@Baymule Weller will either be going to freezer camp or sold. We do not plan on keeping him or breeding him to any of our ewes
How do I know if he is breeding sire material? When do I have to separate him?
I’ve actually seen ram lambs breeding ewes before 2 months old, just not fertile yet. But at 3 months old, they are fertile and sure can mess up your breeding schedule. I wean rams at 2 to 2 1/2 months old. I leave the ewe lambs until 3 months, 4 months at the longest and by that time the ewe is about dried up anyway. If the ewe is getting run down in condition, I wean at 3 months. Almost never at 4 months.
Band or castrate Weller soon. It’s easier to grow out a wether for the freezer. You can run him with the ewes until freezer camp. I used to castrate my ram lambs and named them all Dinner. Now I just don’t bother with a name. I only castrate a few, rest go to auction after weaning.
Breeding ram. Long straight back ( lamb chops). Fullest hind quarters (leg of lamb). Good hair coat. Wide chest, no narrow shoulders. No horns or scurs. Personal choice. They are allowed but I don’t like them. Occasionally a ram lamb will have little nubs, he’s gone to auction. Thankfully it’s very seldom.
And I like a good attitude. I won’t deal with a mean ram or any other animal. Young rams can be feisty but most settle down. I have 2 young rams. Both have had one breeding season, Rocky is calming down. Little Ringo is still a jerk, but it starting to get a glimmer. I keep a hoe handle by the gate. If either one starts backing up preparing to ram, if close enough, I’ll slap their nose. Never their head! If not close enough, I poke them with hoe handle, never hit and definitely not on their head. Both run to the fence for animal crackers. If they are in my front yard, I’ll sit on the porch steps and give them animal crackers.
not sure what’s going on there.
