Re: [Blackbelly] Safe Handling of Horned Rams
Use a rope noose around the base of BOTH horns to help control the head-- This is what a lot of the local goat and sheep people do, as well as some of the cattle owners. If you need to manhandle the animal, A good grip on the horn area, along with a solid grip of the lower jaw helps keep that head where it belongs I saw a couple sheep farm workers handling a rather nasty jacobs a few weeks ago-- one person on each side, each with the horn grabbed by their inside hand, and each with a grip that put their fingers of the outside hand under the lower jaw, with the thumb hooked over the jaw behind the incisors. A local dairyman handles the bullocks this way, as well-- he doesn't poll or steer his youngsters because they do go to slaughter when they have finished out... Terry W --- Barb Lee [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Does anybody have suggestions for their preferred method of restraining horned rams for routine treatments such as hoof trimming? Also, anybody have thoughts on disbudding ram lambs intended for slaughter? Barb ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info Got a little couch potato? Check out fun summer activities for kids. http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mailp=summer+activities+for+kidscs=bz ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Safe Handling of Horned Rams
I've always just held the rams by the horns while someone else trims the hoofs, standing up, like a horse. If I have to do it myself, I run a rope through the horns and tie him up by them in a corner so I can push him against a fence on one side to hold him still and then proceed to trim, again standing, like you would a horse. Our grown rams have always been too big for us to 'throw down'. I've never had any problem handling the rams by the horns - I prefer horned rams for just that reason, so easy to hold and control. Onalee -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Barb Lee Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 2:35 PM To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] Safe Handling of Horned Rams Does anybody have suggestions for their preferred method of restraining horned rams for routine treatments such as hoof trimming? Also, anybody have thoughts on disbudding ram lambs intended for slaughter? Barb ___ 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
[Blackbelly] FW: Safe Handling of Horned Rams
Hi Barb, I love the handles that come with horned rams, so I don't disbud. We use to disbud our goat kids...a requirement for showing 4-H goats...but I hated the process. Even when done properly, smoke will come out of their noses, so you have to wonder what the heat is doing to their brain as well. We use to apply an ice pack for a minute right afterwards. I'm not sure if it helped them, but it made me feel better. I look forward to hearing how everyone else deals with restraining larger horned rams. Right now, the smaller lambs get halter tied to a post and fed a bit of grain while I give shots or trim hooves. The larger ram is a different story. I can catch him by his horns but then my husband has to hold him to free up my hands. I know there must me a better way. Last year I tried to give him a Bo-Se shot by myself. I got him into a corner, stuck one end of his horns into the ground and backed into him. It took all of my weight to hold him there...and then that only lasted for a short time. I decided I was too old to do that again! Renee Bailey Does anybody have suggestions for their preferred method of restraining horned rams for routine treatments such as hoof trimming? Also, anybody have thoughts on disbudding ram lambs intended for slaughter? Barb ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info Get news, entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Check it out! _ Explore the seven wonders of the world http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=7+wonders+worldmkt=en-USform=QBRE ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] hoof trimming
When we trim hooves we pen the rams and catch by the horns like everyone else. Then my husband picks them up and puts them on their backs between my legs while I am sitting on the ground and I cradle them between my legs and hold on to their horns.I talk to them and rub their faces and chin while he trims. When down we worm them orally and give shots if needed in the neck area. I do need a fence or panel to lean agains otherwise I can't last past 7 or 8. We did 40 one afternoon back in April and now its time to start over with them and then comes the 150 ewes.! Nancy - Mossy Springs ranch. ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
