[Jacob-list] Little Big Ram

[gf]

There are several possible explanations for this ...

Studies have shown that to train mice to fight or to be submissive you can
tie one by the tail suspending him over another in a cage. Eventually the
one free in the cage figures out the one hanging can't do anything so he
attacks and becomes very aggressive towards other mice, emboldened by his
success. The one hanging eventually learns he can't win and becomes
submissive. Even when freed from his suspended position he still retains the
inferiority complex. How does this translate, perhaps your little guy's mom
was a dominant ewe in the ewe pecking order.

Two other possibilities are an excess of Testosterone or a Napoleon complex.
You will have to have blood work for one and a pet psychiatrist for the
other !
7;-) I would be happy to sit with the little guy for $50 / hour and help him
work through his aggression problem (yes I am joking on the last part, ...
unless you are willing to pay 7;-)  )

Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: Susan Nielsen <snielsen at orednet.org>
To: <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2002 11:57 PM
Subject: [Jacob-list] Little Big Ram


> I do just shake my head sometimes.
>
> I have written before about this year's smallest ram lamb. He is
> still a wee little guy, but he has all the confidence in the world.
> Usually, when the ram lambs get into trouble, he has been the
> ring leader. You can count on it.
>
> This afternoon I was watching them from the deck. They are in the
> fenced orchard just now, where they have been cleaning up the tall
> grass, and I can look down on them without their knowing I am on
> the watch.  That little feller was bossing one of the other young
> rams around. The bigger one walked up to challenge Little Big Ram,
> and got his head bonked for his trouble.
>
> Now, by appearances, you would expect this bigger guy, who is about
> 3 times the size of his brother, to just knock the little one down. But
> no. Little Big Ram bonked him again.  The big 'un looked around, as if
> expecting the reinforcements to show up. No one did. Little Big Ram
> hit him again, and started backing the other one down. Step by step they
> made their way across the orchard, the big one going backwards every
> inch. If he didn't go fast enough, Little Big Ram reminded him. Finally
> the larger one just gave up and turned sideways, and the issue was
> settled.
>
> But you have to wonder what is going on here? That little bitty ram
> shouldn't be all that impressive to those other guys. What a buncha
> pansies!
>
> Does anybody really understand how the social order of sheep is worked
> out?
>
> Susan
> --
> Susan Layne Nielsen, Shambles Workshops      |"...Gently down the
> Beavercreek, OR, USA -- snielsen at orednet.org  |stream..." -- Anon.
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