It is time to give your ram an MOT
As we approach the breeding season, preparation is key to ensuring your flock is in tiptop condition for the busy mating period.
We would advise you start at least two months before mating, with a close review of both your rams and ewes, allowing sufficient time to identify any issues that could impact your production rate.
Sheep in optimum health can achieve a very high success rate with only 2% classed as barren. But the ram’s condition is key to your success.
They should be checked over thoroughly prior to tupping to ensure optimum performance. Primary infertility - a problem with sperm production or health - is uncommon in sheep so most issues can be identified through physical examination.
An easy way to make sure all elements are covered is to remember the four T’s: Teeth, Toes, Testicles and Tone.
Teeth
In the same way older, broken-mouthed ewes will struggle to be productive, older rams can have difficulties with gaining or maintaining condition, which can subsequently impact their ability to sustain performance over the breeding season. Young or newly purchased rams should be checked for an under or overshot jaw. This will affect their feeding efficiency and is likely to be heritable.
Toes
Lameness will massively affect a ram’s ability to work. Whether due to pain, fever or simply an inability or reluctance to mount ewes if hind limbs are affected. Footrot, like any infection, will raise body temperature and damage sperm production for up to six weeks. It is vital feet are checked for lesions and treated according to veterinary advice well in advance of tupping. When considering a ram for purchase, try to identify any abnormalities in foot shape or overgrowth. This could indicate a history of footrot. Always follow your vet’s advice on quarantine and treatment of incoming stock.
Testicles
Testicle circumference relates directly to fertility in rams so size really does matter! Males with a larger scrotal circumference tend to sire females with improved fertility.
- Mature Ram: >36cm (lowland) or >34cm (hill)
- Shearling Ram: >32cm (lowland) or >30cm (hill)
Check for any lumps, swelling, heat or abnormalities in skin or texture. Sperm are very sensitive to heat so be aware fertility may be reduced in exceptionally hot weather.
Tone
Rams work very hard during tupping and need to be at a body condition score 3.5-4 at the start of the season. We’d recommend a ratio of no more than:
- 1 Ram lamb to 30 ewes
- 1 Mature ram to 50-75 ewes
- 1 Mature ram to 5-10 synchronised ewes
Your rams should be fit and not fat. Over conditioned rams become lazy and can have a reduced libido and fertility. Rams can be given additional supplementary rations in the lead-up to tupping to achieve good body condition. The additional ration will also improve semen quality and quantity if you provide a good feed of 18% crude protein. It is however worth noting that high mineral content feeds can increase the chances of a urinary stone so choose your ration carefully to minimise the risk. Sheep will take around six weeks to gain one condition score.
With rams checked and any adjustments made in good time, don’t forget to think about vaccinations. Vaccines such as for enzootic abortion or toxoplasmosis need to be ordered in advance and given no later than four weeks prior to tupping. There can be a long lead time on these vaccines due to batch production methods, so always order ahead of time. You may also choose to use footrot vaccine in the flock, which is best given well in advance of breeding in case of any side effects.
In Devon contact Molecare Farm Vets to arrange a full ram physical examination. Elsewhere, contact your vets and book your ram MOT soon
