[Jacob-list] Re: wethers & rams

[Kelley Rambo]

Hello everyone -

I hope the holidays have treated you well thus far.  

As for ram/wether behavior, IMO it is both nature AND nurture.  I have
more rams now than any sane person would consider - they are ALL well
behaved fellows and MOST are quite cuddly.**  I know there are those of
the opinion that one should not even pet rams, but I appreciate animals I
can respectfully handle.  My wethers are not generally as cuddly or as
attention seeking, though.  The wethers I have are generally very well
behaved.   The primary behaviorally related advantage to wethering I can
see is that they don't attempt to bang heads as much during breeding
season, though even my ewes do the occasional head-bumping.  I treat my
sheep like I would treat children.  I set boundaries for what is not
acceptable behavior and reward good behavior.  I also think I have "sweet
sheep" genes in my flock and good role models (older sheep).

BTW - I do have sweet fellows for sale - I would like to cut back on the
number I have and would appreciate good homes for them.  Please email me
off list if you are interested.

Happy New Year.
Kelley


** In case there are those out there questioning my handling of rams, I
wish to reassure them that I do not, as a rule, allow people other than
myself around them without me there.  They are rams and most people do not
know how to behave around animals, especially animals who have the
potential to hurt them even if accidentally.  They do have horns which are
dangerous, especially with small children.  I'm not stupid, but I do like
my fellows.