LIFE CYCLE OF SOAY SHEEP
- Lambs are typically born in the spring, usually as a single or a twin, rarely as a triplet. Lambs weigh 3 to 5 lbs at birth. (Lambs as small as abou 24 ounces at birth have survived and grown to be wonderful examples of the breed.) They are licked clean and dry by their mother, and are up on their feet within minutes, searching for their breakfast or dinner. Lambs not caught within a few hours of birth can be difficult to catch; they often "hit the ground running" as is typical of ancient hardy breeds.
- Lambs put on growth very quickly. Ram lambs put on the most horn growth in their first year, and less each year thereafter. Unless you are running a Wild Flock (see requirements on the Wild Flock page) your ram lambs need to be separated from the ewes and ewe lambs by 3 months of age. Ear tagging also needs to take place by this time. Lambs can leave their dams as early as 8 weeks, but it is better for the lamb if they have a few more weeks with their dam. If the dam is looking thin and run down, then you need to make a judgment call as to the best interest of the dam or lamb(s). Ewe lambs left with their dams may nurse for many months, but most mothers will wean their daughters on their own before breeding season. Many breeders find that leaving daughters with their dams creates a more harmonious flock.
- Ram lambs can breed as early as 3 or 4 months of age; ewe lambs typically come into estrus at 7 months of age, and can give birth by the time they reach their first birthday. Ewes of this age typically give birth to a single lamb, but twins do occur occasionally.
ADULTS
- Ewes and rams will continue to grow over several years, gaining size and exhibiting signs of maturity. Rams may not develop a mane at all, or may develop an impressive mane at the age of 2 or 3 years. Both ewes and rams will continue to produce a pair of adult teeth each year until they reach 4 years of age. After this time, tooth loss is an indication of aging; some ewes may keep a full set of teeth into their 12th year or longer, while others may begin losing teeth (called "broken mouth") by 8 or 9 years of age. As long as they have most of their teeth, they can continue to breed and thrive, but once most of their front teeth are gone, they will either require pampering with special feed to help them along, or will need to be humanely culled. Older sheep that are no longer productive make excellent ground meat.
- Horn growth slows and stops at about 5 years of age for rams, and about 4 or 5 years of age for ewes.
- Rams may not live past 4 to 6 years of age, but 12 years or more is not unheard of. Ewes can live as long as their teeth hold out, which can be 12 years or more.
- Ewes often produce single lambs their first few years, produce twins in their middle years, and revert to single lambs as they reach their later years. There are always exceptions; with some ewes twinning their very first year and each year thereafter, and other ewes who single every year of their lives.
References:
- Soay Sheep, published 2004 by Cambridge University Press.
- Island Survivors, published 1974 by The Athlone Press, University of London.
- Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep, by Paula Simmons & Carol Ekarius
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