More tips on Ram Management
Emphasis is
placed on ram fitness, and yet very few farmers exercise their rams before the
mating season.
Ram Effect
The introduction
of rams early in the breeding season stimulates ewes to ovulate within 3–6 days
(without showing oestrus, if this is the first ovulation of the breeding season)
and show oestrus about 17 days later.
Ewe flocks
stimulated by the ram effect are thus likely to be synchronized.
Rams introduced several weeks before normal onset of
oestrus may have no effect and late introduction will only stimulate those few
ewes, which have not begun cycling.
Reproduction and breeding
1. Test rams and teaser rams before mating by a Vet (fertility & venereal diseases)
2. Test serving ability and libido of rams
3. Use teaser rams 8–10 days before mating
4. Condition of rams should be good prior to mating and they should be fit
5. Rams should have short wool during mating Ram Effect
Pro-active or preventative medicine requires that certain management procedures are done in advance to
ensure that the animals are healthy and in a good “working” condition when peak
performance is required. In a ram this is at mating time, or during the
breeding season.
What does preventative medicine in rams entail?
* Shear rams
regularly. Preferably every 6 months in wool breeds.
* Do proper hoof
care. Trim hooves before the mating season and treat cases of foot rot as early
as possible.
* Give a
balanced ration especially in the two month period prior to mating when sperm
cells are formed.
* Get rams fit
by walking them briskly for a minimum of half an hour early in the morning or
during the late afternoon.
* Supply
adequate shade, especially in the warmer parts of the country.
* Additional
vaccination against Bluetongue and Brucellosis is also recommended.
*Dose / deworm
preventatively. A sick or parasitized ram cannot produce top quality semen.
Wow what a great blog, i really enjoyed reading this, good luck in your work. Sheep Vitamin Drench
ReplyDelete