[Jacob-list] breeding season over.... rams together?

[Linda]

Even though I haven't often put adult rams together, I have always put ram lambs in with adult rams after breeding.  I have never (bear in mind that I've a small flock - so my "never" is limited) seen an adult ram harm in any way a ram lamb - even after they both have been with ewes.

When I kept the rams separate from each other, they were in runs where they can see each other with a small lane between the runs and they all did well.  

I admit to being wimpy about putting adult rams together. I do realize that it's unusual for a ram to kill another ram, but it's not unheard of.   I have two adult rams here (Georgia) at the moment - one traveled from Oregon and one from Pennsylvania. They would not be easily replaced - both because of their bloodlines and because of the logistics of sheep delivery.  Neither ram has displayed any aggression and since I just don't have anyplace here to run the rams separately I thought it would work and it did.  I doubt that Chancellor, the teenager, would agree as he went from top dog to bottom dog.  The baby ram and the wether are so totally ignored by both adults that they aren't even in the pecking order.  

Linda



On Sun, 4 Dec 2005 09:09:08 -0800, ARTHUR PARTRIDGE wrote:
> --Mary Ellen wrote:
>> Rams are much better off in groups, whether they are with girls
>> or with
>>
> other boys.
> ===========
> Glad we are on this subject.  I just started with two rams this
> fall.  I have an old 10-yr-old ram and now a young 9-month-old ram.
>  Both are still separated in their breeding groups.  Now I want to
> put everyone together so they have access to the barn for shelter.
> I am hesitant because I don't want any bloodshed.  The information
> on this list has been very helpful.
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