Hey Barb: I feel your pain. When we first started out about 5 years ago we were in the same spot. Big pasture and nowhere to really round up the sheep. We purchased some corral panels and made a round pen for them. We fed them there all the time so they would get used to going in the corral. Well it was easy to catch the big ones, but the same ones just slip the panels. We know have a 24'x12' livestock shelter. On one side we have made a hay storage spot, fencing it off with cattle panel. We then fence off the front as well with cattle panel and a small 4x4 gate to enter the shelter. The sheep are fed in there now making it a much smaller area to catch them. Most of the time they are busy eating and we are able to snag them, especially the young rams because you just grab on to their horns. The ewes are a little more wilier. We normally use a shepherds crook to get around the necks (I do that as my wife or son grabs the sheep) or I use a rope just like roping cattle. You can pad the rope if you want, but they are normally not on long enough to do any hurt. In small, confined area, with high, tough fencing (hence the cattle panel) we have no problem catching them at all.
In an open area, barbado can be almost impossible to catch, unless you rope real well. Where do you live? If it is close enough, my son and I would lend a hand and help you out. If all else fails, you can ask you local high school football team over to catch them. That should get them ready for fall ball. Sincerely, Steve *********************************************** Dr. Stephen Crawford Director of Bands & Percussion Studies University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 900 College St. Belton, TX 76513 PH: 254-295-4816 FAX: 254-295-4158 EMAIL: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ********************************************** -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Barb Lee Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 8:10 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [blackbelly] Catching Sheep Being new at this sheep caper, I don't have much in the way of dheep handling facilities. I've got one that needs some attention, and I may as well be trying to catch the wind. We tried setting up some "traps", but they were waaay too savvy for that. One of them can fly through the air with the greatest of ease. I'm feeling a bit stressed at the moment, to put it lightly, and wondering if I've made a big mistake. I have a plan drawn out for a small sorting/handling area, but jeez, I'm afraid if it's not roofed, they'll just go over the top of anything I erect. Anybody care to share ideas about snagging the little devils? Should I have bought a sheep dog before I even thought about getting these things? Thanks. I need some encouragement. Barb Lee =============================================== 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]/
