The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Raine on March 25, 2013, 07:52:03 pm
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:wave:
I have had one of those "odd" weekends.
I was almost sure that a Balwen ram shouldn't be able to jump a three foot fence from a standing start and avoid the rail which is a at four foot.
I was also almost sure that Ram's shouldn't stand on their back legs, hop along a bit biting leave off the top edge of a hedge with their front legs dangling. :o
Please tell me I'm not going mad? :-\
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You're not. There's not a lot a sheep won't try if there's a chance of some interesting eating, and/or an opportunity to die ::)
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My Balwen ram does just the same, he's never really injured himself.
I wouldn't worry.
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They reckon with larger breeds of sheep, you can expect them to routinely graze to 6'. I've watched ewes stand on their hind legs to graze, they seem to particularly like fresh hazel leaves.
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My Greyface ewes routinely stand on the third or fourth rail of a hurdle as a means to get first bite at haylage as I take it into the pen! Pretty clever really, hooves on a very small rail, but they seem to have no trouble. Haven't seen one trying it on stock fence outside yet, but it wouldn't surprise me. And despite their heavy fleece they seem quite capable of launching themselves vertically into the air at least 2-3 feet when the mood takes them.
Nothing surprises me anymore. I was always led to believe chickens didn't fly, but my lot have clearly never read that book! They aren't pretty or graceful, but they can clear 6-8 feet without too much trouble!