Using vasectomised “teaser” rams is widely recognised as the best way to kick start cycling activity in a group of ewes at the same time. This will make sure their ovaries are raring to go when tups are introduced to the field.
We are coming to the end of ‘Vasectomy time’ at Towcester Farm Vets so if you have not already considered using Teaser Rams, then now’s the time to give us a call.
Contact our Farm vets about Ram Vasectomies
There are three benefits to using teaser rams
- They achieve a more compact lambing period
- This will lead to a better use of labour and resources come lambing time
- More compact lambing periods also help reduce the risk of disease in young lambs
How to choose and use teaser rams
The best candidates for your teasers are young rams, from 4-5 months of age, as they are generally more energetic, have good teeth and joints and less health concerns (what more could any ewe want..!).
One teaser can be expected to work with 100 ewes. We can perform the short operation under sedation on farm or at the surgery and as long as you can provide a pen, some water and someone to help hold the ram we carry everything else with us. Given the time of year good fly cover needs to be in place to prevent flystrike of the operation site.
Timings are important – surgery needs to be completed a minimum of 6 weeks before they are due to work to allow for recovery. It is recommended that teasers go in with the ewes for 14 days before the tups are introduced, so an 8-week lead time to the start of the service period is required. This mean that we are coming to the end of vasectomy time at Towcester Farm Vets, so if you have not already taken action now’s the time to give us a call.
Optimising the effect of teaser rams
The ewes will respond better if kept away from the sight, sound and smell of a male (by at least a mile!) for a month before the teaser goes in with them. As the aim is to get the ewe’s served in a shorter time frame you will need to ensure the tups are in peak condition to serve and increase ram numbers to meet demand (1 ram to around 20-30 ewes)
For more information or to book in any vasectomies, please contact the surgery.
