[Jacob-list] last fertile date question

[Meg Steensland]

In 2003 I got a 2003 ram from a guy in Marion for my then 6 ewes (3 2003 lambs)- he rested his weary head on the big 2002 one and I thought he was claiming her and would breed in the fall. At the start of hunting season, I moved girls to the barn and boys (2) to the horsetrailer w/llama boy.  The shearer came in March and said nobody was bred!  So, I let the breeding ram back in and he bred 3 of the 6 in the two weeks I gave him producing 5 AUGUST lambs- one of which went to the Columbus (OH) zoo in Dec and is still there as far as I know.
   
  We had a June 8 ram lamb this past summer in OH.from a Jan breeding.
   
  Meg

Ralene Mitschler <rmitschler at gmail.com> wrote:
  Hi Jacob Listers  A 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

-- 
Ralene R. Mitschler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
McDaniel College
2 College Hill
Westminster MD  21157
410.857.2406

Ralene Mitschler 
Chicory Lane Farm Jacob sheep
www.blueflowerflock.com
687 Oxford Ave
Hanover PA  17331
rmitschler at gmail.com
717.630.2988 
717.817.3794 cell 
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