O.K. I've never done the sheep thing and need to ask you all a couple of questions .I have 3 ewes and there boy friend will be coming soon .We live in Northern N.Y. if that makes a difference .

They are Fin/Dorset x's. How long is gestation ? Any shot's needed before breeding ? When will they come into season ? Any special treatment at any time of pregnancy ?And please add in anything I forgot .Thank you ~ Patty

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), August 24, 2000

Answers

We usually put the ram in by mid-Aug in order to get early lambs. Our daughter used to show and the state rules were the lambs had to be born after Jan 31. After trying to hit that date a few times we started earlier and usually got mostly early Feb lambs and a few Jan. lambs. Gestation is approx 5 months.

We generally worm them, but that is about it.

If you are doing early lambs, you should have a shelter that is fairly draft free for them to lamb in. We put heat lamps on the babies for the first few days if it is really cold out. Also if these are first time mothers, you need to watch them carefully (every few hours) when they are due to make sure that they are not having any problems. We have had to pull a few lambs and had a mummy lamb last year that the mother never did deliver (she went to sale).

We live in Iowa and the weather is always unpredictable.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), August 24, 2000.

Thanks I would like to lamb in March as Jan or Feb can get to -35 for a few days and hubby object to house guests.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), August 24, 2000.

Then you need to wait until at least mid-Sept to put the ram in with the ladies. I know about those -35 days as we get them here in Iowa too. My hubby gave up on trying to keep us from bringing in babies. Had a goat in the house for about a month once - the mother rejected her - she still thinks she needs to come in the house and she is 18 mos now.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), August 24, 2000.

Beckie is right about wanting to wait until at least September to put the ram in, but just so you know, Finn/Dorset crosses will probably breed most any time of the year you want to breed them. They aren't as seasonal as most other breeds. Good luck with them.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), August 24, 2000.

THanks , what does everyone use for wormers?

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), August 24, 2000.

When I was raising sheep, before I decided to go with something more intelligent, like turkeys (sorry, sheep folks!), I always introduced the ram on Halloween. Now you will get a better price if you raise for the Easter market, but I only had 8 ewes, and had little problem selling the lambs either in the freezer or on the hoof. We're in Maine, and with a gestation of 5 months, this meant our lambs were born @ 1 April. The advantage here is that I did not have to worry about being in the barn at all hours of the night to be sure the newborns weren't chilled. But don't wait too long! A neighbor decided to breed in December, and his productivity was dreadful. I used Ivermectin for worming. Get the horse wormer, and dose for the weight of the sheep. It's a paste, and apparently tasty, as I never had any problem, such as those you get when trying to jam a bolus down their throats, even with the "applicator". Settle down, sheep fanciers! I really do like the sheepies, but have found piggies to be easier and frankly, more profitable. I buy weaners in the spring and butcher @ 1 Nov. I like not having to care for them through the winter! GL!

-- Brad (Homefixer@SacoRiver.net), August 24, 2000.

Hey Brad, I'm looking for homestead raised pork. Do you think we might be able to work a deal to have you ship me some of your piggie meat?

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), August 25, 2000.

Sure, Colleen! We are about 15 mile west of Portland, Maine. Just stop by at your leisure and we can also load your cooler with lobsters and clams! GL!

-- Brad (Homefixer@SacoRiver.net), August 28, 2000.

I don't mess around with my sheep much. The ram stays in all year, and I don't do shots either. No health problems in my flock, and all the ewes lambed unassisted. Started with seven ewes and a ram in the Summer of 1998 and I'm up to 27 now. Leaving the ram in has made a Supermom out of one of my Suffolks, she's had three sets of twins, the most recent set was born on July 4th. They go to 80 pounds at weaning (120 days). Not bad, since they aren't jugged or creep fed. Not all sheep are fragile and/or stupid. You get what you select for, and I want strong ones that grow fast and have good wool. So far, I'm pleased with my flock.

TTYS Karen

-- Karen Raymond (KRWizWork@yahoo.com), August 29, 2000.

I don't mess around with my sheep much. The ram stays in all year, and I don't do shots either. No health problems in my flock, and all the ewes lambed unassisted. Started with seven ewes and a ram in the Summer of 1998 and I'm up to 27 now. Leaving the ram in has made a Supermom out of one of my Suffolks, she's had three sets of twins, the most recent set was born on July 4th. They go to 80 pounds at weaning (120 days). Not bad, since they aren't jugged or creep fed. Not all sheep are fragile and/or stupid. You get what you select for, and I want strong ones that grow fast and have good wool. So far, I'm pleased with my flock.

TTYS Karen

-- Karen Raymond (KRWizWork@yahoo.com), August 29, 2000.