Hi list, I'm relatively new to the list --my ram just turned 2--and like you experienced, he became a brat overnight-- knocked down a friend of mine (240+ pounds, 6' 6'')--twice. I told him once, shame on the ram--but twice--shame on him! Until very recently the ram has been very sweet. I read that dumping a bucket of water over the ram's head is effective--I've done this twice now and have had no trouble since--it seems to have worked in this case.
I'm in NC with only a few sheep (some blackbelly, and some dorper/blackbelly/khatadin crosses. Lorie > [Original Message] > From: Carol J. Elkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: 7/6/2004 9:59:55 PM > Subject: [blackbelly] Re: ram behavior (was New to list) > > Hi Julian, > > Welcome to the list! You probably know from searching the archives at > http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ that there is a > wide variety of experience with ram behavior, and that most of it has not > been pleasant. What I have not seen anyone mention is when such behavior > first manifests itself and under what circumstances. My ram Zane went from > mild-mannered to want-to-kill you overnight at about age 2 years. He is > still VERY easy to handle and will walk beside me like a dog on a leash. > However, if I give him any backup room, he will charge me. My understanding > is that some serious hormones kick in around 2 years, thus accounting for > the increased aggression. If anyone can provide more information about the > hormone thing, I'd appreciate it. > > Zane has been an alpha male from the day he was born. He never had an adult > ram around to inflict any pecking order on him. I have a theory (and invite > everyone to provide data that will support or refute it) that a ram that is > raised by itself, and particularly bottle rams, will develop an alpha ram > personality and become dangerous. My theory also suggests that if a ram > lamb is not raised in the company of an alpha ram, he will be less > aggressive to humans. > > So, as James Harper suggested, I think you can get a couple years of > breeding from your bottle ram and then need to replace him with one of his > sons. You might want to read the article I wrote for Sheep! magazine > entitled "How to Grow Your Flock with Only One Ram." The URL is at > http://www.critterhaven.biz/conbreed.htm. > > Carol > > At 09:31 PM 7/6/2004 -0400, you wrote: > >What > >are my chances of getting this little guy off with the rest of my flock, > >and not be overly dangerous to anyone later in life? > > Carol Elkins > Critterhaven Estate > Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep > (no shear, no dock, no fuss) > Pueblo, Colorado > http://www.critterhaven.biz > T-shirts, mugs, caps, and more at the > Barbados Blackbelly Online Store http://www.cafepress.com/blackbellysheep > > =============================================== > This message is from the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep mailing list (http://www.awrittenword.com/listserv/index.html). > To respond to this message, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To unsubscribe or change your membership options, go to http://lists.coyotenet.net/mailman/listinfo/blackbelly > To search the archives, go to http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ =============================================== This message is from the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep mailing list (http://www.awrittenword.com/listserv/index.html). To respond to this message, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe or change your membership options, go to http://lists.coyotenet.net/mailman/listinfo/blackbelly To search the archives, go to http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
