[Jacob-list] I'm all for true love, but this is ridiculous

[Linda]

If Dude's behaviour is new, I would think something has changed.  Rams will pay more attention to ewes just before 
lambing (sometimes even trying to mount during lambing).   I used to keep my rams in with the flock all year, but I 
don't like the extra hassle of it, don't like to grain rams when they don't need it, I like to go out and hand feed my 
ewes without a ram pushing me around for hand treats, I don't like a ram seeing me as a threat when I need to catch and 
hold a ewe or a lamb.  In order words.... I'm just all around happier without the ram in with the ewes and Dude could 
hurt Sherry or her lamb(s).

We had one ram that totally hated the donkeys and would charge one of the donkeys.  That donkey never liked that ram, 
but did fine with the other sheep.  Dude may have charged Sophie at one time.  I'm actually more worried that a ram 
would hurt or spoil a donkey than I am that the donkey will hurt the ram.  If you see Sophie grabbing Dude by the back, 
or trying to, she's definitely trying to hurt him.   I think I would move Dude out, both for bothering Sherry and for 
Sophie's dislike of him.


Linda


On Fri, 7 Jan 2005 10:36:53 EST, ACAMDA at aol.com wrote:
>Good Morning, Everyone!
>
>This year, for the first time, we have a ram around the place.  He was not
>wethered in the spring because he was promised to a good home, but that fell
>through.  So "The Dude" has been with us all summer and fall, and has bred all
>the ladies here, we think.
>
>For the past few days, he has been inseparable from one of our older ewes,
>Sherry.  He is never more than six feet from her.  Occasionally he will try to
>mount her, but mostly he's just "there".  Sherry has some fleece pulled on her
>rump, and may have a slight limp, but other than that she doesn't seem worse
>for his attention.  She just looks tired and slow to me.  We expect Sherry to
>lamb around the first of February.  The one who seems to be having a problem
>with all this is our guard donkey.  She is constantly trying to separate them,
>and will face off against the ram, chase him, or push him away.  I can't tell
>if they are seriously angry, or playing some kind of animal king of the hill.
>
>Questions:  Is it normal behavior for Dude to be so interested in Sherry at
>this point?  Could he be harmful to her or a lamb?  I know some of you keep
>your rams in with the flock all year - is that a problem at lambing?  Lastly,
>have any of you seen problems with guard animals and rams?  We're trying to
>find Dude a good home - he's well mannered so far, and has great horns and
>fleece - but I like my donkey more.
>
>Thanks for your help.  I hope the quiet list means everything is peaceful.
>
>Kathey Athens, GA


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