[Remy]

I don't think any rams are to be trusted, there may be some exceptions but generally they can become reactive over ewes and/or feed.  My Ryeland ram was a docile pussycat until his second year of tupping, when he suddenly started charging me whenever I crossed the field if he was in there with his ewes.  He reverts to being fairly docile if not kept with the ewes, which I now don't do because he was butting both the ewes and lambs and butted one lamb right through the electric just because it was in his way!  .


I have another large tup, a Zwartbles, he's also a friendly one but I've seen the power he has when butting the Ryeland and I wouldn't like to be in the way!  I had a Gotland who was very 'butty' but after being whacked across the knees with a piece of blue hose he got the message and all I had to do was smack my leg with it and he'd back off.  Not tried that with the Ryeland or Zwartbles, they are big powerful rams and I'd have to be a bit quick!


Rams will live quite happily with other wethers or rams if not near females.  I have a group of three rams and one wether at the mo, they are fine to feed (but I never turn my back on them!  )

[MKay]

A bit harsh. Rams by nature will protect their ewes and their territory and people need to respect them for what they are.  Like other animals such as horses which are aggressive, usually humans are at fault.

aye against strangers and intruders not the bloody hand that feeds them. you get bad rams who wont accept their place and in smallholdings you eat them.

[Marches Farmer]

We presently have 11 rams sharing a field - our 3 year old stock ram,  two 2 year olds and 8 shearlings. One is Badger Face, the rest Southdowns.  All are very docile .... now.  I expect this to change as tupping time nears and also with age, but I never turn my back on them any more than I would a bull or a boar.