[Jacob-list] gates & smart sheep

[Penelope]

The sheep are too smart this year.  The driveway goes from the road 
over a stream (bridged by one of those open grill type cow guards, 
which stops the sheep, or they humor us) and then on up through the 
pasture to a gate to our house.  Half a dozen or so of the Ewes have 
discovered that the grass is greener.  No one's been grazing it all 
winter in the yard after all.  They watch and listen for a car or a 
delivery vehicle to come, and go through the gate with the 
vehicle.  For everyone but Spouse, they scatter after that so they 
can't simply be shooed out.   I think Spouse hasn't encountered them 
when they don't want to leave since he is the last one home at night 
nine times out of ten.

Leaving the gate open would just lead to all the rest in the yard 
too.  They leave again with the next car, if they're thirsty, or at 
feeding time.

So far they're only eating grass, but I know from past years with 
fence problems that they'll move on to plants I don't want eaten.  If 
they'd stick to the grass I'd let them stay.

I don't have a long term alternate pasture for them, or I'd move 
them.  Locking them in the barn will only last so long.  I tried to 
frighten them with the car horn this morning and only succeeded in 
calling more ewes to the gate while the first two stood looking at 
me.  I tried to bribe them with the sheep cookies I carry in the car 
-- they left the cookies to go through the gate as soon as it was 
open and I was back in the car.  And my companion in the car is only 
seven and can't drive, but is a little small to out bluff a 150lb ewe 
(one is mostly Romany -- here because she outsmarted the former owner 
of the property.  We get some nice wool cross breeds,)  or the more 
bossy Jacob ewes.  I also think they'd just dodge her and come in anyway.

So how do I sheep proof my gate and still leave it so that vehicles 
can go through?  Someone must have done this before!

--
"...Shine my life like a light..." (the indigo girls)

"Perhaps the biggest change will come
When we don't have to change much at all.
When maniacs holler "grow, grow, grow"
We can choose to be small." (Pete Seeger)

Penelope Jacob mailto:pcj at efn.org or mailto:penelope at dreamsandbones.net

The circle is open but unbroken.

http://www.dreamsandbones.net/blog
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