Mystang's Homesteading Circus

[mystang89]

I’m sorry we failed you and someone got hurt

Wohhhhh. Wait a sec. That part wasn't meant for you all! I've dealt with quite a few people like that HERE were I live. Don't take that post as personal to the people on this site. I've learned more from you all than I have from anyone around here.

That said, I've read much on Rams and their behavior. Does anyone here have Rams that don't headbutt on a constant basis? If it's during rutt season I understand the ram going a bit crazy. Does anyone have Rams that don't act crazy like that on a normal basis.

 

[Wehner Homestead]

@Mike CHS @Baymule

can you weigh in?

 

[Wehner Homestead]

I just feel like we should’ve been more direct as he was getting more destructive

 

[Bruce]

Sorry I caused you so much trouble @mystang89 Sure hope DW wasn't hurt too bad, I can imagine how painful that would be regardless of gender.

With respect to "normal" ram behavior, I've got nothing. BUT I don't read about people having generally aggressive rams. Most likely that is because, like aggressive roosters, if they can't be trained out of it quickly, they no longer have a home on the 'farm'.

 

[RollingAcres]

Back when @Wehner Homestead wrote:

Heads up y’all!! @Bruce is going to eat Bruce!!!

@Bruce should have eaten Bruce.

 

[Mike CHS]

To make a bad joke even worse there is a reason a ram is called a Ram. Most of the farms that I've been to have rams that aren't aggressive but the owners are all pretty much hands on. The only time our current ram is flighty is when you first put him in with the girls for breeding. Even then he isn't aggressive but he avoids contact to make sure he doesn't get taken away from the girls. From the time our sheep are born they are exposed to a lot of human contact. I rarely have to use it but I carry a buggy whip out with me until they get used to me being among them. I don't touch them with it but just the popping sound gets them moving away. A good swat on the nose when they are young stays with them as it seems they don't forget that kind of thing. Hopefully you know but don't hit them on their heads. Once they trust you you can pretty much do anything with them. Animal crackers and a curry brush goes a long way at taming them down but even then don't take for granted that they are going to be gentle.

I've been around several rams that were handled enough that they trust their owners but you still have to watch them. I am probably too complacent around our ram but if he gets too close without being asked, my
Akbash will go after him.

I enjoy spending time with our ram but he acts more like a dog than a ram. Our ram came out of the Virginia Tech Ram Lamb program where they are handled daily from the time they are born so that was a good start. I don't give our ram lambs very long without human contact and will call them in to get some feed daily until they start to mature. They are so used to you being around that they don't get that attitude. There are occasions though even for those that seem gentle that I won't let Teresa go into a chute with them unless I'm in there also. They are just too strong and when confined all gentleness goes away temporarily.

 

[Latestarter]

I hope you and your wife enjoy "paying back" Bruce for his numerous and one too many transgressions. I hope he's very tasty!

 

[farmerjan]

Since your breed of sheep is rarer than most, you might have trouble finding a very young ram lamb to raise up. Yes they all can be aggressive, but much of it is in the raising. @Mike CHS has more experience with commercial sheep and is a good one to guide you. Our Dall sheep are raised semi-wild, as the rams are sold to hunting preserves. BUT, they still do not bother or get aggressive with us humans. They don't tear up fences or buildings either. They do tend to do more "ramming" of each other. We do not tolerate any of the males as breeders if they are aggressive towards people. But we are raising a completely different type of sheep for totally different reasons than you are.
I am sorry that I wasn't a little more blunt in my post when I tried to warn you about the possibility of him getting aggressive with your wife or especially your kids. Sometimes I tend to be not so diplomatic, so I was really trying to not come across too hard. I am really thankful that your wife was not badly hurt although the bruising will be felt for awhile.
I think it is rather neat that you have dairy sheep. I only asked about the goats since they are more often used for dairy. I am not a big goat fan either, hence my lifelong love of cattle, and having dairy and beef cattle.

I still suggest that you contact your county extension office to see if they have any programs or seminars for the "small acreage" farmer like you. There are many more people looking to become more self sufficient on small farms than you realize, and there are alot that are "beginners" like you. Everyone makes mistakes, the thing is to listen to people with more experience and try to learn before it becomes an expensive repeat mistake, or one where someone gets hurt. Really hope we can help you on here.

 

[Bruce]

Back when @Wehner Homestead wrote:

@Bruce should have eaten Bruce.

I would LOVE to!!

 

[Baymule]

You did the right thing. Your ram was getting dangerous. We took one to slaughter that tagged me one too many times. I have his son, who so far, shows no interest in me or anyone else.

I think people here feel bad that they didn't strongly warn/tell you to get rid of your ram. Your wound up getting hurt and people are sorry for that. We know you are a beginner and want to help you all we can.

All rams are crazy. Some worse, some better, but all have their brains in their penis and there isn't a lot of room there.