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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 155
CHAPTER 9
BREEDING
The best time for lambing various greatly accordingly to your geographical area when good pasture is available, suitable weather conditions, targeted lamb markets and such like. Examine your priorities and plan to breed around 5 months before you want your lambs to be born.
If you want to minimize the cost of labor or the cost of hay or grain, then your lambing time should be timed to take advantage of new pasture growth.
If you live in a part of the world that has moderate winters and hot summers, you may choose to bred in the autumn or early winter to maximize weight gain on account of the fact that you can expect poor weight gain for lambs born in hot temperatures. The key to lambing depends on your climate.
Reproductive Functions:
Not all ewes conform to the rules, and therefore the following is general:
1. First estrus: When a lamb reaches at least 6 months of age and weighs two-thirds of the adult weight the first estrus occurs. However, there are breeds known for coming into estrus as early as 4 to 5 months of age.
2. Length of estrous cycle: This ranges between 14 to 19 days between cycles, however, 17 days is the average. If all your ewes have been put with a ram for 34 days, they should have had two estrous cycles in which to breed.
BREEDING
The best time for lambing various greatly accordingly to your geographical area when good pasture is available, suitable weather conditions, targeted lamb markets and such like. Examine your priorities and plan to breed around 5 months before you want your lambs to be born.
If you want to minimize the cost of labor or the cost of hay or grain, then your lambing time should be timed to take advantage of new pasture growth.
If you live in a part of the world that has moderate winters and hot summers, you may choose to bred in the autumn or early winter to maximize weight gain on account of the fact that you can expect poor weight gain for lambs born in hot temperatures. The key to lambing depends on your climate.
Reproductive Functions:
Not all ewes conform to the rules, and therefore the following is general:
1. First estrus: When a lamb reaches at least 6 months of age and weighs two-thirds of the adult weight the first estrus occurs. However, there are breeds known for coming into estrus as early as 4 to 5 months of age.
2. Length of estrous cycle: This ranges between 14 to 19 days between cycles, however, 17 days is the average. If all your ewes have been put with a ram for 34 days, they should have had two estrous cycles in which to breed.