Tupping Season Checklist: Preparing Rams and Ewes for Breeding

A successful lambing season starts long before the first lamb arrives. Good preparation before tupping can help improve conception rates, identify potential problems early and make the following lambing period easier to manage.

From checking ram condition to choosing the right marking equipment, this practical tupping checklist will help sheep farmers and smallholders prepare for the breeding season.

Start preparing early

Ram and ewe preparation should ideally begin several weeks before tupping. Leaving checks until the ram is ready to go in with the ewes may not provide enough time to correct problems such as poor condition, lameness or unsuitable nutrition.

Early preparation gives you time to:

• Assess the condition of rams and ewes

• Address lameness or mobility problems

• Review nutrition and grazing

• Check your flock health plan

• Arrange veterinary advice where required

• Prepare ram harnesses, crayons and raddle equipment

• Decide how mating activity will be recorded

Give every ram a pre-tupping check

A ram may have performed well during a previous breeding season, but this does not guarantee that he will be fit and fertile this year.

A useful approach is to check the five Ts:

Teeth

Check that the ram’s teeth and mouth allow him to graze and eat properly. Dental problems can contribute to loss of condition and may prevent a ram from maintaining himself during a demanding breeding period.

Toes

A ram needs to be sound and mobile to work effectively. Check his feet and watch carefully for stiffness or lameness.

Any concerns should be addressed in good time and discussed with your vet where necessary.

Testicles

Check for obvious differences in size, firmness, swelling or unusual lumps. If anything appears abnormal, seek veterinary advice before relying on that ram for breeding.

Tone

Assess the ram’s overall fitness and body condition. Rams should be fit enough to work but should not be excessively thin or overfat.

Condition should be checked early enough to allow gradual dietary adjustments where required.

Treatments

Review vaccinations, parasite control and any other treatments as part of your flock health plan. Treatment decisions should be based on the needs of your flock and professional veterinary advice.

Where the fertility of a ram is uncertain, consider speaking to your vet about a full pre-breeding examination.

Check ewe condition before tupping

Ewe condition at mating can influence reproductive performance. Thin ewes should be identified early so grazing or supplementary feeding can be adjusted appropriately.

Pay particular attention to:

• Ewes that are noticeably thin

• Older or broken-mouthed ewes

• Ewes recovering from illness or lameness

• Ewe lambs and shearlings

• Recently purchased animals

• Ewes with a history of poor performance

Replacement ewe lambs should also be assessed for suitable weight and maturity before breeding.

Body condition scoring and weighing can provide a more reliable picture than visual inspection alone, particularly with full-fleeced sheep.

Choose a ram marking method

Monitoring which ewes have been served can provide valuable information throughout tupping and into lambing.

The two most common options are a ram marking harness with crayons or raddle powder applied to the ram’s brisket.

Ram marking harnesses and crayons

A marking harness holds a crayon against the ram’s brisket. When the ram serves a ewe, the crayon leaves a visible mark on her rump.

A harness can help you:

• Identify ewes that have been served

• Monitor when mating took place

• Spot ewes that return to the ram

• Estimate likely lambing periods

• Organise ewes into expected lambing groups

• Identify possible problems with ram performance

The harness should be fitted securely without restricting the ram’s movement. Check it regularly for rubbing, loose straps or damage, and make sure the crayon remains firmly attached.

Raddle powder

Raddle powder offers a simple alternative to a harness. It is mixed into a suitable paste and applied to the ram’s brisket, leaving a coloured mark when he serves a ewe.

It can be particularly useful where a harness is not preferred, although the raddle may need to be refreshed more frequently depending on the weather, pasture conditions and activity of the ram.

Whichever method you choose, check the marks regularly and keep clear records.

Use different colours during tupping

Changing the crayon or raddle colour during the breeding period helps identify ewes that return to the ram.

Many flocks change colour after approximately one ewe breeding cycle. A repeat mark in the new colour may show that a ewe has returned and been served again.

Start with a lighter colour before progressing to darker colours so later marks remain visible. Choose colours that contrast clearly with the fleece and with one another.

Recording the date of each colour change will make the information much more useful when planning for lambing.

Check marking equipment before turnout

Do not wait until the ram is ready to go in before checking your equipment.

Before tupping begins:

• Inspect harness straps, buckles and fastenings

• Check that the harness is the correct size

• Make sure you have enough crayons or raddle powder

• Select colours that will remain clearly distinguishable

• Keep spare equipment available

• Prepare a notebook, spreadsheet or flock-management system

• Record the date each ram enters and leaves a group

It can also be helpful to fit a marking harness briefly before turnout, allowing you to check the fit and make adjustments.

Monitor the flock throughout tupping

Once the rams are working, continue checking the flock regularly.

Look for:

• Rams that appear inactive

• Ewes repeatedly returning to the ram

• Harnesses that have loosened or moved

• Crayons that are worn, broken or missing

• Marks that are difficult to see

• New signs of lameness or loss of condition

• Damage or rubbing caused by the harness

Where more than one ram is running with a group, accurate identification and record-keeping become especially important.

A high number of repeat services or a lack of marked ewes may indicate a problem that requires investigation.

Prepare now for an easier lambing season

Good tupping records can help estimate lambing dates, plan labour and organise housing or lambing pens. They can also help identify ewes or rams that may require closer attention.

A little preparation now can make flock management considerably easier later.

Skipton Dairy Services supplies a practical range of tupping equipment, including ram harnesses, marking crayons, raddle powder and ready-made tupping bundles.

Shop tupping supplies, ram harnesses, crayons and raddle powder

For help choosing suitable equipment, contact our team or visit us at Unit 1 Worth Enterprise Park, Valley Road, Keighley, BD21 4LN.

This article provides general information only. Flock health, nutrition, vaccination, fertility and treatment decisions should be discussed with your vet or suitably qualified adviser.