[mowhaugh]

Wouldn't be without one, is probably my most essential tool.  I just use the aluminium one day to day, mine is blue too, and has also been straightened several times.

[Bionic]

I use mine for waving at the ducks to get them into the shed at bed time 

[shygirl]

mine is blue aluminium too, will last a very long time.

[SteveHants]

I have one of those with a neck crook at on end and a leg crook at the other - its a bit flimsy and I'm not sure I'd buy one again - I only ever crook lambs by the neck and ewes by the back leg (useful when catching them at lambing).

[georgielmgm]

I also have one with the neck end and the leg end, haven't had the need to use them for catching anything  but before my ewes came to me whistling, I used to use it as an arm extension for getting them into the pen, was definitely very useful for that!

[devonlady]

I use mine for waving at the ducks to get them into the shed at bed time 

And I use mine for herding geese The sheep would  do anything for a biscuit!

[Womble]

My geese herd the sheep. I've had to put them in a different field, as the gander kept chasing our tup and nipping him on the b*llocks  .  The sheep remain utterly unherdable, despite the liberal application of digestive biscuits!

[Oopsiboughtasheep]

Thankyou Womble, one of my best friends passed away last week and I have struggled to raise a smile since. Your last post made me laugh out loud! He actually wanted to buy me a shepherds crook but I wasn't quite sure what I would do with it as my sheep will do anything for a biscuit and I thought (as a newbie to sheep) that I would just look a bit posey with it. I can see from this thread though that they are very handy for all sorts of other things! Am thinking maybe semaphore with a flag on the end of it to communicate with my husband across the fields (as he is deaf)

[Bionic]

I can see from this thread though that they are very handy for all sorts of other things! Am thinking maybe semaphore with a flag on the end of it to communicate with my husband across the fields (as he is deaf)

Now that sounds a good idea. My OH isn't deaf but ALWAYS listens to something on his ipod when he is outside so its almost impossible to get his attention.

[Ladygrey]

I couldnt be without mine at lambing time, catching the lambs before 24 hours old usually involves a short (or long) chase and a crook around the lambs neck

if it runs too fast they are good for throwing and you hope it stuns the lamb long enough to get there 

[Me]

I can see from this thread though that they are very handy for all sorts of other things! Am thinking maybe semaphore with a flag on the end of it to communicate with my husband across the fields (as he is deaf)

Now that sounds a good idea. My OH isn't deaf but ALWAYS listens to something on his ipod when he is outside so its almost impossible to get his attention.

EH?