Tool 10.6 Ram pre-joining checklist
Examine rams for breeding soundness 12 weeks before joining to treat any issues which may affect their performance and determine if any replacement rams need to be purchased, allowing them time to acclimatise.
The full sperm production cycle takes six weeks and any check in the ram’s health can affect this process. Below are some tips for ensuring your rams are in their best condition in the lead up to joining:
- Condition score should be 3.5 at joining. Feed lupins or high protein feed for 50 days prior to joining to ensure maximum testes size and sperm output (up to 400 g/h/d).
- Rams should not be lame, so if required, trim their hooves to a normal shape.
- Testicles should be firm, springy on palpation with scrotal circumference above 28cm with no abnormal lumps on palpation. If your rams have abnormal lumps on their testicle, get a blood test to check for ovine brucellosis.
- Examine prepuce and penis for evidence of inflammation and damage.
- Rams should be vaccinated with 6-in-1 and have a preventative flystrike treatment applied if in flystrike risk period.
- Any ram that has been sick with a fever in the last eight weeks should not be used for joining as high temperature disrupts semen production.
- Shear rams 8-12 weeks prior to joining to avoid sunburn, cuts, infection and susceptibility to heat at joining.
