Preparing Rams for a Successful Breeding Season

By Richard Ehrhardt

Ensuring the health and reproductive viability of rams on your farm is critical to a successful breeding program. Because one ram can service 50+ ewes during an optimal breeding season, there is a lot more risk for flock reproductive problems associated with his fertility compared to those of individual ewes. One unsuccessful season can have a huge impact at lambing time and beyond. This risk can be minimized by following some fairly simple and straightforward steps. 

Ram physical examination 

Producers should become familiar with performing simple breeding exams on rams several weeks prior to the breeding season. This involves a simple exam of the ram’s reproductive capacity. The testicles should be palpated and should be firm but not soft. In many breeds, the testicles will appear soft and less firm during the spring, as most breeds are less fertile in the spring, and this is normal for breeds with clear seasonal breeding patterns. In the late summer, however, the testicular firmness in rams from all breeds of sheep should improve as the days start to become shorter. The tail of the epididymis of the testes in located on the distal, bottom end of the testes and should be distinct by palpation, feeling like a knob-like structure. The epididymis of each testicle should be similar in feel and not swollen or enlarged. Comparisons among several rams’ testes and between testicles in a single ram can provide a sense of what is normal is what is not in this regard. Testicular size is also an indicator of fertility, although generally not as good of an indicator of fertility as firmness. Rams older than 18 months should have a scrotal circumference >35 centimeters at their greatest diameter, whereas younger rams should be >30 cm. 

The end of the penis can be displayed when rams are set on their rear ends and gentle pressure is applied to their abdomen. The urethral process is a very distinct-looking structure located at the end of the penis, consisting of a worm-like appendage. This unusual worm-like appearance of the structure is normal, and the tissue should have a healthy pink color and be without signs of infection or injury. The prepuce of the ram is the external opening of the non-extended penis and should be clean without signs of infection, scabs or ulcers. Pizzle rot is a common problem found in rams, which appears as a sore or ulcer on the prepuce. It is related to both diet and environment, with high protein diets (>16% crude protein) and dirty/wet pens causing problems. Clean bedding and antibiotic ointment applied on a daily basis for a few weeks can often remedy this problem, however cumbersome to employ. Failure to treat this condition will limit the service capacity of the ram due to discomfort during mating. 

Another important consideration in examining rams is sound hips. Hip soundness can become an issue in older rams especially and can be assessed by testing how much weight a ram can bear on his hips. Rams should be able to hold at least their own weight, so a reasonable test is if they can hold the weight of an adult shepherd. To test this, simply have an assistant hold the ram and then stand behind the ram. Place your hands with arms locked and extended in front of you on the ram’s hips and then lean forward to place the majority of your weight on your hands placed on the ram’s hips. The ram should be able to support this weight without buckling if his hips are sound for mating. 

Preparing the ram’s feet and shearing 

Hooves on rams should be trimmed at least 3 weeks prior to the breeding season. This allows enough time for healing if hooves are accidently trimmed a bit short. Accidental hoof injury during trimming performed just before turnout is a common issue that can be prevented with advance planning. Be sure to trim conservatively if performed closer to the breeding season. Producers should observe rams during the off-season for any signs of hoof infection (hoof rot, hoof scald, hoof abscess) and treat any signs of lameness immediately. It may take several weeks to treat hoof ailments, so this must be monitored on an ongoing basis. Hoof problems limit both the ram’s breeding performance and their ability to forage and feed, so they must be carefully managed.  

Shearing should be performed 6-8 weeks before breeding when the breeding season is in August to October. For sheep housed in the upper Midwest U.S., it is best to shear no later than mid-September if rams are to be used in the late fall or winter, to allow enough fleece protection for cold weather. For spring mating, rams should be shorn a few weeks prior to outdoor housing if breeding is to take place on pasture.