patandchickens
Overrun with beasties
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Now that it's getting towards time to do this, I am feeling all ignorant and insecure and disorganized again, so it is opinion poll time 
I have a 2 yr old shetland ewe, and two dairybred (British Milksheep X Dorset) ewe-lambs. The dairy ewe-lambs were born in January, so they are reasonably mature, and the woman who sold them to me said it would be okay to breed them this year but she'd wait til November or December so they are well-grown.
I would prefer early April lambs if at all possible, ideally not later than early May lambs, for various personal-scheduling reasons. (e.t.a. - I do of course realize that whatever happens happens, and I can live with that
)
I assume they are probably all cycling but b/c they are in a location not easily seen from the house have not really been able to observe well. Some days one or the other does seem to stick closely to the fenceline shared with the ram pen (*hopefully* he has not already bred anyone thru the fence, but I can't be certain), but other than that, I have no clue.
So when would you chuck the ram in with them?
All opinions and rationales appreciated,
Pat

I have a 2 yr old shetland ewe, and two dairybred (British Milksheep X Dorset) ewe-lambs. The dairy ewe-lambs were born in January, so they are reasonably mature, and the woman who sold them to me said it would be okay to breed them this year but she'd wait til November or December so they are well-grown.
I would prefer early April lambs if at all possible, ideally not later than early May lambs, for various personal-scheduling reasons. (e.t.a. - I do of course realize that whatever happens happens, and I can live with that

I assume they are probably all cycling but b/c they are in a location not easily seen from the house have not really been able to observe well. Some days one or the other does seem to stick closely to the fenceline shared with the ram pen (*hopefully* he has not already bred anyone thru the fence, but I can't be certain), but other than that, I have no clue.
So when would you chuck the ram in with them?
All opinions and rationales appreciated,
Pat