts are twins, one set, both lived. The other set, the bigger lamb was dead, still in the sac.

 

[Mike CHS]

I'll take a closer look when I go out to feed but there is a set of twins (one black spotted) and another single in the field this morning.