[Blackbelly] what to do about an aggressive ram?
Hi everybody, Couple quick questions First, I have a 2 year old ram we bought to breed with our two ewes, but lately he seems to be beating up on everyone else. While he maintains a healthy fear of people every now and then I see him chasing down and head butting our ewes, lamb, and two nigerian dwarf goat wethers - but especially the ewes. Normally it's not too bad but lately he's been getting pretty aggressive. I'm finally getting around to asking about this after one of our goats got a pretty bad gash on the top of his head. Does anyone have any good ideas how to put him in his place? Will they just work this out themselves? Or should I just go get a different ram and send him to the freezer? Second, I think our ewes are pregnant cause they're getting really fat - another reason why I'm concerned about the ram. Is there a way to know for sure? Thanks! -Bob ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] what to do about an aggressive ram?
Hmm... you could try a ram shield, but otherwise that's the kind of behavior that gets rams put in the freezer... Julian ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] what to do about an aggressive ram?
Hello Bob, I have the same situation here. For the first time ever, our 2 yr old ram is also very aggressive and he has come at me one time too many. He is going into the freezer this week. He's beautiful, has fulfilled his job and I truly love him...but...I won't have a ram on the place that I cannot intermingle with like I can with my current other ones. This ram is also being way too rough with his ewes and I just said today that he needs to be separated before he damages a ewe or her unborn lambs. Sad, but they can be too dangerous and at 2...some rams act like belligerent teenagers! He sure will taste good, though! G Beth in central OR ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] what to do about an aggressive ram?
Bob, About pregnant ewes: best thing is to watch their udders. If they begin to enlarge or bag up...then they are surely bred. Beth ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] pregnancy
Rick, Yes, you're exactly right, some time in the last week to 10 days. Since vet bills are so high, it's not feasible to ultrasound the ewes or preg check them like they do the cows. This year, we know exactly when to expect lambs so we'll just watch and wait. If you run a wild flock like we have done in the past...lambs can come at various times. It's really hard to tell which ewes are pregnant when they have on their winter coats. Mine look fat and wooly right now...but I can tell by the round belly shapes of the more experienced ewes that they are pregnant. I have been surprised by some of the first time moms...they didn't look pregnant at all...but they were. Beth PS Any more experienced shepherds have comments?? - Original Message - From: Rick Krach rickkr...@hotmail.com Beth, doesn't that udder enlargement or bagging up not happen until the last days of pregnancy? Or maybe the last weeks? ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
