We picked up a new ram last week. He is adjusting nicely to his new home. Currently he is out grazing with the ewes and lambs because he is still a lamb himself. We will need a new ram next year, and thought he might be a good choice.
It is hard to select a ram when they are lambs as you never know how they will do or act when fully grown. It is almost like trying to predict how a kid will be as an adult.
So far, I am happy with our purchase as he is very well tempered, and very timid around people. Our current ram, who we have had since last year, has always been very friendly toward people, which at the start of breeding season last year turned to agression. He's still agressive when he wants to be. Which is why I let my husband deal with the ram.
In a few weeks, both rams will be living together in their new pasture. It is good to keep the ram seperate from the ewes until breeding because it helps the ewes to come in heat around the same time. This makes the lambing season shorter, and more predictable, as you know within a certain time frame when the lambs will arrive, and when they should stop arriving based on the time that the ram was with them.
Keeping the ram seperate, also keeps the ewes calmer as he is not always bothering or bullying them.
Right now, the older ram is separated in his own stall in the barn which means he has limited time on pasture, as the ewes and lambs have the run of the pasture most of the day.
We are anxious to get the new ram quarters built so that he can be on pasture more regularly.
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