Which Ewes to Cull

Big Ambitions · Mar 28, 2021

This year I’ve been a lot more brutal with which ewes get the dreaded red cross on their back. Last year I was a bit too soft and it has bit me in the behind, ewe with half a bag, a c-sec, same ewe as last year rejected her lamb. Any ewes that I’ve had bother with this lambing are gone, no second chances. I’m moving to an outdoor lambing system next year, so I need ewes to get on with it.
It’s had me thinking, what are cardinal sins for a ewe on your farm? And what will you give another chance? Also if you could add if you’re indoor or outdoor that would be appreciated! Thanks folks

haybob · Mar 28, 2021

One false move and their off. There's a gready one that always near pushes me over when dishing feed out, it's definitely off, was the ex girlfriends so no love lost with that one. Indoor

Northern territory · Mar 28, 2021

Is a good question to ask, who breeds their own replacements and who buys in. You obviously need to record offspring if you are trying to improve traits in your flock. I am not at the stage yet but want to be harsher on my flock, father has carried too many passenagers over the years. Feet and bags would be the prime ones for me.

Tim W · Mar 28, 2021

If you notice a ewe for any negative reason (feet/slow/mis-mothering/help needed for anything) then cull her
It's simple really
NO SECOND CHANCES

Ffermer Bach · Mar 28, 2021

Tim W said:
If you notice a ewe for any negative reason (feet/slow/mis-mothering/help needed for anything) then cull her
It's simple really
NO SECOND CHANCES

I used to ear notch those ewes then anything with a notch was put to a terminal sire, as I couldn't bring myself to cull a healthy ewe!

Northeastfarmer · Mar 28, 2021

Bad feet
Bad bags
Shitty arses
Bad mothering
No milk
Prolapsing
Ceaser
Bad doers
Any that look at me the wrong way

farmerm · Mar 28, 2021

If it look like a sheep I am thinking that might be reason enough.....

Becs · Mar 28, 2021

I’m more lenient, I think. I keep very detailed records (hand written the old fashioned way!) of all my sheep, plus they all have names so I recognise probably 75% by sight and the others, once I see their name tag, I can recall lots of information about each one. I keep the records as I’m as interested in seeing their history for quirks/ behaviour/ health as well as their breeding history. I dont cull for prolapses as I have found that it doesn’t reoccur. Bad bags I do cull. Mismothering depends on circumstances- I had one who rejected one of twins 4 years ago but has gone on and raised good twins every year since - maybe she knew something about the rejected lamb that I didn’t - who knows? Bad feet I try to treat promptly so generally not an ongoing problem but I have culled the odd one who has deformed feet that repeatedly go lame. Skitty, nervy ewes that don’t follow their lambs are normally fine the next year once they’ve got the hang of motherhood as long as I treat them gently the first year. Ewes that only raise one good lamb out of twins gets one more year and then out if they repeat it. Ewes that are annoying ‘aunties’ one year don’t neccessarily do the same the next year. I have one ewe who head butts me every year when I iodine the naval of her lambs - the old battle axe! Down side of knowing and naming each sheep it that it’s bloody hard culling something with a name!

Woolless · Mar 28, 2021

Ffermer Bach said:
I used to ear notch those ewes then anything with a notch was put to a terminal sire, as I couldn't bring myself to cull a healthy ewe!

I think this approach has a lot to recommend it. Culling a ewe for a relatively minor fault seems harsh and so you may be less inclined to do it. Having the option to relegate her instead to the B flock makes it easier.

David. · Mar 28, 2021

Being harsh is all very well when culls are dear and replacements are good value.
But lambing has been easier since we have killed all the prolapsers and the ones with hard gristly bags and pinched lambs.

Nithsdale · Mar 28, 2021

Ffermer Bach said:
I used to ear notch those ewes then anything with a notch was put to a terminal sire, as I couldn't bring myself to cull a healthy ewe!

Woolless said:
I think this approach has a lot to recommend it. Culling a ewe for a relatively minor fault seems harsh and so you may be less inclined to do it. Having the option to relegate her instead to the B flock makes it easier.

Yes... but no
Until the better breeding feeds through from the A flock, the B flock can be really bad going because that's where all the known problems have been put.

I speak from experience

twizzel · Mar 28, 2021

Poor mothering ability, abortion, prolapse, mastitis, empty at scanning, caesarean all once chance and you’re out.

Bit more lenient on feet but to be fair my small flock pretty good on that front. Wild, scatty ewes that do wall of death if they don’t calm down after first lambing are on a sticky wicket

Even though my flock is very small anything I wouldn’t keep a ewe lamb from goes to my Dorset ram for fat lambs. Most of my B flock either went cull or died last year which kind of shows why they were in that group

this year was a mix of older ewes with not so great conformation or 3/4 bred shearlings. They all had cracking Dorset lambs to be fair.

Anymulewilldo · Mar 28, 2021

Northeastfarmer said:
Bad feet
Bad bags
Shitty arses
Bad mothering
No milk
Prolapsing
Ceaser
Bad doers
Any that look at me the wrong way

All the above but also add
Generally being a neurotic d**k

Indoor and outdoor

Woolless · Mar 28, 2021

Nithsdale Farmer said:
Yes... but no
Until the better breeding feeds through from the A flock, the B flock can be really bad going because that's where all the known problems have been put.

I speak from experience

True enough. But you've got to live with that or with a much higher cull rate or slower progress with the A flock.

Al R · Mar 29, 2021

Northeastfarmer said:
Bad feet
Bad bags
Shitty arses
Bad mothering
No milk
Prolapsing
Ceaser
Bad doers
Any that look at me the wrong way

All of those are an instant cull do not pass go, see you on Friday night in the kebab shop type and they should be never kept regardless!

Northeastfarmer · Mar 29, 2021

Al R said:
All of those are an instant cull do not pass go, see you on Friday night in the kebab shop type and they should be never kept regardless!

Might add ring womb onto the list at this specific hour of the day...

Skintagain · Mar 29, 2021

Escapers

Hfd Cattle · Mar 29, 2021

All of the little bleeders !!

unlacedgecko · Mar 29, 2021

Think about your system and what ewe fits it. Then cull anything which doesn't fit.

Culling offenses for me;

Lameness
Mastitis
Failure to rear at least 1 lamb
Get cast
Require lambing
Jump out the pen when handling
Escape from electric fence
Dags

From F2 generation onwards they'll be culled for shedding

Shedding stud ewes and tups don't get any prophylactic fly treatment and will be culled for strike.

That's for the low input maternals. Flying flock of drafts all get culled every year regardless.

little_p · Mar 29, 2021

Northeastfarmer said:
Any that look at me the wrong way

All the Texels culled then.

Which Ewes to Cull

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0 %

Up to 25%

25-50%

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100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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