Fwd: Re: [Jacob-list] fun with rams....NOT

[Abigail Brown]

Hello All,
 
I like Mary Ellen's method. It is a little more forceful and what my husband did w/ our first ram. When he misbehaved he would throw him on his back and sit on him. 
 
I currently use a spray bottle w/vinegar, and spray in their face. It doesn't harm them and they definitely don't like it! 
 
We will begin to use Mary Ellen's method, reminds me of the days when we had our horses. You always had to let them know who was boss, and sometimes you had to be very forceful because of their size.
 
Thanks Mary Ellen!
 
Abigail Brown
Shiloh Farm
Petersburg, IN 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neal and Louise Grose <nlgrose at yadtel.net> wrote:
From: "Neal and Louise Grose" 
To: 
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] fun with rams....NOT
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 10:56:57 -0400

"What techniques have other breeders used SUCCESSFULLY
to curb obnoxious younger rams?  "

I find that carrying a stick down beside your leg and striking up to his
nose is very effective. They do not seem to be able to anticipate something
coming up at them in this manner.

The other thing is that simply grabbing a horn and picking the head up often
stops the 'charge response'. While their head is up, take the opportunity to
bash them square in the nose. I have had rams go off and sulk after this
treatment.

In regards to using a water gun, I have heard of using a weak ammonia
solution in them, and am wondering if the brine off of those pickled
jalapenos wouldn't work really well!

Neal Grose

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary Hansson" <buffgeese at yahoo.com>
To: <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 6:16 AM
Subject: [Jacob-list] fun with rams....NOT



Hi,

Just thought I would pass this on for your enjoyment
and edification.....

I am using 5 different rams this fall as I have
mentioned.  I got one yearling ram in from Mark and
Cathie Williams this summer.  He seems to be a fine
fellow much of the time---calm tempered, respectful,
but curious.  Well last evening, I had all the sheep
caught up in individual small pens so we can get ahold
of them easily today for their OPP testing and
possible rabies vaccinations.  I was working with one
of my girls when Shakespeare decided he just NEEDED to
size me up.

For those of you with rams long enough, you know that
sizing up eye.  Anyway, he backed up and tried a
little trial charge.  That was enough for me.  I
pocketed my vial of stuff and chased that ram down,
flipped him on his back and stuck those horns down
into the ground yelling down at him all the while.  I
kept him there probably 30 seconds to a minute before
rolling him over.  He avoided me the rest of the
evening.  Hopefully, that SMALL lesson will be enough
to keep him behaving for awhile.  Something tells me
he will need more discussions.

What techniques have other breeders used SUCCESSFULLY
to curb obnoxious younger rams?  The one that is
obviously the most effective is slaughter----and I
have used that with a willing and quick heart here.  I
am looking for methods that keep the animal alive BUT
permanently change the behavior.  :o)

Mary ELlen


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