Segregation in sheep?!?!?

[Ridgetop]

I trust when you say there is nothing horrible about this. I would also like to share how a black mother had 2 baby’s. One black one white. She disposes the white one and left it to die in the cold. I would understand if it was sick or something but he is perfectly healthy.

We breed purebred registered White Dorpers. Last year we had a ewe that delivered twin ewe lambs. One as born with large black markings on her head. This sometimes happens, but she was ineligible for registration. The other one was white and really nice. The ewe refused to allow the white lamb to nurse and devoted herself to the one with the ineligible markings. No reason and she had nursed twins before so go figure.

Sometimes they just decide they don't want one or the other. They are not people, but like people they can like or dislike individuals in a flock.

Family groups will also hang together. I've got does that bed down every night with several generations of their daughters.

This happens in many herds or flocks. The oldest female leads the herd or flock. Her daughters remain with her while sons are chased away by the dominant male. The family groups tend to remain together. This is much more noticeable when the flock is not separated for breeding or lambing.

Lately I have noticed something horrible in sheep at the sheep farm I work at. The sheep are segregating each other. The white sheep are on the top of the ladder, while black sheep are second on the ladder, gray sheep are third on the ladder, while multi color sheep are on the bottom. The dogs give the top of the ladder freedom while it gets worse the lower you go. I can’t believe this is happening.

This is not segregation as you know it. The colors may be genetic which means that they re actua;y separating into family groups. Before you decide that the dogs are favoring one group over another, watch carefully to see if what you are interpreting as lack of freedom to some of the groups is actually more care over them. Dogs only discriminate about which ones they decide more protection.