[Jacob-list] I'm all for true love, but this is ridiculous

[Mary Hansson]

Kathy,
 
I would judge whether your girl is bred by the behavior she exhibits when the ram tries to mount her----if she won't stand for him, it is likely she is not interested in reproduction.  By the continued presence, and your lack of mentioning her displeasure at his ministrations, she might not be as bred as you think.
 
I have seen goats get protective of sheep in the breeding process----messed up my breeding season by about 3 months one year before I got the darned goat away from my girls/boy.  Everybody was then bred within 2 weeks.....go figure!
 
I haven't been favorably impressed with stories of "guard" donkeys over the years.  I guess I have heard more horror stories than good ones---and there are people on this list and breeding Jacobs that have and use them.  They would have much more experience than little olde me.
 
Mary Ellen

ACAMDA at aol.com wrote:
Good Morning, Everyone!
 
This year, for the first time, we have a ram around the place.  He was not wethered in the spring because he was promised to a good home, but that fell through.  So "The Dude" has been with us all summer and fall, and has bred all the ladies here, we think.
 
For the past few days, he has been inseparable from one of our older ewes, Sherry.  He is never more than six feet from her.  Occasionally he will try to mount her, but mostly he's just "there".  Sherry has some fleece pulled on her rump, and may have a slight limp, but other than that she doesn't seem worse for his attention.  She just looks tired and slow to me.  We expect Sherry to lamb around the first of February.  The one who seems to be having a problem with all this is our guard donkey.  She is constantly trying to separate them, and will face off against the ram, chase him, or push him away.  I can't tell if they are seriously angry, or playing some kind of animal king of the hill.
 
Questions:  Is it normal behavior for Dude to be so interested in Sherry at this point?  Could he be harmful to her or a lamb?  I know some of you keep your rams in with the flock all year - is that a problem at lambing?  Lastly, have any of you seen problems with guard animals and rams?  We're trying to find Dude a good home - he's well mannered so far, and has great horns and fleece - but I like my donkey more.
 
Thanks for your help.  I hope the quiet list means everything is peaceful.
 
Kathey
Athens, GA


Mary Ellen Hansson, MEd, RD, LDN
ISeeSpots Farm
Jacob Sheep:  Lambs, adults, wool
www.iseespots.com
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