[Jacob-list] Breeding ewe lambs

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/16/03 6:31:35 PM Central Daylight Time, 
Scottjr209 at aol.com writes:

<< Is the best way to get sheep pregnant to pin up a ewe and a ram in a pin 
or 
 just let them run wild, and wait for it to happen????  I don't have a big 
flock 
 only two rams, and six ewes all only eight months old.  although two of the 
 six ewes are two years old, but both rams are only eight months old.
 
 
 Scott
 Galt, CA >>

Two thoughts: (1) If you have registered Jacobs, pedigree integrity is 
warranted.  Letting two rams run with six ewes simultaeneously will create a 
paternity question.  Certainly solvable but at a cost for integrity.  On th other 
hand, you may want to avoid breeding brother/sisters or close relatives.   (2) 
While the age of the ewe is one measure of successful ewe lamb breeding, weight 
of the ewe lamb relative to mature weight is considered a more important 
measure.  Generally speaking, a ewe lamb should be at least 50% of the mature 
weight . .  thus approximately 50 to 60 pounds for a Jacob.

Fred Horak