[Jacob-list] thumps and bumps

[Meg Steensland]

Re: handling sheep by oneself - I built two paddocks out back with a  tractor runway between and ended up making the runway into a ram   pen and then made a smaller catch pen at the front end between the  two.  This works well and I use the catch pen routinely to feed  grain (and they trust using it).  Still takes two people to  drench, do hooves or give shots.  But I can snag a select sheep to  move her to the barn for subsequent treatment when I can schedule help.
  
  In my big road pasture, I made a 14x8 catch pen just this year and can  use it similarly.  Lamas sometimes get in while I am trying to  snag sheep and they make it easier to trap someone (sheep).

Ralene Mitschler <rmitschler at gmail.com> wrote:  Hi All
A question about working sheep by oneself.  Has anyone found a way to
pen sheep by yourself?  My husband has had carpel tunnel surgery on
both wrists so we are coming up with new schemes.  Last weekend we
figured out how he could take notes and hand me things but I was proud
of my success of wrangling the girls on my own.  There were a couple
of wethers mixed in that were too tall to straddle and two ewes too
round, but the rest of us managed quite well.

 Today I decided to clean up a fleece of a ewe who had a touch of
diarrhea but seems fine now.  I cornered and caught her and drug her
to my handling panels and then realized I had accidently trapped
another ewe by herself.  She panicked and sproinged.  It surprised
both of us when she caught me straight in the chest!  : )  Anyway I
kept my hold on my first ewe and went about my business when I got my
wind back but...

I know several of you have wrestled with the idea of how to work sheep
as things change with health etc of another helper.  OR as the kids
age and move away.  Do the chutes like those I see in premier one
work?  Or is it really tricky to get them in?  Do those chutes  make
it likely sheep will break horns?  Has anybody found anything
lightweight enough to help push the sheep to the panels without injury
to sheep and shepherd?

I hope I still have another decade or two left to handle my sheep
myself but accidents like this make me think about handling designs
that are a little safer : )  I know jacobs and dogs don't always work
out but maybe that would be enough help?
Ralene

-- 
Ralene Mitschler
Chicory Lane Farm Jacob sheep
www.blueflowerflock.com
687 Oxford Ave
Hanover PA  17331
rmitschler at gmail.com
717.630.2988
717.817.3794 cell
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