How to deal with rams and ewes together?

[Ruus]

I'm just getting ready this year to get my first sheep. Because I only have one field fenced and no way to segregate rams from ewes, my plan was to buy three young ewes this year and not worry about a ram until next fall. However, when I purchased my ewe lambs, the breeder insisted on giving me an adult ram, because he was concerned about dogs or coyotes attacking the ewes, and thought the ram would be protection for them. The sheep are Soays, so the ram is small, but he has horns. They are supposed to be delivered on June 1st.

My setup requires that the sheep be brought in every night, and since I'm a skinny little female, I'm hesitant to go into the field to bring them in with an intact ram, especially this fall when he goes into rut. Any advice on how to deal with flocks containing both ewes and rams year round? There really is no way for me keep him separate, and that would defeat the purpose of having him as a protector anyway.

 

[Roving Jacobs]

Soays are teeny tiny. Don't be afraid of a little 70 lb ram, keep an eye on him and be aware he can butt but don't be afraid. They even have horns so if they get uppity you can flip them. From what I've heard about soays they're fairly shy so he's probably just going to avoid you as much as possible.

I regularly walk through my bachelor pasture with 7 males, even during the rut, and I can count on one hand the number of times they have threatened me and they have never actually butted me. Be respectful and pay attention to what they are doing, but in general they are not the scary monsters people make them out to be, and if they are its time for freezer camp.

 

[alsea1]

I'm going to figure the soay is similiar to black bellies in behaviour. You will be lucky to have contact with them. You may want to make sure you fix up a catch pen.

 

[Ruus]

Thanks for the replies! The small size is one of the reasons I settled on Soay sheep, I figured I could handle them on my own. At only 115 pounds myself, most sheep are bigger than I am. I have a catch pen, and the sheep are already trained by the breeder to come for grain, so as long as the ram isn't homocidal I should be able to bring them in fairly easily. Or at least easily for sheep.

 

[promiseacres]

I have a Painted Desert hair sheep ram with 18+inch horns (4) (<200#) he's been with the ewes and not. The only time I had any issue is feeding time.... now he gets his thrown over the fence.... Don't turn your back or get complacent ( I did) I don't let my kids in with him unless am in there. I feed most days with my 15 mo old in a carrier on my back no problems. And if/when he comes at me the horns make very good handles to redirect him. BTW I'm about 5'2" and 120#.
Mine are very food motivated so I put a little corn down then let them in, they usually come running. Though for the most part are untouchable. Good luck with your sheepies!

 

[Ruus]

Thanks for the tip! I've worked with ewes a fair bit on other farms, but I've never actually handled a ram. It's making me a bit nervous.

 

[BHOBCFarms]

My Mini Cheviot ram is gentle and mellow - he is with the flock year round. He is tiny (Just a bit over knee high to me), so he's not too scary. If you expect your animals to respect you, and don't play with them in ways that make them confused about what is appropriate behavior (No play butting with lambs, etc.) you should have few problems.