Good video Michael. The video shows just how powerful rams really are. Also shows why I refuse to keep any ram whose sole purpose in life is to kill me!
I am not sure if everybody saw the video correctly but the third ram that joined in was acting as peace maker. He was not being aggressive. I do not know what transpired between the two aggressive rams but the third one was convinced that the one in the corner started it and needed to just stop. If the third ram was backing off as far as the aggressive ram and hitting equally hard then they have created an alliance. The two on one scenario is almost always against a dominant ram that the other two cannot beat individually. I have only had that two on one situation once. I eliminated one of the two teamed up rams and the whole group of rams was better for it. I run a large bunch of rams together which currently is around 20 rams. They are the most enjoyable group of sheep I have. They come up to say hi and get a good rub (anywhere but the head). I do not worry about being hit. I am able to walk anywhere with them without a stick or fear of getting hit. If anyone tries to hurt me they go to the freezer without appeal. I have senior, junior and freshman (lambs) in my group. There is a pecking order which continually changes. There is a ram code of ethics in this bachelor group. The occasional very hard head butt is something they like to savor. They will hit and stand next to each other and you can just see them thinking "Man that was a good one!". Then they look at each other and do it again. But even though they are hitting hard it is just recreation and always head to head. There will be no peace maker involved in this situation. A cheap shot (and deadly kill hit) is a hit to the ribs. This violates the rams code of ethics. Any ram in my group that does this will immediately be put in his place by the entire group of rams. No hitting the ribs is a "ram law". It is very common for the peace maker ram to step between rams that are fighting exposing his ribs to both aggressor rams. The aggressors will try to go around him but the peace maker will just keep spoiling the fight till it stops. Or like in the video the peace maker makes it to difficult for the ram that usually started the fight to continue to fight. Just like us humans there are some rams that have no code of ethics. If you have a ram that T-bones others in the ribs put them in the freezer (they taste just fine). OK.... you introduce ewes and there are no more rules. Rams will fight and possibly to the death. There should be no common fence between them or you will not have a fence anymore. If you get into a pen you must keep an eye on the ram. They are not your friend until the girls are gone and they are back home in their bachelor group. Good video. Mark Wintermute -----Original Message----- From: blackbelly-boun...@lists.blackbellysheep.info [mailto:blackbelly-boun...@lists.blackbellysheep.info] On Behalf Of Michael Smith Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2014 8:59 PM To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Cc: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Blackbelly Digest, Vol 10, Issue 1 No deaths yet, but this time around I was not too sure if I might not see one. Glad I did not. I've only been at this since 2008. As some of the other herders have told me offline, a cheap shot to the ribs might be more likely than actually breaking a neck. And a broken rib can really devastate a sheep. -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies Sent from my iPad > On Jan 7, 2014, at 3:35 PM, Mike Hummel <m...@soggytopfarm.com> wrote: > > Along with Rick's question have they ever killed/injured each other? Or like chickens is it more of a pecking order issue? > > >> On 1/7/2014 6:19 PM, Rick Krach wrote: >> Two questions, Michael: do you really have to keep so many rams together? It seems like sure, eventual death for the weakest of them. Secondly, they all have beautiful, double-curled horns. I don't see that very often so wonder if you find them to be more valuable? >> >> >> Rick Krach >> in Auburn, CA >> >> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> -- >>> >>> Message: 1 >>> Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2014 18:17:55 -0800 >>> From: Michael Smith <mwsmotorspo...@gmail.com> >>> To: blackbelly <blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info> >>> Subject: [Blackbelly] ABB Rams fighting video >>> Message-ID: >>> <CAHiKykiXOhwGDHu=jeejk_joqgc1awllcoeykh+to_1don_...@mail.gmail.com> >>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >>> >>> I'm posting a link to this video I happened to capture, for those of >>> you who don't have multiple rams and have not seen this up close >>> before. While it is awe-inspiring to watch, you can tell by my voice >>> as I record it, I take no pleasure in watching two of my rams fight >>> like this. >>> >>> Ultimately, neither was harmed. >>> >>> The description of what is happening and why, is in the video caption. >>> >>> -Michael Smith, Perino Ranch Blackbellies >>> >>> http://youtu.be/fnAw_zVofm8 >> _______________________________________________ >> This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's >> homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info > > _______________________________________________ > This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's > homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info _______________________________________________ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3658/6984 - Release Date: 01/07/14 _______________________________________________ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
