To band or not to band? That is the question...

RedTartan · #1 08/07/12, 03:46 PM

Is it better to band or not band lambs that are going to the butcher in November?

On one hand, I've heard that they get bigger if they're left intact. (Though I've also heard that they get bigger if they're banded. Which is true? I would think they'd be bigger intact.)

On the other, some people think that they'll start to taste funny if they're left intact?

Do you band the lambs that you're going to butcher or just leave them?

Thanks.

mariaricarto · #2 08/07/12, 05:55 PM

I just leave them. They don't taste different.

Callieslamb · #3 08/07/12, 08:04 PM

Breeds might make a difference. I left mine intact this year. I hope I don't live to regret it at breeding season.

Sunmill · #4 08/07/12, 09:49 PM

If I recall correctly, you will get a heaver but fatter meat from a wether as opposed to an intact ram lamb. Which does stand to reason, wethers are lazier than the intact lambs.

It really depends on what you'd like to deal with, I find having the intact lambs constantly jumping and butting around, plus testing their rank with us working around them is an annoyance. But they are only around for a short time (we sell most of ours around the 40-50lb mark), if we were finishing them I think I would band them (but only at 24-48hrs of age, any time after that is just not ethical IMO).

LibertyWool · #5 08/08/12, 08:07 AM

Wool breeds tend to get rammy tasting later than meat breeds. So, if you have a wool breed, I would not bother banding (and don't, unless it's a bottle ram lamb that might be going as a pet). The other reason to band would be if you are leaving the lambs with the ewes past mid August. I'm going to pull my ram lambs next weekend. They will go to the butcher in October.

MDKatie · #6 08/08/12, 08:30 AM

We butchered a yearling Romney ram and the meat was great. I left my Southdown ram lambs intact this year too. It's just easier!

Somerhill · #7 08/08/12, 09:20 AM

I leave all our BFL ram lambs intact. We sell the meat at a farmers market, and our customers constantly tell me how sweet and mild it is. naturally, the rams have to be separated from the ewe lambs in the fall. Since BFLs are so gentle and easy going, we don't have problems with the ram lambs fighting or bullying each other. I often put the ram lambs in with the adult rams after breeding time to let them finish growing out. Like others have said - it depends on the breed.

jklloyd · #8 08/08/12, 09:59 PM

The muslim buyers which are many here want an entact male. there is a discount for a banded male here.