The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Lswswake on May 19, 2017, 09:01:01 pm
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Hello all -im sure its been asked before but i couldnt find a question that matched my situation. We have a 3 year old tup weve had since september. Ive never had any problems with him at all -he was straight in with ewes when he arrived. We seperated them at lambing and hes been on his own since and was still friendly. During lambing a horse got into the field with him and ever since hes been butting us at every chance. Are there any options to try and turn him back to friendly and keep him bearing in mind yesterday he dropped our neighbour -who owns the field -to the floor? Thank you!!
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I wonder if he was injured by the horse which is making him bad tempered?
If it's a change in his aggression levels, or he's reverting to what he was like before you bought him (do you know what he was like before he came to you?) well you can't afford to keep a tup which attacks anyone, but especially a visitor. I think you knew the answer when you asked the question - change your tup.
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I'd put him back with the ewes asap. When you wean the lambs put him with the ram lambs. I think its a mistake to keep any animal alone, especially animals that would never choose to live like that - he's probably very insecure, or maybe he sees anyone who approaches him as challenging him? either way, with company I think he'll be much happier
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Thanks - im not sure what he was like before we got him but were told he was fine. I was planning on putting the ram lambs in so hopefully that will help!
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What ever the reason , he now knows that he is stronger than people and is dangerous , IF you REALLY want to keep him then you need to show him that you are dominant . A water pistol and squirt him in the face any time he looks like butting or staple half a plastic feed bag to a meter length of water pipe it makes a a noise if waved , distracts him ( usefull for moving sheep ) or if really necessary to give him whack . D'ONT TURN YOUR BACK ON HIM . NEVER good to have a sheep on its own
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Thank you - for more ideas. Ill update when weve tried it