Ewe lambs from ewe lambs

[baaa]

I have a fox problem here. In the past I have lost even single lambs to the fox born to ewe lambs even if I wait two weeks to put them out to pasture. The young mothers don't seem as protective.

 

[neilo]

Breeding ewe lambs out of ewe lambs out of ewe lambs is a program for breeding bantams long term. Fine if you don't want a high mature weight anyway, but then you're extending the days to slaughter, unless you're relying on the ram for that, in which case you're putting a bigger ram on a smaller ewe...

Why so? As long as those lambs aren't stunted, the fact they're out of ewe lambs doesn't effect their genetic potential to grow into big ewes IME (if that's what you want).

 

[Ysgythan]

As long as those lambs aren't stunted,

Exactly. One off ewe lamb breeding may not, but breeding from their lambs and lambs of their lambs will stunt them. In nature these are the most vulnerable members of the flock next to the old ewes. Less of their offspring get to the core of the flock but those that do (from either side of the spectrum) have really proven themselves. You're removing that selection pressure.

 

[neilo]

Exactly. One off ewe lamb breeding may not, but breeding from their lambs and lambs of their lambs will stunt them. In nature these are the most vulnerable members of the flock next to the old ewes. Less of their offspring get to the core of the flock but those that do (from either side of the spectrum) have really proven themselves. You're removing that selection pressure.

If you were only breeding replacements of your ewe lambs, and keeping none from older ewes, then I see that could be the case long term.

Does anyone do that though? I suppose the keenest advocates of genetic improvement would argue that they are your best genetics (or should be), so that would be the best way to make the fastest genetic progress. I'd be more worried that it could go very wrong, very quickly, with an unlucky ram choice. My 'best' ewes, whether measured on type, maternal ability or index, are scattered throughout the age groups, as I would expect in most flocks.