If Uhtred kept 24 ewes and 1 ram out of 200 head and killed the others, lost 2 and lambed 22 for 26 lambs, he would have to keep the ewe lambs say 12 and then would have only 14 ( less losses) to kill next year.The ewe lambs would not lamb until they were 2 years. The situation is even worse with cattle. Even today we only ave. 85% calves reared and they would not be of a size to kill until well into their 2nd year and replacements not calving until 3yrs. old. This great autumn slaughter is a myth unless we are talking of pigs or rabbits! Enjoy your stories very much.

David Evans (45 yrs in farm management)