5 year old ewes, first time lambers

[greenwest20]

Hi, is it ok/safe to put 5 year old ewes in lamb for the first time at that age? I've been working away from home for the last few years and kept a few ewes at the homestead since they were lambs but never put them in lamb as I wouldn't have been around to care for them during lambing. Is it smart to start with them now?

 

[Longlowdog]

Lots of ewes lambing at ten years old so I don't see why you shouldn't put them in lamb at 5y.o.

 

[greenwest20]

Lots of ewes lambing at ten years old so I don't see why you shouldn't put them in lamb at 5y.o.

I've seen that through the years too but as first timers would there but much additional risk?

 

[Longlowdog]

Make sure they are fit not fat. Get weight off of them if they are rolly polly pets through the summer, flush them a little before lambing and go for it. There are lots of flushing ewes that have probably not had lambs the way nature intended.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Personally I wouldn't.
Nature doesn't like things waiting until late middle age too start breeding. The bone structure will not be best suited to relaxing and letting young out. At that age the pelvis will probably have fused into a set position. Might be ok with a small VERY easy lambing tup

 

[clod hopper]

Prolapse will be your big danger a month or so before lambing which is why you need to get them fit/ lean before mating. You should have no more trouble getting them inlamb as any other flock in my mind. I'd pick a ram that is narrow in the shoulders and on the small side for the first lambing as will expect mum to have a fair bit of internal fat. Other wise good luck ?

 

[M-J-G]

Did it in back in 2000 with 1994 born NZ Polled Dorsets, they were too fat, which any healthy 6yo maiden ewe could only be.

I wouldn't do it again. Twin lamb due to fatty liver, along with prolapse and assisted lambings were pretty common.

 

[Steel]

Did it in back in 2000 with 1994 born NZ Polled Dorsets, they were too fat, which any healthy 6yo maiden ewe could only be.

I wouldn't do it again. Twin lamb due to fatty liver, along with prolapse and assisted lambings were pretty common.

I once had a pet lamb which went several years before being joined. She was very fat and had triplets then looked very unwell. I got the vet out and she filled her full of drugs and charged me about $300, and then the ewe died.

 

[greenwest20]

All, thanks for the guidance and experiences. This somewhat fuels my concerns as they are busters right now and even starving them by Oct/Nov they'll probably be too fat and used to the easy life. It's a shame as they were my late father's flock and would have liked to have kept the bloodline going with these girls.

 

[GrannyAching]

All, thanks for the guidance and experiences. This somewhat fuels my concerns as they are busters right now and even starving them by Oct/Nov they'll probably be too fat and used to the easy life. It's a shame as they were my late father's flock and would have liked to have kept the bloodline going with these girls.

As they have sentimental value, don't give up yet. I assume it's not many. You have got plenty of time to pull the weight off them if you are around to mange it. If they were horses, you could put them on bare ground and feed them hay that had been soaked to remove the sugars so they had full bellies but were burning fat (I think that's how it works). Then, don't flush them at all. In fact you can negatively flush them - cut their nutrition hard and put in your chosen ram and fingers crossed for singles. Scan them whatever it costs. Don't feed them through winter if they have any grass in front of them and aren't dropping condition. If they have twins consider feeding in the last third so the lambs have a bit of life. I think it depends how much you want these animals tbh. In five years, whatever breed or blood line they are, the industry will (really should) have moved on.

 

[gatepost]

All is possible, but, probably better to sell and buy new young ones tbh

 

[greenwest20]

Yes. I have to agree with all of you. I think it is a question of worth and effort. Is the juice worth the squeeze. Some times sentiment can cause us a lot of extra work. In this case, I am leaning learning towards letting go due to the chances of complications and what's possibility more humane.

 

[Whitepeak]

We acquired 2 ewes this Yr that were someone's pet sheep. Meant to be 4yr old. We will try them to the tup this time, and see what happens.
We didn't dare take them straight to the market when they were from a friend of the mother in law ?