The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: ThomasR on January 01, 2016, 06:50:06 pm

Title: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: ThomasR on January 01, 2016, 06:50:06 pm
I was talking to somebody about how my tup has been jumping the fence and they brought up that there was something that you could buy to cover the rear end of the ewes that you don't want the ram on, is there such a thing?
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: harmony on January 01, 2016, 07:10:47 pm
I think they are referring to "clouting" or "bratting", which some of our local herdwick breeders still do.
A piece of cloth (clout) is sewn across the ewe's behind.


Here is a link.

http://www.ruskinmuseum.com/content/about-coniston/herdwick-sheep.php (http://www.ruskinmuseum.com/content/about-coniston/herdwick-sheep.php)

Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: ThomasR on January 01, 2016, 07:16:22 pm
Hi thanks, I take that when they sown onto the rear end of the sheep they mean shown into their wool?
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: Womble on January 01, 2016, 07:20:57 pm
Historically called "Breeking the Hoggs" I believe?
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: Fleecewife on January 01, 2016, 07:42:09 pm

You wouldn't want to do that in flystrike season.  Or if they scour...... :yuck:
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: Rosemary on January 01, 2016, 09:09:38 pm
Historically called "Breeking the Hoggs" I believe?

Sounds like a Scottish country dance  ;D
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: Womble on January 01, 2016, 09:38:15 pm
If it isn't, it certainly should be!
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: harmony on January 02, 2016, 09:13:46 am
Farmers were clouting here before Christmas they'll be off before the flies start and very rare to see a fell sheep on the fell with scour.


Yes Thomas sewn into their wool. How's your needle skills?
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: Marches Farmer on January 02, 2016, 09:37:38 am
Do you have a shed?
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: ThomasR on January 02, 2016, 10:05:11 am
My sewing skills are not the best but I will give it a try. And yes we have a shed.
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: harmony on January 02, 2016, 10:10:07 am
Make sure you ask before you cut up the best curtains into squares!!!!!  :roflanim:
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: Womble on January 02, 2016, 10:40:20 am
Could you sew him a wee kilt perhaps?  It would dangle harmlessly out of the way most of the time, but would then flap over his willy when he tried to do the business  :roflanim:
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: Hellybee on January 02, 2016, 02:09:58 pm
He might trip over it though  :innocent:
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: shotblastuk on January 02, 2016, 06:03:49 pm
Invest in some better fencing. Put him in the shed as Marches farmer was hinting at or get rid. He's doing what he's supposed to be doing. Simple husbandry really
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: ThomasR on January 02, 2016, 06:36:06 pm
I thinking about getting rid of him. We are currently putting a new fence in but we need the lambs to remain unmated or that's next years showing down the drain.
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: shep53 on January 08, 2016, 07:57:31 pm
Interestingly I've just read a book  published 1902 which talks about  making TEASER rams by sowing a piece of sacking to the stomach wool , hanging down so that when he mounts it stops penetration   :sheep:
Title: Re: Thing to stop tup covering ewes?
Post by: Womble on January 08, 2016, 11:23:21 pm
What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:9   :)