The Ram Effect : any experiences?

[shawnfisher]

I had a question as I was thinking today. Internet says keep rams away from ewes for 6 weeks. Does that mean once the six weeks are up you automatically put the ram in with the ewes? Or, do you put the ram beside the ewes after the 6 weeks and wait 14 days for the ewes to cycle then put the ram in with them.

depends on what your goal is- if you're after using the ram effect as a teaser- then you'll want them to cycle once before you turn them in... but if you're using the ram effect as a synch tool-- then you'll want to turn him in right away to work them all over good.

caution- turning bucks in this crazy heat-- might overwork them too much- and will result in later lambs than even doing it the old way.

 

[shawnfisher]

How far apart do the rames and ewes need to be? Our are probably 1/2 mle apart

far enough they can't smell each other... don't know there is a specific distance required.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

We always flush 2 weeks prior to breeding.

 

[bonbean01]

Not sure what kind of temperatures you have, but it gets pretty darn hot here in summer and it isn't until it cools down a bit in fall that our ewes are bred...ram is with them during the summer and each year lambs arrive in January. Lots of advice on the internet about this, but doesn't apply here with the heat. We have hair sheep, so they are not seasonal breeders, but the hot summers affect fertility in the ram and maybe also the ewes?

Always interested in how other sheep people do things, so keep us updated and hope it all works out well for you!

 

[Southdown]

We keep the ram away all Summer and put the ewes with him based on when we want the lambs to arrive. So far, it works right on the money. The ewes have the lambs very close to the anticipated due date. So the pregnancies resulted within a day or two of the introduction to the ram. It's also quite cold during this time and we can even have snow, so I believe the shorter daylight helps. Those randy rams get the job done just fine!