Reproduction in the ram
The ram is the most important member of the flock, yet often
the most neglected. Not only does he contribute half of the genetics to the flock, but his success as a breeder will go a long way towards ensuring a profitable lamb crop.
Puberty is the age at which the ram's reproductive organs become functional, his secondary sex characteristics develop, and he is ready to successfully mate ewes. Most ram lambs reach
puberty between 5 and 7 months of age, at 50 to 60 percent of
their mature weight.
The onset of puberty is affected by breed, genetics,
and nutrition. Ram lambs on a low plane of nutrition may not
reach puberty until they are 12 months of age or older. Some breeds reach puberty earlier than
other breeds: prolific breeds and hair sheep. Meat breeds tend to reach puberty earlier than wool breeds.
Sperm is the male reproductive cell. Sperm production takes about 49 days (7 weeks) in rams. Testicle
size is a good indication of a ram's sperm-producing ability. Palpation
of the epididymis is a useful guide for determining sperm reserves.
A large, firm tail is indicative of good reserves whereas a
small, soft tail would indicate the opposite.
Nutrition can have a dramatic effect on testicle size. Research
has shown that improving nutritional intake during the two-month
period before breeding can increase testicle size and subsequent
sperm production up to 100 percent. At the same time, overfeeding can have a detrimental effect on sperm production.
For normal sperm production to occur, the testes have to be at a temperature
several degrees below normal body temperature. The ram has large
sweat glands in the skin of the scrotum and a system of muscles
that raise or lower the testes into the body for temperature
|% normal morphology
|White blood cells
|Source: Sheep Production Handbook (2002)
Seasonal Effects on Reproduction
Sheep native to temperate climates are usually quite seasonal in their breeding
habits, though rams are less affected than ewes. A ram's testicular
size, sperm production, and mating capacity will vary according
to the season of the year, being highest during the normal fall
Some breeds are much less seasonal in their breeding behavior:
Dorset, Rambouillet, Merino, Polypay, Finnsheep, Romanov, and
hair sheep. Temperature is also a seasonal component affecting
fertility in the ram. As little as a half degree change in body
temperature may reduce spermatogenesis and/or libido.
A ewe in heat (estrus) will generally seek out the ram. She will sniff
and chase after him. The ram responds to urination by the estrus
ewe by sniffing, extending the leg, and curling his lip. Curling
the lip is called the "flehmen response." If the female
is receptive, she will stand for mating. The ram may fail in
several initial attempts to mount the ewe. He may repeatedly
mate the same ewe. Rams will tend to select older ewes over
younger ewes and sometimes will choose ewes of their own breed
over ewes of another breed.
Some producers prefer to use one ram per group of ewes. If
more than one ram is used, the older ram(s) will usually dominate the
younger ram(s) and may prevent the less dominant ram(s) from
breeding. The rams may fight at the expense of mating ewes.
It will be more difficult to detect infertile rams or male-oriented
rams in multi-sire situations. In large flocks, multi-sire matings
are usually necessary. On the other hand, single-sire matings
run the risk of low conception rates or an extended lambing
season if a ram with reduced fertility or libido is used.
Breeding Soundness Exam
Preparing a ram for breeding starts well in
advance of the breeding season. Never wait until the
last minute to purchase or select rams or check their readiness for breeding.
Rams should be purchased at least several months before the start of the breeding
The purpose of a breeding soundness exam (BSE) is to evaluate
a ram's potential breeding ability. A low percentage of rams are sterile, but many rams have reduced fertility. Research has shown
that 10 to 15 percent of rams that are given a BSE fail or have
questionable fertility. A BSE should be conducted by a veterinarian
or trained technician. The exam consists of two parts: a physical
examination and a semen evaluation.
Rams should be evaluated for lameness, body condition, and
any other defects which would interfere with the breeding process.
Rams need to be free from footrot or foot scald, and if necessary
have their hooves trimmed. The general health of the ram should
be evaluated by observing his eyes, feet, legs, prepuce, and penis
for any defects that would interfere with breeding.
The testes and epididimides should be palpated. A testicle that
has scar tissue or is abnormally small will reduce the breeding
capacity and endurance of the ram. Swelling of the epididymis
could be an early indication of epididymitis (Brucella ovis).
Scrotal circumference (width of the testicles at the widest
point) should be measured as it gives a good indication of a
ram's breeding ability. Sperm production is directly correlated
to testicular width. Scrotal circumference will vary with season
and body condition, but should be at its maximum peak during
the fall breeding season.
Ram lambs with a scrotal circumference of less than 30 centimeters
and adult rams with a scrotal circumference of less than 32
centimeters should probably not be used for breeding. There
is some evidence to suggest that rams with larger testicles
will sire more prolific ewes.
Scrotal circumference (cm)
|Ram lambs, 8-14 months
|Mature rams, > 14 months
|Source: Sheep Production Handbook, 2002
Semen samples can be collected using electro-ejaculation or via
an artificial vagina. Usually veterinary assistance is required
to collect semen. Semen should be evaluated for sperm motility,
morphology, and white blood cells. The minimum acceptable standards
are fair gross motility or 30 percent individual motility and
70 percent normal morphology. White blood cells in the semen are
an indication of infection (e.g. epididymitis).
A BSE does not include an evaluation of a ram's sex drive or
Libido (sex drive)
The willingness to breed ewes is highly variable among rams
and can have a major impact on sheep production, especially
in a single-sire mating scheme. Libido is a ram's desire to
mate. It is regulated by the release of testosterone, produced
by specialized cells in the testes.
Some breeds of rams show
libido almost continuously once they reach puberty.
In other breeds, there is a marked decline in libido during
the non-breeding season. Underfed and overfat rams may show
reduced libido. A ram's desire to mate also decreases with age
and disease conditions, such as arthritis.
Some rams have inheritantly poor libido. In fact, studies have shown that
up to 15 percent (average of 8 to 10 percent) of rams are homosexual
and will not mate with ewes. Unlike heterosexual males, male-oriented
rams do not experience an LH surge when exposed to estrus ewes.
They also have a reduced capacity for producing testosterone.
Animal scientists are hoping to develop a blood test which would
identify rams that will not mate with ewes. There is some evidence
to suggest that rearing rams in an all-male environment may have
a detrimental effect on mating behavior.
A "serving capacity test" can be conducted to determine
a ram's desire to mate ewes. In a serving capacity test, rams
are exposed to estrus ewes, and their breeding activity is recorded
over a period of two weeks or more. Research has shown that
a serving capacity test is useful for identifying low and high-performing
Ram serving capacity may be affected in utero by number and
sex of siblings. Rams born as co-twins were shown to have the
highest serving capacity and single born rams the lowest. In
another study, long-term selection for reproductive rate in
ewes did not affect mating behavior in male offspring. However,
serving capacity or breeding behavior is a heritable trait.
The simplest way for a producer to evaluate mating behavior is
by observing breeding performance as rams are exposed to ewes.
The use of rattle paint (on the brisket) or a marking harness can be used to monitor
breeding activity. The color of the paint or marking crayon should be changed every
17 days, starting with the lightest color first.
If a ram fails to mark ewes, he could lack the desire to mate and should be replaced.
If a high
percentage of ewes re-mark after the first 17 day heat cycle,
this means the ram is mating the ewes but they are not becoming pregnant. When it's more than a few ewes, it is likely the result of a sub-fertile or sterile ram.
A ram may lose up to 15 percent of his body weight during the breeding
season. Consequently, rams need to be in good body condition
at the time of breeding (condition score 3 to 4). Thin rams
(condition score 1 or 2) may have difficulty getting the ewes
bred, while fat (condition score 5) rams may be too lazy to
breed, and their fertility may be affected during periods of
Rams should be sheared, treated for internal parasites (if necessary),
have their feet trimmed, and be started on the diet that they
will be consuming during breeding 2 to 4 weeks prior to breeding.
They should be included in the flock vaccination program.
Ram to Ewe Ratio
The number of ewes that a ram can breed in a 34 or 51-day breeding
season varies according to the age and breeding experience of
the ram, the terrain in which the ram is working, the size of
the pasture, and the number of ewes that will be cycling at
one time. A ram can usually mate 3 to 4 ewes per day.
the recommended ratio for mature rams is 1:35 to 1:50. In large
flocks, the percentage of rams to ewes is often higher. Ratios
of 1:100 or 1:150 are not uncommon. If estrus has been synchronized,
more ram power is needed, 1 ram for every 5 to 10 ewes.
ram to ewe ratios
1:35 to 1:50
1:15 to 1:30
1:5 to 1:10
A ram lamb at 5 months of age will settle some ewes, but he will
be a better breeder by the time he is 7 or 8 months
of age. As a general rule of thumb, ram lambs should be 50 to
60 percent of their mature weight before being used for breeding.
A well-grown ram lamb should be able to mate 15 to 30 ewes in a 34 day breeding season.
Ram lambs should be fed separately from mature rams. Ram lambs
and mature rams should never be run together in the same breeding
group. The older ram(s) will dominate dominate and may injure the
younger ram(s). Ram lambs should be observed closely to monitor
their breeding behavior and libido to ensure they are servicing
and settling ewes.
The Ram Effect
Although recommendations vary, rams should be isolated from
ewes for at least 6 weeks in order for the ram effect to work.
Ewes must have no contact with rams by either sight, sound, or smell,
which means that they must be separated by distance.
The "ram effect" is when non-cycling (anestrus) ewes
are stimulated to ovulate by the sudden introduction of a ram
or "teaser" ram. Rams produce a chemical substance called
a pheromone, the smell of which stimulates the onset of estrus.
When ewes and rams are in constant contact (sight or smell), the
pheromones are much less effective at inducing estrus.
Ewes that are not cycling when a ram (or teaser) is introduced
will ovulate in 3 to 4 days. This first ovulation will be a "silent"
heat, which cannot be detected by the ram. Following this silent
heat, there will be two normal estrus peaks, with some ewes cycling
around day 18 and the remainder around day 25. Ewes that do not
conceive at either of these times may return to heat in another
17 days. It is expected that 60 to 70 percent of the ewes will
conceive at the first normal estrus. Of the remaining ewes, 60
to 70 percent should conceive at the second estrus.
The ram effect is not as effective with ewe lambs, and
is most effective during the transitional period when ewes have
not begun to cycle, but are almost ready to. Breed of ram can
affect ewes' response to the ram effect, with the less-seasonal
breeds being more effective at bringing non-cycling ewes into
The great value of the ram effect is the synchronization of estrus
activity which will result in large numbers of ewes ovulating,
conceiving, and lambing in a relatively short period of time.
To be effective, it is important to have adequate numbers of young,
healthy rams. Teaser (vasectomized) rams or testosterone-treated
wethers can also stimulate the ram effect.
It is recommended that rams be kept separate from ewes except during planned breeding seasons, typically the length of two (not more than three) heat periods (~34-51 days). If a ram is allowed to run with the ewes continuously, the shepherd will not be in control of breeding. Lambs may be born at undesirable times. Ewes may be bred when they are in poor body condition. The ram may breed his daughters and dam. Undersized ewe lambs may be bred.
Because the times of breeding and lambing will not be not known, it will be difficult to properly time vaccinations, supplemental feeding, and other management practices. Ewes will be at different stages of gestation and lactation, so it will be difficult to feed them to meet their nutritional needs. Some will likely be overfed; others, underfed.
It is not possible to take advantage of the "ram effect" if rams and ewes are continuously mixed. A ram that is housed with ewes is likely to be overfed, as a ram does not require as concentrated a diet as pregnant and lactating ewes. Some rams may be too aggressive to be housed with pregnant ewes.
In less developed countries, they have a created an "apron"to prevent rams from impregnating ewes. The apron is a flat piece of plastic or leather that is hung just behind the front legs around the ram's belly. By putting the apron on the ram(s), all of the sheep can be managed in a single flock and breeding can be controlled by the shepherd.
Causes of Ram Infertility
There can be many causes of infertility or reduced fertility in rams: e.g. poor semen
quality, poor libido, physical defects, disease, poor nutrition,
injury, heat stress, body condition, and age.
If the temperature in the testes cannot be kept low enough,
due to hot weather (e.g. over 90°F for long periods of time
or short spells of very high temperature, 100°F or more),
the production of viable sperm may be affected. Fully developed
sperm are less affected by heat stress than sperm in the developing
The prevent heat stress, rams should not have a full fleece during
the breeding season. They should be sheared 6 to 8 weeks prior
to breeding. The scrotal sack should be free from wool. Adequate shade and water should be provided during
the breeding season. In extreme circumstances, rams can be housed
during the hottest part of the day and put out for breeding during the cooler parts of the day
Epididymitis due to Brucella ovis is a common cause of
ram infertility, especially in rams in the western United States.
The disease usually affects the tail of the epididymis (the
bump at the bottom of the testicle) which becomes hardened and
swollen. Transmission is from ram-to-ewe or ram-to-ram. Infected
rams usually produce semen of lower quality, making them either
sub-fertile or sterile, depending on the site and severity of
Epididymitis can be diagnosed by scrotal palpation, blood test,
or semen evaluation. There is a commercial vaccine for epididymitis.
Its use is recommended if the risk of epididymitis is high.
Pizzle (or sheath) rot is an infection in the sheath area and
could affect breeding activity. Pizzle rot is caused a bacteria,
Corynebacterium renale (or one from that group). The other factor
is high protein diets (>16 percent crude protein). Ammonia,
produced by excess urea in the ram's urine can cause severe
irritation and ulceration of the skin around the preputial opening.
The debris from the ulcer form a crust which may block the opening
to the prepuce.
Cryptorchidism is the failure of one or both testes to descend
into the scrotum. Cryptorchids are undesirable breeding animals.
If both testicles are affected, the ram is infertile. If only
one testical is affected, the ram may be fertile, but he will
pass the trait onto his offspring.
Rams usually reach their peak breeding performance when they are 3
to 4 years old. In commercial situations, they are usually culled
by the time they are 6 years old. Older rams can be used to hand mate a small number of ewes.
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