[blackbelly] horned

[Murph]

i have two breeds of sheep that i run together, the
bbb, and dorpers,  i use a bbb ram ( horned) on both
breeds of ewe.  I have lost three ewes to coyotes, all
were the dorpers.  Since then i let the rams and a
large wethered goat ( with horns) live with the ewes
year round.  It may be co incidence, but i have not
lost any stock since.

There was a large golden retriever that got in with
the sheep and was trying to worry them, and i honestly
thought the rams were going to kill her.  She did
manage to escape but has not returned to the sheep pen
since.  my own dogs will not go into the sheep field.

I hope that i do not loose any more stock to the
coyotes, but as a precaution, will continue to allow
the herd to live together,and not separate the ram. 
The disadvantage to this is that i did have one father
daughter mating this year, i guess i did not wean the
lambs off early enough to prevent it.  When i wean, i
keep the weanlings in with the horned wether, and in
the closest paddock to home, to deter coyotes.

i do not have experience with horned ewes.





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