quick question ( sheep )

[boykin2010]

can donkeys be good companions for rams? i am already thinking about getting one donkey as a live stock guardians for the ewes. It wont be much trouble to get another one for the ram to hang out with.

 

[lasergrl]

The donkey will more then likely kill the lambs as they are born. Its actually the rare donkey that makes a good guardian. Usually a donkey that was born into a flock of sheep, raised for this purpose, is best.
Many people use llamas for companions. They are very good. I have a highland cow that makes a good protector. They are so primitive they retain their protective instincts.

I really would suggest a soay ram if you want to keep them together, they are mellow and small (alot less dangerous). kat rams can be jerks. And they are HUGE.
I had a painted desert ram in with my ewes all last year. He was a gentlemen and actually would protect me from the bull. Kat rams are more aggressive and their size puts you in danger. Using a small colorfull ram would really work well for you since you want pet lambs. I have two soay ewes and cant say enough good things about the breed.

BTW I love boykins

This is a picture to demonstrate why kat rams can be so dangerous. Look how big this fella is next to my 2 1/2 year old highland cow!

 

[MandyH]

WE have 7 ewes and I have been putting off buying a ram for this very reason. I wouldn't mind having lambs year round, but I have heard more than once that the rams get a little testy with you (more so when it's breeding time). Good luck and let us know how it all turns out.

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
Your choice doesn't have to be either/or on a ram, you know. You could buy a ram lamb for the breeding season and resell him at the end....if you buy one at 6-7 mo., which is adequate sexual maturity for breeding, and resell him after having him with your girls for 2 mo., you can still sell him as a meat lamb(still considered market lamb up until 12 mo.). You shouldn't lose money on your investment and may even make more. I bought a ram lamb for $100, kept him for a little while and resold at $139~and that was during the worst market time in the middle of the summer.

For the time you have your ram lamb, you can keep him with your girls at all times. He is still small and manageable and hasn't really gotten as ornery as a full grown ram yet. No separate penning solutions, no dangerous moments during feeding times, no need for companion animals.

If this is not an option for you, rent or borrow a ram just for the times you wish to breed and take him back home when you are done. Simple!

I've done both options and found they both suited my small acreage and fencing/penning setup to a "T".

Good luck!!!

 

[boykin2010]

wow i never thought of that beekissed that just might work. I know katahdin rams are big and dangerous but i guess i will have to pay extra special attention on him. i didnt know donkeys would kill the lambs! I have heard so many good things about them! I have looked for llamas but there are none for sale in my area. I dont know what to do!
Are 6-7 month rams adequate enough for breeding compared to a full grown mature ram? will the lambs be the same size and health if they came from a ram lamb compared to a full grown ram.

 

[Beekissed]

Yes! Ram lambs are perfect for small flocks and the genetics for the size of lambs is in each ram, youth is no barrier to that. If your ram lamb is going to eventually be a big, meaty ram upon maturity, his offspring will be the same. What he lacks in experience, he gains in youthful vigor and the raging hormones of a teenager...

A ram lamb is not big and dangerous....and he still lacks the confidence around humans that a full grown ram has developed. He is still fearful and cautious around the two legged predator....not that he can't become a little ornery when he is in love.

He's just not as heavy and experienced about doing anything about it.

Keep in mind, when it comes to breeding~a three mo. old ram lamb has the maturity to breed his own mama.

 

[vebyrd36]

[ihttp://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae336/vebyrd36/022.jpg][/

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Puppies to be born end of January..

 

[Beekissed]

 

[boykin2010]

i dont get it what is vebryd trying to say? i dont get it? is she trying to say some wolves are gonna be born in january? i live in south ga and there are no wolves here???

 

[Beekissed]

That looks like it could be a 'yote to me and they are everywhere! A couple of GPs works well against these and your electric fencing will also deter them.