mysunwolf lambing 2016

mysunwolf

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We thought we would have our first lambs in 2014, but we were sorely mistaken! The seller was not truthful about the bred status of our girls.

The next misstep to the whole lambing thing was discovering that our ram lamb purchased for fall 2014 breeding was infertile.

After these problems, we finally bought a proven ram, but he turned out to be very aggressive. We are still trying to sell him for pennies as a known aggressive ram, but not having much luck. However, he is a nice looking guy. We may turn him into mutton if he is not sold soon.

We are very excited for the chance to finally have some lambs born on the property in spring 2015. I have four ewe lambs and three ewes. If all went well, lambing will go from the beginning of April to the end of May. We are going to be as hands-off as possible when it comes to the whole process as we are only interested in preserving easy keepers. My neighbors are very knowledgeable (they have been raising a 30-40 head herd of market sheep for 10+ years), and I may be relying on them when the time comes.

Here's the ram:
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Southern by choice

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Wow! So sorry for the bad start to things. :(
Very glad you got a proven ram, he looks nice too!
Nice looking ladies you got there! :)
 

Bossroo

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For best results of meat sheep ... the only one of the bunch worth keeping and breeding is the all white ewe.:old
 

mysunwolf

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Thanks Southern and Bossroo! I agree that Darla is the nicest of them, she got fat on pasture with a tiny bit of wheat in the evenings. I think she's got Dorper in her is why she gained so well. The only problem is she has single lambs (or so I've been told), bad hooves, and is extremely skittish o_O They all have ups and downs. I thought Cow also had potential as a big-framed ewe.

We may be looking into milk production in addition to the meat, so we'll see what their udders look like come spring. I know for a fact that the red ewe has low milk production, but not sure on everyone else.
 

Southern by choice

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@mysunwolf I asked a friend to take a look at your ewes. I thought they looked pretty good but I have goats not sheep.... anyway, she is a really great Katahdin breeder with a flock ranging from 200-400...depending on the year. She is very good with this breed... I would say close to an expert...if not one...

She peeked in and this is what she had to say....

I don't see a darn thing wrong with those sheep, from the pictures
I think they look great, yes I can see the age difference and all but the older and young look
good
wink.png
and I really like that ram and you can tell them if they get him into a small lot or barn
stall and keep him up for a while and go in and flip him over on his butt everyday twice a day for
as long as they can stand it, heck if they have time once a day would be great, flipping him over
on his butt will cause him to learn after some time that he doesn't want anything to do with getting
to close to humans in the future
 

bonbean01

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I am no expert at all....but liked the looks of your pretty gals too...I have a handful of sheep...dorper, katahdin and crosses of the two....Of course, with my thing for pretty markings, my favourite gal was Drusilla :) Can't see one ewe in your beautiful flock that I would not breed and expect beautiful babies from!!!! Good luck!!!
 

mysunwolf

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@Southern by choice thank you so much! That makes me feel a lot better about them to have a large-scale breeder say that :)

And thank you bon, I LOVE your sheep and their colors!

I also like this ram a lot and think he has great potential... but sadly I can't flip him. I had him drag me around the barn a few times with me trying to get him on his butt :eek: He smells awful too since it's that time of year.

I can't wait to see the lambs we get. With any luck, we'll be able to keep two of this ram's ram lambs and pick one to use for breeding next fall.

Sheep are so fun :celebrate
 

bonbean01

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:weeeYES!!!!!! I agree!!! Sheep are so fun and so loving (well...rams are butt heads) and I love having them so much!!! Can't wait for your lambs!!!! And is still want Drusilla ;) She totally looks like she belongs here....hahahahahahaha!
 
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