At Shasta Ranch, weaning takes place at 10 -12 weeks – about 70 -84 days old. We remove the ewes from the lambs, who remain in their familiar area – a large pen/pasture with shelter. The ewes are moved to a larger pasture, rejoining the remainder of the flock. We breed groups of about a dozen ewes at a time, so we are weaning lambs every 2 1⁄2 months.
By 10 -12 weeks of age, milk production is dropping. Maximum milk production is at 4-6 weeks. The newly-removed ewes have clean, dry bedding, and we watch closely for any signs of mastitis as milk production slows further. They have a lower quality diet for about a week before weaning, and then for 2
weeks after to help reduce milk production.
Lambs who are 10 -12 weeks old are spending less time with their dams and more time with their peers. It can still be a bit of a rough transition for both lamb and dam. We feed the a familiar, good quality feed ad lib, whether it’s grazing or hay, to ensure they have lots to eat. The lambs have an ‘auntie’ with them. She is an aged, non-productive ewe who has been with them since the lambs turned about 4 weeks of age. The mature ewe helps keep the lambs calm, leading them out to pasture, leading them to water, watching for predators, and returning to the shelter at tonight.
We observe the lambs closely for about 2 weeks, while they transition fully to a grazing/hay diet. We examine any lambs to identify problems, including the 5 point check for parasites or coccidia. When
we are sure the lambs are doing well without their dams, they are ready to go to their buyer and a new
place. They are ready to rejoin their dams in the main flock when they are fully weaned – sometimes 2
months or more.
Sheep 101 offers more information about different plans for weaning. Different things work for different operations. It’s a good idea to find what works for you, for your sheep
and for your market.