Author Topic: Can you tether sheep (Read 8613 times)

Womble · « **Reply #15 on:** January 16, 2017, 09:59:43 pm »

So apart from stopping them from getting lonely, what does tethering them in pairs achieve?

Tim W · « **Reply #16 on:** January 17, 2017, 06:58:29 am »

Quote from: Womble on January 16, 2017, 09:59:43 pm

So apart from stopping them from getting lonely, what does tethering them in pairs achieve?

Most I saw were hobbled --- lambs to ewes
No need for fences and they couldn't disappear too far too soon ?

harmony · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2017, 09:59:26 am »

It is an interesting concept and I assume that the farm layouts in those days in Europe were very different than today. Personally I feel it is a practice that is outdated but there is always the possibility of an exception, which people have described above.

I wouldn't trust mine!

YorkshireLass · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2017, 01:00:10 pm »

It also used to be common practice to dock horse's tails, keep pigs in tiny stys (sties?), drown excess puppies in sacks, and so on. Just because we used to do it doesn't mean it's acceptable practice.

Backinwellies · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2017, 03:04:24 pm »

The answer is ... I guess you can ..... but I definitely wouldn't for welfare and safety reasons.

pharnorth · « **Reply #20 on:** January 17, 2017, 06:01:17 pm »

There are lots of parts of the world where fencing is impractical (hard rocky terrain) or unaffordable for the people who live there and all sorts of animals are tethered. I am not sure that sheep are any more disadvantaged when tethered than goats or horses or donkeys but I am sure you would be constantly bothered by knocks on the door and complaints if you tethered sheep where people could see them in this country.