The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: m3joeEm on June 03, 2015, 05:40:19 pm

Title: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: m3joeEm on June 03, 2015, 05:40:19 pm

Texel Ram 2 year old needs a comrade. He has been in a paddock over winter and now that the grass is starting to grow he is getting to fat with too much grass. I am thinking of buying a goat or putting a young ram lamb or 2 with him to keep him company and help eat grass but I'm not sure exactly what would be best to put with him. Would need to be something that wouldn't fight back or harm the ram. What about young bull calves?

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: Rosemary on June 03, 2015, 05:50:04 pm

We keep a wether  with ours.

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: Backinwellies on June 03, 2015, 06:27:02 pm

shouldn't be by himself anyway .... sheep are flock  animals ,,,, needs to have another sheep for company .... a wether or two? 

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: Marches Farmer on June 03, 2015, 07:18:01 pm

As above and could you split the paddock or take a crop of hay?  If he packs fat around his abdomen it will impact fertility.

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: shotblastuk on June 05, 2015, 12:36:53 am

Get him a treadmill :roflanim: sorry that's not very useful. you could try mowing the grass down and tight strip grazing. we got our ram a wether as a friend and they both ended up as fat as houses. 

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: m3joeEm on June 07, 2015, 10:09:55 pm

Thanks for the advice , greatly appreciated . I have 3 small calves and have put them with the ram. they seem to be getting on very well :)

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: SallyintNorth on June 07, 2015, 10:58:20 pm

Welfare guidance is that all herd (and flock) animals should have company of their own species.

From the Animal Welfare Code,

Quote

4. freedom to express normal behaviour
- by providing sufficient space, proper
facilities and company of the animals’
own kind;

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: Sbom on June 10, 2015, 10:45:32 am

Our ram is in the field with other sheep and cows but always chooses to stay with the cows. The only time he shows any interest in the sheep is at tupping time. If we move the cows he tries desperately to go with them (and normally does), if the cows come in he has to as well (slightly embarrassing explaining to the vet why the tup is in for TB testing) they even escape together!

When the cows are away for any period of time the greeting he gives them on return is heartfelt and hilarious!

I'm sure he's not normal though and would always offer company of their own kind also.

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: SallyintNorth on June 10, 2015, 01:30:26 pm

What a picture you describe, Sbom!  :roflanim:

Well, we always say, the animals don't read the books..  :D

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: m3joeEm on June 14, 2015, 05:57:53 pm

thanks for the replies folks. He's happy in the mean time :)
Sorry for the low quality render of the pic :(

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: Bramblecot on June 14, 2015, 07:00:29 pm

Love the photo :cow: :sheep: :cow: !

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: Katrina on June 14, 2015, 07:28:25 pm

Brilliant photo!!!

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: moprabbit on June 14, 2015, 11:11:37 pm

Excellent photo - really made me laugh!

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: SallyintNorth on June 14, 2015, 11:56:23 pm

Well I never  ::)

Title: Re: Texel Ram needs a comrade - too much grass in paddock and he is getting FAT
Post by: Kimbo on June 17, 2015, 09:28:31 am

Sheep: " right guys: time for your elocution lesson. Say after me:"Baaaaaaa" "
 :sunshine: