Surprise!!

[LilyD]

That's what's funny. He was mounting the ewe pretty much all fall when they were together so we assumed she must be pregnant. Other than that though he had pretty small horns and had a super friendly temperament that was very unramish. I guess now we know why.

 

[Ariel301]

I'd bet he has testicles and they have not descended. Sometimes they will be retained inside the body, it's called cryptorchidism. Animals with this condition may or may not be sterile, but breeding them is a bad idea, because it can be genetic.

 

[Royd Wood]

Our Romney rams sack is as big as a cows udder and when the ewes are pregnant they dont let him mount again. I'm sure it will all work out in the end for you

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I'm so glad the breeder will take him back and give you a better ram! It's nice to hear stories like that, because many times the breeders don't keep their word.

Yep, he sounds like a cryptorchid. Don't be surprised if he did somehow breed your ewe. Most times the sperm is killed off from the increased temperature of being in the body, but they can surprise you now and then!

 

[rockdoveranch]

This is a very interesting article in the Merck Veterinary Manual on bilateral and unilateral cryptorchidism, and true monorchidism. It is about dogs . . . but still informative. I found it 18+ months ago when I brought home a Boxer pup that I learned the following day at the vets had only one descended testicle.

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/181901.htm&word=canine,cryptorchidism

I won't go into the abusive posts I received on a Boxer forum with show people, but I will say, my breeder and members of the American Boxer Club did not think it was a big deal. I left the forum.

 

[marliah]

uh-oh

I have been wondering why I can't see anything on my "ram" too....he was wold to me as a ram but is also a sweetie friendly guy. I can't find any real evidence of manhood on him :/ I bought him from a guy who had bought him on auction. He is also shetland. Good thing if he is sterile I can keep him in with my ewes and he can be a pet LOL. I think I will try to get a pic of him later.....he sure doesn't look like the photo of the ram that was posted here.

 

[TheSheepGirl]

Glad all worked out for you.

This should be a word of warning for those of you considering the purchase of a ram. Always check for fully developed testicles before you even consider forking over any money. Even on a lamb the testicles will be evident enough if you inspect him. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to give them a good feel for good measure.

I checked my Shetland ram over before purchasing him and his whether companion. He was 6 weeks old and those testicles were already hanging down pretty low and noticeable.

Sometimes people selling sheep just don't know enough about them to be certain that they are intact or they just didn't bother to look.