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Are you planning to use a ram lamb this breeding season? If so, you should consider the capabilities and limitations of ram lambs. It may be true that some well-grown, aggressive, vigorous, highly fertile ram lambs can settle 50 ewes and maybe more. However, these rams are exceptions. A good rule to follow for practical ram management is 15 to 20 ewes for a ram lamb and 35 to 50 ewes for a mature ram.
 Researchers have shown that ram lambs generally have fully developed reproductive organs at 150 days of age, with spermatogenesis beginning as early as 80 to 100 days. Therefore, live sperm may be ejaculated as early as 112 days. However, there is considerable variation due to breed, nutrition and management. In addition, some rams are not mature enough for live motile sperm to be ejaculated until 180 days of age. When can a ram lamb be used for extensive breeding? A good rule is that a ram lamb is generally large enough to breed 15 to 25 ewes when he reaches 50 to 60 percent of his mature weight. For example, a projected 300-pound mature ram can be ready to turn into a breeding pen when he reaches 150 to 180 pounds live weight. A projected mature 200-pound ram can be used when he is 120 pounds. The two factors of age and size are critical to the breeding capabilities of ram lambs. The following breeding management techniques make for a highly fertile ram lamb.
AgeA ram lamb at five months can usually settle a few ewes, but he will be a much more aggressive breeder at seven months. A January-born lamb is ready for breeding in August; therefore as the breeding season progresses, February and March-born lambs come of age for September to November breeding.
WeightThe following chart identifies the minimum weight of ram lambs used for breeding.
NutritionRam lambs should be fed separately from mature rams. A growing ration through the breeding season is a must to keep lambs healthy. Although they may not eat as much during breeding season as non-breeding season, they need a minimum of two percent of their body weight in grain, as well as a liberal roughage intake. When the breeding season is over (two months) the lamb should be taller, but he may weigh less due to the activity of breeding.
ManagementNever allow ram lambs and mature rams to run together in breeding pens. The older rams are more dominant and can injure the lighter, less experienced lambs.Shear rams before breeding season, especially lambs. They may become exhausted especially on extremely warm days. Hot weather or high body temperature can make a ram temporarily sterile. High body temperatures can be caused by either heat stress or disease. After a prolonged high body temperature, it takes three to six weeks to regenerate live sperm. This would be costly during the breeding season. Limit the number of females for ram lambs at the beginning of the breeding season to 10 to 15. After a few days, more may be added. Use marking harnesses to determine the activity of the ram. Change colors every 14 to 17 days to determine if the ewes are being settled the first cycle. If a high percent of ewes are returning after 17 days, you should evaluate the ram. A semen check is in order. A semen evaluation before breeding season may eliminate this problem later in the season.
TestesAlways check the testes for abnormal condition. Although ram lambs seldom have epididymitis, it is a good policy to check for this disease. Also, examine testes for size and number. Sometimes a testicle is small and abnormal and it is not noticed without palpation. The scrotal circumference should be at least 9.5 inches mid-point of testes at five months. The larger the circumference of the scrotum, the more potential for fertility of the ram.Take care of your ram lamb and he will take care of the flock.
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