[Jacob-list] Destructive ram

[Robin Lynde]

I just wrote promoting the use of hot wires. I agree with Linda, that they definitely have to learn about it first. That doesn't take too long. But even then, when fighting they won't pay attention.
Robin Lynde
Meridian Jacobs
Vacaville, CA 
www.meridianjacobs.com 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Linda 
  To: Gotothewhip at aol.com ; jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Friday, August 24, 2007 1:56 PM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Destructive ram


  I tried a hot wire on a destructive ram I had.  It didn't really work very well as his destructive behaviour was too set.  You have to be sure your ram is trained to it so he doesn't just hit it and snap it.  I had that happen once and the hot wire wrapped around the ram's flank (and around the scrotum). It wasn't the destructive ram. He had some serious neurologic damage before I found him in the morning.  I'd thought he was trained to the hot wire, but I was sure wrong.  The destructive ram would hit anything solid (but not people).  He couldn't be in a barn as he would tear the walls down.  He couldn't be anywhere where there were wooden fence posts - he would keep after them until they broke or bent.  You couldn't walk by outside his fence carrying a piece of plywood or even a board or he would hit the fence going after the plywood.  I made him a tarp barn shelter once and he actually charged vertically to hit the roof, which was the only solid part of the barn.  He tore the trailer half apart on the way to the butcher AND he managed to tear a plank out of the bull pen at the butcher's.  Whew, I sure don't miss him!

  I wouldn't want to take the chance on a ram with forward tipping horns and a history of going through gates and fences.  It sure wouldn't be worth it if he bred some of your good ewes.  Maybe you could have him wethered? That might help his destructive tendencies.

  Linda
   
  www.patchworkfibers.com
  Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn


  > He isn't aggressive at all.. Just seems to enjoy the BANG he
  > creates!
  >
  > I don't know about his fleece, but I'm not impressed with his horns
  > tipping forward.... We thought we might use him on our flock... But
  > I think he might hurt the quality of our ewes.  His late June ewe
  > lamb is very nice, but I just don't think it will be a good
  > cross.....
  >
  > On the freezer... I'm stuck, as all of the processors are booked
  > for 6-8 weeks as they are swamped with County fair and State fair
  > animals.  Not to mention I took this guy in to give him a good
  > home... a home he is trying to DESTROY!  But i feel obligated
  > nonetheless
  >
  > Anyone tried the hot wire?
  >
  >
  > Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com.


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