Personalities vary among individual rams. IME, most rams are very tolerant of their flock, walking softly and carrying a big stick. When a ewe comes in heat, he will keep her separate and run off any frisky youngsters but nothing serious. I have had maybe a couple over the years that have been a little less tolerant of others. I don't think any of mine have been "bad" enough to cause any serious damage though. I have heard others say they thought their rams may have caused extensive injuries or even death in some of their younger/smaller sheep. I think these are isolated incidences and I wouldn't worry about it.
I guess if I had a ram that was being overly belligerent to really small lambs, I would be tempted to put him in the freezer or at least separate him from the others for a time. I wouldn't pass on those genes. Chris B. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 6:22 PM To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [blackbelly] Ram w/ flock year round I've seen mixed flocks with the rams/wethers present at all times. In some cases the boys get rough with the babies, and sometimes even with the ewes, butting them in the sides. I've always wondered about this behavior. The lambs are not a threat, and the ewes "belong" to the boys, so why the behavior? Is it just dominance? Should the naught boys be separated until the lambs are safely born and old enough to run away? Tracy _______________________________________________ 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
