[Jacob-list] When Your sheep is smarter than you are!

[Linda]

Or she doesn't want to get out - she knows you'll be back to put in more feed LOL

Sheep can squeeze through the smallest spaces.  I have crept feed (creep feeded? creep fed?) at times. It's usually more trouble than it's worth for me. I've seen pregnant ewes that looked like they could hardly fit through a walk through gate suck it up and squeeze through the very tiny opening to the creep feeder.  I'd be nervous about hanging something around her neck if you think she is jumping.  She could get caught up and possibly hang herself.  Maybe try taping a piece of pvc to her horns so that she can't get her head through the creep gate. Tape it so that it is perpendicular to her top (or only, if she is two horned) horns.  I've done that a couple of times when I got fed up with lambs that just couldn't seem to keep from getting their heads stuck in the fence and for a really stupid Nubian doe.  I didn't disbud her because I like horns. She had this odd habit of challenging the rams through the fence and then getting her head stuck, so she would stand there screaming while the rams would butt her.  I used electric tape to attach the pvc.  If you are using this on a young sheep, it is necessary to check/change the tape often, as the horns are still growing and the tape can cut off blood flow. (we learn by our mistakes).

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


> Sigh, I am once again outwitted.. i have one ewe, she is a

> contortionist. She has been breaking into the creep feeder on a

> regular basis... She gets in, and then, cant figure out how to get

> out.. perhaps its because she has gorged herself on feed and cant

> do it! LOL

>

> So, On Friday, I decided to fix her up.. I outfitted her with a

> nice wide band nylon dog collar, and attached a 1.5 (empty) gas

> can.... She was not real happy with her new "fashion accessory" but

> didn't have much choice.

>

> Tonight, I went in the barn... there sets Eve, in the creep feeder,

> Gas can and all....LOL 

>

> Im not sure how she did it... And think she may have jumped in.....

>

> I need to get a picture.. Maybe I will wait until I hang a 5 gallon

> can around her neck!

>

> Jennifer Tucker

> Moose Mtn Ranch

>

> www.MooseMtnRanch.com

>

>

> Get trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with Tyler

> Florence" on AOL Food.

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