[Jacob-list] Re: sheep and goats

[dazazel at usit.net]

At 09:19 AM 6/9/00 -0700, you wrote:
>Welcome,
>We have both sheep and goats. We keep them separate because the goats are
>more domineering and push the sheep away from food and shelter if they want
>it. The most domineering  goats will park themselves in front of the feeders
>and keep them to themselves. There is enough competition within the pecking
>order of each flock without adding another dimension to it. Otherwise they
>get along well (but separately)when we run them together on grass.
>
>Denny

I've noticed the opposite with my sheep and goats, which are together in the
same pasture.  The Jacobs tend to boss the goats around.  Of course, the
goats are very small (fainters).  In fact, this morning I saw my Jacob ewe
Ann and the fainter doe have a minor (and, it seemed, good humored) butting
contest for a few moments.  It was mostly pushing and didn't seem to be over
anything--they weren't anywhere near the hay or minerals or water, etc.  The
doe is polled so I was worried she'd get hurt, but they must do this a lot
because it seemed old hat to them.

Katherine

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