The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: qpd4ever on February 02, 2010, 03:13:59 pm

Title: female ewe acts like a ram
Post by: qpd4ever on February 02, 2010, 03:13:59 pm
hi i have 30 mule sheep all in lamb except one. she is in good body condition ,eating and drinking fine. she is middle aged but she acts very like a ram. she mount the ewes and lifts her lips when smelling them. she is deffinately female but not in lamb . is this normal
Title: Re: female ewe acts like a ram
Post by: doganjo on February 02, 2010, 03:54:45 pm
he he - jealousy? ;)

Has she lambed before?  If not is it possible she is a wolf in sheep's clothing  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: female ewe acts like a ram
Post by: qpd4ever on February 02, 2010, 07:36:03 pm
i bought her last year with her babies. she also trys to paw the ram and push her back end to him as if she wants to be mated .
Title: Re: female ewe acts like a ram
Post by: ballingall on February 02, 2010, 10:30:58 pm
How do you know she's not in lamb? Has she been scanned?

Title: Re: female ewe acts like a ram
Post by: doganjo on February 02, 2010, 10:32:18 pm
That thought occurred to me too.  If that was a bitch I'd be having her checked out by the vet - it sounds like a hormone problem if she isn't in lamb.  What does Fiona say, Beth?
Title: Re: female ewe acts like a ram
Post by: qpd4ever on February 02, 2010, 10:39:14 pm
How do you know she's not in lamb? Has she been scanned?



yes a few weeks ago
Title: Re: female ewe acts like a ram
Post by: ballingall on February 02, 2010, 10:53:23 pm
Yeah, hormones is what we think. That's why I asked if she was pregnant, sometimes in the later stages of pregnancy their hormones go a bit mad. Our goat who is due in 3 weeks spent 2 days this week behaving like a male, because the female in the pen beside her was in season.

I'd say her hormones are a bit odd! It can't be that she's a hermaphrodite if she's had lambs before.

Beth

Title: Re: female ewe acts like a ram
Post by: doganjo on February 02, 2010, 10:57:48 pm
Quote
It can't be that she's a hermaphrodite if she's had lambs before.
Yes, that's why I asked if she had lambed previously.  I suppose the lambs she came with when you got her were her own???  Or am I just trying to complicate matters now? ;) ;D ;D
Title: Re: female ewe acts like a ram
Post by: qpd4ever on February 03, 2010, 07:58:54 am
i think they were hers she raised them well. shes just a bit odd
Title: Re: female ewe acts like a ram
Post by: doganjo on February 03, 2010, 11:41:21 am
I think you are right!   ;D ;D ;D ;D  Guess there are odd sheep same as odd hoomans :o ;D ;D