Flock Management

Ryeland sheep are excellent grazers and thrive in paddocks keeping the grassland in good condition particularly when sharing grazing with horses or ponies. They are very easy to manage and economic to keep.

The lambs are born in the spring, are hardy and quick to drink from their mothers. They grow quickly and rarely have any problems with their feet. At Middle Park we worm the lambs only when necessary and get the vet to do faecal egg counts if required.

The lambs are weighed regularly to identify those with the fastest growth rates and the best lambs are kept for replacements or sold to other flocks.

We wean the lambs in late May/early June so the ewes are ready for putting back to the ram in August/September. Each year about 25% of the ewes are replaced with home-bred shearlings to continuously improve the genetic standard of the flock.

During the winter, the ewes have access to a rack in the field, filled with home grown meadow hay and a feed block to provide additional vitamins and minerals to ensure the correct development of the lambs in-utero. Additional 16% ewe nuts are fed to those ewes that may need a bit more help to keep them in good condition for lambing.

The lambs are born inside in February and put in individual pens for a couple of days after lambing to ensure both mother and lambs are thriving before being returned to the main pen.

Ryeland sheep are very hardy and can live out all year round. The ewes only need to come inside if you decide to lamb early in Feb/March and the weather is poor.

For new flock owners or people without a barn, the ewes can be lambed later in April, outside, as long as they are checked regularly. The ewes and rams have to be shorn each year, usually in June and the fleeces can be sold privately or to the Wool Marketing Board. Just ask any sheep farmer nearby and he will tell you who to ring.

More detailed management information can be found on the internet or by ringing Philip on 078 999 777 77