The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Ladygrey on October 25, 2013, 05:42:45 pm

Title: Rams with wooly faces
Post by: Ladygrey on October 25, 2013, 05:42:45 pm

Hi there  :wave:

This is my first time with a ram that has a verrryyy wooly face, he is a strapping young lad, Hampshire down cross Charolais and cant wait to see his offspring :D

He is going in with the ladies on the 2nd of November but this weekend I am catching and crutching the ewes and bringing the rams up to Stroud,  he is verryyy woolly and its now grown over his eyes, should I take the shears to his face before he meets the ladies?

Someone told me it might be too much of a shock for him... what do other wooly faced people do?

Thanks

Jess

Title: Re: Rams with wooly faces
Post by: bizzielizzie66 on October 25, 2013, 05:53:48 pm

Hi.  We have Ryelands - wooly like Southdowns. We trim once or twice over winter/spring so they can see who is coming or where they're going !

I actually use a blunt ended pair of scissors ..... I think they are quite grateful for the improved view  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Rams with wooly faces
Post by: Ladygrey on October 25, 2013, 06:04:18 pm

Thankyou  :thumbsup:

He is very heavily wooled for a cross! so might give him a trim and see how it goes :)

Title: Re: Rams with wooly faces
Post by: Marches Farmer on October 26, 2013, 04:46:10 pm

Get someone to stand astride his neck with a knee behind each ear, then cover the eye with one hand while trimming with the other.  If you don't and the fleece gets sodden with rain or snow it could well restrict vision - you don't want him walking into things.