Paola Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Sorry, I meant Helen bad afternoon!!! But watch it, i'm a fast runner as Annie says - used to give Graham a hiding when he was on the forum. I bet he enjoyed that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooner.girl Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Really don't go there Paola! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Will have to google it then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Lesley's just explained a raddle to me!!! It's a harness they wrestle onto the ram, you put coloured chalk on it so that you can see which (if any) ewes he has been getting jiggy with, then change the colour of the chalk each week so you can work out when the lambs are due and to which ewes. Shame they can't fit them on some men - then you'd know where they'd been!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gooner.girl Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Good luck fitting the raddle Lesley, i've helped do it before and its not always an easy job! Shame they can't fit them on some men - then you'd know where they'd been!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Oh I thought that was called a tupping harness Good luck Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 It is Paola, although the corerct name is raddle. The ram is also known as "the tup", and erm... doing the deed, is "tupping"..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Sorry, I meant Helen bad afternoon!!! But watch it, i'm a fast runner as Annie says - used to give Graham a hiding when he was on the forum. I bet he enjoyed that Not literally of course, just a cyber-hiding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Lesley's just explained a raddle to me!!! It's a harness they wrestle onto the ram, you put coloured chalk on it so that you can see which (if any) ewes he has been getting jiggy with, then change the colour of the chalk each week so you can work out when the lambs are due and to which ewes. Shame they can't fit them on some men - then you'd know where they'd been!!!!!! The things you learn on this forum Er good luck with the ram Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 I have just done a google search, and maybe Dan may have more knowledge of this than me, but apparently there is a beer, by Dent Brewery, called "T'owd Tup" Yeuckh! What a thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Lesley's just explained a raddle to me!!! It's a harness they wrestle onto the ram, you put coloured chalk on it so that you can see which (if any) ewes he has been getting jiggy with, then change the colour of the chalk each week so you can work out when the lambs are due and to which ewes. Shame they can't fit them on some men - then you'd know where they'd been!!!!!! The things you learn on this forum Er good luck with the ram Lesley That's the beauty of it Choccster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Good luck Lesley! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Lesley sounds like you will have your hands full getting the thing onto Oliver!!! Just be careful with that knee of yours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted January 5, 2007 Share Posted January 5, 2007 Lesley's just explained a raddle to me!!! It's a harness they wrestle onto the ram, you put coloured chalk on it so that you can see which (if any) ewes he has been getting jiggy with, then change the colour of the chalk each week so you can work out when the lambs are due and to which ewes. Shame they can't fit them on some men - then you'd know where they'd been!!!!!! The things you learn on this forum Er good luck with the ram Lesley That's the beauty of it Choccster Err, yes. It's quite an education, isn't it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Well, that's my new fact for the day. I now know what a raddle is Not sure that I actually ever wanted to know about it, but you never know...... the next I'm playing scrabble it might just come in handy. Either that or when I set up my sheep farm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 It's horrible day in the area too! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 6, 2007 Author Share Posted January 6, 2007 Well, that's my new fact for the day. I now know what a raddle is Not sure that I actually ever wanted to know about it, but you never know...... the next I'm playing scrabble it might just come in handy. Either that or when I set up my sheep farm Or, it could come in handy at the Pub Quiz? We're not going to attempt it in today's vile weather - too much mud and I'm not prepared to risk hurting my knee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Don't blame you Lesley, it's vile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Do you want Phil and I to come over tomorrow to help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 6, 2007 Author Share Posted January 6, 2007 Thanks for the offer Clare - I'll get back to you on that as Carl sent a text to Matthew - still waiting for a reply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 7, 2007 Author Share Posted January 7, 2007 Matthew went past on his quad bike in the next field on his way to feed his pheasants - he put his hand up and we assumed he would call in. Carl went and started - he moved one of the big hurdles and separated the ram from the ewes. We'd got the harness all sorted out and complete with yellow chalk....................................................... Matthew didn't reappear So Carl carried on, on his own and did it in no time at all. Oliver is such a sweetie and so good natured. No problem As he's been in there for a couple of weeks he may have covered all the ewes anyway but as it depends on their cycle, which is 3 weeks, he may not. He will stay for a total of 6 weeks to make sure and then he will go back home for a rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Excellent news Lesley, good old Oliver letting Carl fit his raddle I'll be waiting to hear news of the lambs next. How long is a sheeps gestation period? I seem to recall February/ March/ April as being the typical lambing months . Is that right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 7, 2007 Author Share Posted January 7, 2007 For commercial lamb yes, the farmers need to catch the 'Spring Lamb' market. We wanted late lambs so we don't have added problems with the weather. I want to be able to help with the lambing and it wouldn't be possible if it was too muddy. I think it is 5 months - Carl is the one reading the Sheep Book - I'm reading Holistic Dog Book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Does it have anything helpful for Jazz? I'm sure Poor Oliver will be glad of a rest in a few weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Matthew didn't reappear So Carl carried on, on his own and did it in no time at all. Oliver is such a sweetie and so good natured. No problem As he's been in there for a couple of weeks he may have covered all the ewes anyway but as it depends on their cycle, which is 3 weeks, he may not. He will stay for a total of 6 weeks to make sure and then he will go back home for a rest. Oliver is obviously a 'professional' at his job Lesley! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
