[roddycm]

So i have had sheep for years (about 15 years) and have always used electric fencing, just 3 strands and never had a problem not once! This year i was given a cpl of dairy lambs which i bottle fed and have now weaned! They initially explored the fence, got a shock and respected it like all the others. They now however have realised that if they run at it and dive through they can go wherever they want! I have had Manx, castlemilks and welsh mountains without ever encountering this problem. I now incorporate two what are traditionally regarded as docile and easy to handle sheep and they are a nightmare to keep in! Does anyone have any suggestions! They are in the lambing shed until i figure our what to do as i dont want them teaching my other lambs their naughty tricks!


I have to say they are particularly prone to escape when they see me or my dog as when they were on the bottle we'd go for walks! Lesson learned, never take lambs on walks haha i had just never had orphans before as my girls never have more than triplets and raise them with no problems at all. I guess i have just been very lucky up til now!

[shep53]

Could you fence them in a small area with 5or 6 wires and  several batterys at full power or mains better and watch from hiding until they learn respect or SELL 

[SteveHants]

Tame lambs always manage to become a pain in the arse somehow.....


Get rid before all your other sheep learn that trick.

[Pedwardine]

Maybe an extra strand at their nose height or try altering the position of your exisiting strands?

[roddycm]

Yes I should have mentioned I have tried with 5 strands! I will add some extra power to it and hope it works otherwise yes I'll have to sell them, I can't be doing with worrying what they get up to! Thanks all

[ScotsGirl]

Have they got enough grass? I had a group of lambs a few years ago who worked out if they combined forces they could head butt the electric netting and knock it over and escape. They never went far just to eat the compost heap. God knows how they survived.


If my power drops and there isn't enough grub my girls will just walk through although I have a Wilts x Southdown and she will jump the 3 strands to get food. Always flies back in when she sees me!


Shear them so they get a better shock? With horses people put a metal tag on rug or halter to up the shock if they don't respect it.

[Bionic]

A couple of my lambs started doing the same trick but I have found now that they are getting older they are much better behaved and haven't tried it for ages. So maybe yours will calm down too.

[Foobar]

Been there, done that. You are doomed!


They like you too much. The only option would be to put them in a field with no electric until they have forgotten about you (and you'll have to hide from them too). And then return to electric, but it'll take months.

[roddycm]

   hahaha the "you're doomed" comment sums it up! They have lots of grass, they just want to be with me or the dog. Its my fault for letting them free range and follow me about all the time! If I have orphans ever again they'll go onto a shepherdess and then out with the ewes... Minimal human contact! I will try one more time and if that fails I'll move them on I have some friends who want pets for their orchard! Thanks guys