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Tupping
Tupping is the term used for when the
rams breed with the ewes to produce lambs. For our flock, this
starts in October when the ewes naturally begin to come into
season.
During September we
start to feed the rams organic supplementary feed, such as organic
oats, to help increase their stamina and strength. The rams generally
start to feel something good is about to happen and get even
more boisterous.
The rams have organic oil and pigment rubbed onto their chests
before they are put in with the ewes. The pigment rubs off when
a rams tups a ewe, leaving a mark on her wool. This way we can
tell which ewes have been tupped and which have not.
Rams and ewes remain together for around three months. During
this time the colour on the rams' chests is changed. This is done
so we can see by the colour on the ewe's back when she was covered
and work out what her lambing date might be. It also leaves
us with a field of multi-coloured sheep.
Our ewes come into season naturally and everything is left for
nature to take its course. Hormone treatments or similar to
produce lambs out of season are never used.
"Langley Chase's Manx Loaghtan four-horned ram is an
impressive looking creature and certainly one not be
trifled with"
Farmers Guardian
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