A successful breeding season depends greatly on ram health because one ram can service many ewes. Early preparation helps prevent problems and improves lambing outcomes. A basic physical exam should take place several weeks before breeding.
Testicles must be firm and equal in size. In late summer, firmness usually increases as days shorten. The epididymis should feel like a knob at the lower end of each testicle and should not be enlarged. Mature rams should have a scrotal circumference above thirty-five centimeters, while younger rams should measure above thirty centimeters.
The urethral process appears as a worm-like structure at the end of the penis and should be pink and healthy. The prepuce must be clean. Pizzle rot may appear as ulcers and is linked to high protein diets and wet housing. Clean bedding and ointment support healing and prevent discomfort during breeding.
Rams must also have sound hips to mount ewes successfully. They should be able to support their weight without buckling. Hooves should be trimmed three weeks in advance to avoid tenderness. Hoof infections require early treatment to prevent lameness and reduced feeding.
Shearing six to eight weeks before breeding helps regulate body temperature and improves comfort. Nutritional preparation should begin four to six weeks before turning out, aiming for a body condition score of three point five.
Grain should be increased slowly, and diets should not exceed fifteen percent protein. Rams often lose weight during breeding, so conditions must be accommodated beforehand.
A breeding soundness exam two to three weeks before breeding evaluates semen quality and checks for infection. Heat stress can affect sperm, and recovery may take months. Ram to ewe ratios vary by season, with one adult ram covering around fifty ewes in fall.
Housing rams together early reduces fighting and injury.
These steps help ensure healthy fertility and reduce the risk of breeding failure.