This morning when I let Bella and Rechel out to take them to pasture, Bella took a detour by the quarantine pen before following her mother into the pasture for breakfast. Interesting, I thought. I closed the pasture gate after them but didn't latch it because I needed to clean and refill their water bucket. As I was filling the bucket I heard something and looked up to see Bella in front of the quarantine looking for a way in! She had pushed her way out of the pasture gate and left her mother for - who? Valentine? Dinah? Either way, it was apparent that the apron strings are cut and Bella got that message loud and clear yesterday morning when her formerly doting dam pummeled her.
As far as getting along, everyone is, so the next step is to put them all together. Lois suggested "ram-penning" them together for a few hours at first. After breeding groups are broken up, Lois daubs the rams' heads and tails with cheap cologne or vanilla and crams them like standing sardines into a tiny pen (shown below - with one more ram yet to add!). No one can "pack a punch" that way, and they HAVE to tolerate one another. She says it greatly cuts down on the fighting. Sounds good to me!
That's it for now at . . .
2 comments:
It sounds as though you've had a pretty exciting day today! :)
I agree with Lois and that's the way we introduced little Colin to Skit. After the tight quarters, we made sure that they were turned out together into the bigger pasture where Colin could run if he had to. It worked just great. The only time Colin was a bit scared was when Skittles thought maybe Colin was a new ewe. He sniffed, then walked away, disappointed, taking his frustration out on his tire-swing.
When are you putting everyone together all the time?
What a hoot the picture of the rams is! That's the best way to do it...you've just got to find that many sheep!
Heeheehee...
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