Carlos, if you are talking Barbado sheep, then anytime is as good a time as any other. What I mean is figure out 5 1/2 to 6 months from, say August 1, to the second or third week of February, as pregnancy length. Then figure out the average weather in your area, Arcadia, Fla. Which, if my memory serves me correctly, is not a really good month in Florida. Unless you plan on monitoring them constantly at the end of 5 months,(since I assume you haven't had lambs before, and are inexperienced at this) or have a barn and small lot to fence them in . I would go for Sept. , because March is a lot nicer weather wise. That way you have all lambs in 2-4 weeks, and all of them will be weaned by May and if, and that's a big if, you wish to breed again, then you can again., and will have your second lambing in September.But I like to wait and figure out a good time period for rest and recuperation for my ewes. I sometimes have two lambings a year, but not every year. (not that they are not ready and willing) It is important that the ewes get their health and weight back up before they are bred again. JMHO. As to one week for the Ram,that is dependent on how many ewes you have. If they are not in season when he comes in the herd then it may take that week for them to get there. I leave mine in there for at least one month. Actually, since I have my own ram I leave him in with them until the lambing season gets close, then I remove him to his own pasture, so the ewes can get calmed down before delivery. (about the fourth month) That way if there are any late bloomers they get bred,too. Just makes it interesting when you look out your door and see "Oops! Surprise! A late lamb." Remember to remove all new ram lambs as soon as they are weaned, or they will try and sometimes succeed breeding to sisters and mothers. Any ewe lambs should be put in a seperate pen until after the Ram is removed from the second breeding too. Einar Subject: [blackbelly] Breeding Time We have a small herd of ewes and would like to breed them.This would be our 1st attempt.We plan to bring over stud.When is the best time?Spring?Fall? Would leaving the male visitor for a week be enough time?Thanks
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