The present study supports that 5‐day short‐term CIDR treatments without administration of eCG are equally effective for inducing oestrus behaviour, preovulatory LH discharge and ovulation in sheep than classical protocols based on 14‐day treatments plus eCG at CIDR withdrawal. However, the implementation of a 5‐day protocol without eCG for fixed‐time artificial insemination would be adapted to a later timing of ovulation (p < .05).