[Jacob-list] Rammed

[Wayne & Edie Van Valkenburg]

Oh please, shepherds be very careful.  we must keep the rams on our mind
at all times when we go into their territory.  Most rams show signs of
possession and dominance when they go into their 3rd year.
There is a pecking order in all species and that includes the shepherd
in the chain of things.
Fortunately, Wayne is alert and strong enough to teach the rams that he
is the dominant one when he goes into their field. If he must discipline
one he does strike at their head and continues until he backs them up
and they say uncle. All the time he is sharply saying NO, NO.   Then he
will give them a handful of feed.  Thus far this has been very
successful.
I f one threatens after this treatment we just sharply say No and the
stop and think  This gives you time to maneuver yourself.
I highly recommend not running the rams with the ewes except for
breeding season. At this time of year as the ewes are close to lambing
their hormones are raging and this alerts the rams.  They then become
possessive and guardians of their girls.
This was brought home to us when a dear friend who has raised sheep for
20 some years was rammed so severely in his groin 2 years ago that he
was given a 10% chance to survive.  His spleen and bowel were ruptured
plus his kidneys failed from the experimental medicine they gave him to
fight the infection.  It has been a miracle.  After 2 years, and
dialysis his kidneys are functioning on their own and he has his life
back.  this was a 70 year old man.
Please be extra careful.
Edie, Joy Farm, NJ