[Jacob-list] Catching Rams

[Linda]

Good grief, Tara. You're making it sound like your way is the only way. 
I don't condition score my sheep everyday. Why would they need to be 
condition scored on a daily basis? I do go in with my ewes EVERY day 
when I feed them. I don't handle each one, but I look at each one and 
handle any that I think need it. Since I take excellent care of my 
sheep, I don't expect them to lose a condition score overnight. It 
certainly not stress my sheep for me to catch or handle them. When I 
take them out back to pasture or anywhere, I just say "let's go sheep" 
and they follow me. I caught 20 ewes this morning to check eyelids. No 
injuries or stress to either the sheep or the shepherd. I don't catch my 
rams every day or even every week. They are used to seeing me and have 
been halter broken. It doesn't stress them out when I do catch them.
Your opinion is, of course, important and of interest.
But, you've never seen my sheep or my farm or me.

Linda

ranchrat wrote:

>

> From: Linda <patchworkfibers at windstream.net>

>

> I can live with that *smile* as it is ME and MY flock that determine 

> if I am a "good" shepherd.

>

> Cheers,

>

> Linda

>

> ranchrat wrote:

>

> >

>

> >  I do however have the right to state that part of being a good

>

> > shepherd is handling your stock every day, otherwise, you are not

>

> > going to find ME calling you a "good" shepherd.  Just my long two

>

> > cents worth...

>

> >

>

> > Doggone,

>

> >

>

> > Tara Lee Higgins -- still working on the "good badge" in Good Shepherd

>

> > Rat Ranch, Alberta, Canada

>

> >

>

> Yes, that is exactly "it."  What does it matter what my opinion is.

>

> My years working in a Conservation Office showed me examples of what 

> happens to animals that are unable to cope with stress from only 

> occasional handling.  Stress is a fight or flight response and we all 

> pretty much know that stress is a factor in many life limiting 

> situations.  When we received calls from the public asking why a bear 

> was euthanized instead of relocated, several factors came into play.  

> If it was a male bear, the CO's would be more likely not to attempt 

> relocating the male as most territories were heavily populated with 

> excessive males already.  Females were usually accepted without 

> negatives, so if it was a girl bear, relocation was a valid 

> possibility.  If the animal was compromised health wise (large worm 

> load, injured, chased excessively before treeing, etc.) the stress of 

> being sedated may mean the animal died, if not right off, possibly 

> later due to over taxing their system.  Repeat offenders, even tho it 

> was the humans and garbage storage that usually was the cause of the 

> initial trouble, the bear would not likely be relocated unless it was 

> further away. 

>

> I am striving to emulate ancient tribesmen that live with their 

> flocks...not that I'll ever attain THAT goal.  I like my "creature" 

> comforts FAR too much...like hot and cold running water, soft bed sans 

> sheep most times of the year, and MY house not being THEIR house...LOL

>

> Tara

>

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>

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-- 
Patchwork Farm Jacob Sheep <http://www.patchworkfibers.com>
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