Sheep are domesticated animals that are usually kept for their wool, meat and milk.
There are hundreds of different breeds and they are considered one of the most important of all farm animals, with an estimated one billion in existence today.
A ram is a male sheep, sometimes known as a buck and a young ram is called a lamb.
In some parts of the world, especially the UK, a ram is called a tup, meaning the mating season is called tupping season.
A ram is usually taller and heavier than a sheep, which is the name given to a female sheep.
Other names for sheep, dictated by the age or sex of the animal, include wethers, which are neutered males.
There are also yearlings, which are ewes between 1 and 2 years of age that have not given birth to young.
It is possible to keep sheep on the homestead for self-sufficiency.
Some may be kept as pets and companions, but the typical use of domesticated sheep is for large-scale breeding.
Image credit: Left – haidar-alkhayat, Pixabay | Right – AlanFrijns, Pixabay
Ram
Other suitable for pets: No
Other Pet Friendly: Usually
Trainability: Intelligent with good memory and recognition
Trainability: Intelligent with good memory and recognition
Overview of ram
Image credit: Pixabay
A ram is a sheep aged 12 months or more.
A farmer needs both sheep and rams if he wants to raise lambs for meat or if he wants to get milk from sheep.
Rams can also be bred as breeding rams, with their semen sold to farmers and breeders or recommended to impregnate ewes.
Rams must be able to produce seed and those with high production will earn more.
On average, a farmer keeps one ram for every 100 sheep in his flock, although this ratio can vary from 1:50 to 1:150.
Rams are known for being predatory.
They can be aggressive, especially when it is mating season and they are around ewes that are in heat.
They will fight with other rams for the right to mate and if they feel threatened, the ram may turn on a human, dog or any other animals or visitors to the farm.
Aries may also attack people or things they perceive as a threat and/or see near their sheep.
As something from the name, you should always expect some amount of punches.
The male sheep is known for this behavior and it is natural.
It is difficult to train this behavior out of a ram because it is instinct.
Make sure you spend time around your ram, but you shouldn’t try to turn it into a pet.
Whether you want to breed to increase your flock, sell lambs or for any other purpose, you need a fertile ram.
Make sure your rams have a good diet and give them a high energy diet before the breeding season.
Can two rams live together?
Rams can live together, but it depends on the individual.
If you keep one ram, it is recommended that you keep another, but it usually takes the form of a castrated ram, called a wether.
Rams are suitable for any sheep owner or breeder who wants to raise their own sheep.
You will need one ram for every 30 to 150 ewes depending on libido, performance and age of the rams.
Alternatively, rams can be raised for breeding and offered to local sheep.
Overview of sheep
A ram is a male sheep older than 12 months, while any sheep younger than 12 months is called a lamb.
Female sheep are called ewes and in most cases make up the majority of the flock.
There are approximately 1 billion sheep in the world today that are raised and raised for their fur, meat and milk.
Some sheep are also bred for shows and exhibitions and can cost a lot of money to buy and breed.
Sheep are generally considered to be friendly and gentle animals.
They are herd animals, which means they will do better in a group than alone.
So they get along with other sheep and can get along with, or at least tolerate, other types of animals.
When bred from a young age and especially when bottle-fed, sheep can form a close bond with their owner.
They form close bonds with other sheep and may even challenge each other in a fight or confrontation.
Establishment of the Flock
Starting your own flock can be a positive step towards self-sufficiency, and a large farm flock can bring a nice profit.
Sheep are herd animals, which means they will do better in groups.
Start with a flock of at least five sheep.
You can combine your new herd with other animals such as alpacas and goats, but they need the company of other sheep to really thrive.
A flock of five sheep will need around one acre of land, although this depends on factors such as grass quality and parasite risks.
If you introduce a ram to your flock, you will need weather that lives with your main ram to keep him company.
Choose a breed
There are hundreds of breeds and crossbreeds of sheep available.
Do you want to look after your pastures or do you want to sell or use the fleece?
Hoping to quickly increase your flock size?
You can also consider factors such as whether a particular breed is good with children or does well in cold conditions.
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Pixabay
Caring for your herd
After stocking your flock, you need to make sure it is well taken care of.
Ewes are fed grain 3 weeks after lambing to ensure they are well nourished at this stage.
Many new farmers find that their soil and crops are deficient in selenium, and you will need to supplement to ensure that your flock and all your sheep are healthy.
Although sheep do not like to be closed in a barn, they need some protection from rain and wind in winter and from the sun in summer.
Sheep are suitable for new, existing and experienced farmers.
A starter flock usually consists of five to 10 sheep.
Anything less than this and the sheep will not have enough company.
You can combine ewes with a ram, although it is common to keep the ram and ewes apart, which means you will need a second, neutered ram, called a wether, to live with your main ram.
Herding sheep takes commitment and requires work every day, so before you start your herd you need to make sure you are committed to the idea.
Which breed is right for you?
A sheep is a domesticated farm animal that is raised for its wool and meat as well as milk.
You can also poke the ram to earn money.
A small herd of a dozen or so sheep may be enough to get you by, but it will require careful management, especially if you intend to keep the ram yourself rather than using the services of a local ram. .
You will need some land, with an acre considered the bare minimum for a small herd and large herds requiring hundreds of acres to graze and live on.
Choose the breed and numbers of sheep according to the purpose of owning them and whether you keep them for fleece, meat or for shows and exhibitions.
Lamb vs Sheep: What’s the Difference?
Dorper sheep