[Blackbelly] Aggressive Rams
Hi Everyone, I rarely post but have learned s much through this list. Thank you to everyone for sharing. I have had AB's for almost 5 years feel that I have something of interest to share with everybody. I, too, have had my fill of rams with bad attitudes through the years (I used to raise woolies ages ago). Over time, I've carried a 2 x 4, a pitchfork, I've used ram shields, have learned to jump a fence rather quickly (the fences are getting taller as I age though :-) . This past fall, quite by chance, I found an alternative method that my current ram has no idea how to respond to. I have a Old English Mastiff teenager (she's 1 1/2) that loves to use the buffet as I'm cleaning out the rabbit barn, keeping the door shut while cleaning isn't an option. I got tired of chasing, scolding hollering at her, so I was using a spray bottle set on stream to get her attention to try to break her of the habit. It's only got water in it, so no harm, no foul, she doesn't think that I can touch her from 15 feet away. Guess again. it's working. I was in the barn, right after shooting her with the water, I had to dump the wheelbarrow which was right in the vicinity of where my ram was. He'd never tried me before, but I guess he was feeling a bit frisky (he was coming 2 at that time). He looked at me, backed up a couple of steps, got 3 quick shots of water in the face. I've never seen a ram so bewildered in my life! He shook his head, backed up tried again, but to no avail. He still can't comprehend how I can touch him from a distance! Now I just carry a spray bottle whenever I go out in the field, it works great (although it doesn't look near as classy as a shepherds crook). I also use this when I grain the girls in the evening (I've only got 7 total, they get just a small amount), have trained him to keep to his own grain bucket, he's not pushing the girls out of theirs. Most of the time, he is very polite now, usually finds something to keep himself busy when I have work to do out in the field. We've had to go 'round a couple of times but it seems to have helped him decide who is dominant, without causing him, nor myself, any harm ( he's even learned a dance step or two!). This is something that I only use when I have to, but I keep it with me in case I may need it. I hope that this has been of interest may help some of you. Karen Spokane, WA ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Aggressive Rams
An Excellent Idea! It also works great on Dogs chasing Cars.. Cecil in OKla rexesandro...@aol.com wrote: Hi Everyone, I rarely post but have learned s much through this list. Thank you to everyone for sharing. I have had AB's for almost 5 years feel that I have something of interest to share with everybody. I, too, have had my fill of rams with bad attitudes through the years (I used to raise woolies ages ago). Over time, I've carried a 2 x 4, a pitchfork, I've used ram shields, have learned to jump a fence rather quickly (the fences are getting taller as I age though :-) . This past fall, quite by chance, I found an alternative method that my current ram has no idea how to respond to. I have a Old English Mastiff teenager (she's 1 1/2) that loves to use the buffet as I'm cleaning out the rabbit barn, keeping the door shut while cleaning isn't an option. I got tired of chasing, scolding hollering at her, so I was using a spray bottle set on stream to get her attention to try to break her of the habit. It's only got water in it, so no harm, no foul, she doesn't think that I can touch her from 15 feet away. Guess again. it's working. I was in the barn, right after shooting her with the water, I had to dump the wheelbarrow which was right in the vicinity of where my ram was. He'd never tried me before, but I guess he was feeling a bit frisky (he was coming 2 at that time). He looked at me, backed up a couple of steps, got 3 quick shots of water in the face. I've never seen a ram so bewildered in my life! He shook his head, backed up tried again, but to no avail. He still can't comprehend how I can touch him from a distance! Now I just carry a spray bottle whenever I go out in the field, it works great (although it doesn't look near as classy as a shepherds crook). I also use this when I grain the girls in the evening (I've only got 7 total, they get just a small amount), have trained him to keep to his own grain bucket, he's not pushing the girls out of theirs. Most of the time, he is very polite now, usually finds something to keep himself busy when I have work to do out in the field. We've had to go 'round a couple of times but it seems to have helped him decide who is dominant, without causing him, nor myself, any harm ( he's even learned a dance step or two!). This is something that I only use when I have to, but I keep it with me in case I may need it. I hope that this has been of interest may help some of you. Karen Spokane, WA ___ 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
Re: [Blackbelly] Breeding twice in a year
Hi all from TX, What I do is flush the ewe. That means that I feed the ewe real well for about 6 weeks before putting the ram in. But, I have found it actually better to have 3 lamb crops in 2 years. Much easier on the ewe and the human. Here in Central TX, fire ants become a concern if lambing in late spring to summer. Have fun!! Rhonda - Original Message - From: Dave Andrus andruscompan...@netecin.net To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 6:11 PM Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Breeding twice in a year My primary question is...If you want to lamb twice in one year how soon after lambing should the ewe be exposed again? The secondary question is what advice and experiances has everyone had breeding twice in one year? TIA, Dave ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.19.20/756 - Release Date: 2/4/2008 12:00 AM ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
