[Jacob-list] last fertile date question

[Linda]

I had one ewe last year that just didn't like my choice of her partner.  I finally gave up and put her with another ram on Christmas day.  She bred right away.  I frequently leave the groups together until Christmas, but seldom have lambs in May - but if I waited and introduced the ewes to the rams at Christmas, I bet I'd get alot of lambs in late May and June.  If I introduce them earlier (usually October), they are usually all bred within a month so I don't get May lambs.  I have purchased ewes that were born in the summer months, as late as August. 

Linda
PS - are you coming to MSWF in 2008?
 
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn


> Hi Jacob ListersA question for all of you -- how late are the ewes

> fertile?  My own experience is that some breeding happened until

> mid December.  Am wondering because I am cutting back on size of

> breeding this year partly because of the drought's affect on my

> pastures and partly because I had such a huge number (for me

> anyway) of lambs this year -- with 35.  I have in the past put all

> the flock back together in January but have set things up so I can

> keep boys and girls separate with two feeders if necessary.  

>

>

> I also am trying a different method of selecting my first breeding

> group this year.  I just set up my primary flock sire (Bideawee

> Maurice) with 8 ewes but I actually just opened a gate to let the

> ewes pick who wanted in with him : )  Actually I am not breeding

> any of the lamb ewes so avoided any daughters with him.  I did keep

> some out that wanted in but an interesting group.  Some of my

> 'best' ewes in terms of fleece and lamb quality!  hmmm

>

>

> Will rely on my younger ram lambs and progeny tests for the

> remainder of the season hopefully into December.

>

>

> take care all

> Ralene

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