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i have 5 pet Suffolk sheep - tonight they have been head butting and also butting flanks - three of them involved, the other two keeping well away.  They haven't been put to the ram - they're 18 months old - because we don't have enough land to accommodate lambs.

Any advices lplease?

[kanisha]

I take it these are ewes? I see similar behaviour with the ewes as the breeding season approaches, sounds usual to me.

[in the hills]

Our Soay ewes do this periodically.

Establishing/ confirming the pecking order, maybe? Can't think of another reason. Ours do it throughout the year.

Or maybe they just enjoy it!

[pharnorth]

Mine have done it a bit since the ram went in. Hormonal? 

[twizzel]

My ewes were doing this just this morning over a mineral bucket, the ram went in with them last Saturday. Hopefully have a few more tupped over the next week, I think they are coming into season now (he's only tupped 1 so far).

[Rhea]

Two of mine do it regularly, always thought they were just playing as they let each other take turns before going for  a mad sprint around the field

[Marches Farmer]

It's dominance behaviour.  They establish a pecking order at this time of year so as to be the first one at the bucket/through the gate onto fresh grazing/in line to the ram when cycling.

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Thanks everyone for your replies.  I was asking advice because the ewes' behaviour continued unabated for a couple of hours - well into nightfall.  They do occasionally butt each other, but this seemed more concentrated and lasted much longer,, even though I tried to break them up.

[Liz Kershaw]

Was going to post the same question myself - perhaps it is the time of year? Today, one of my ewes was fighting/butting my 18 month wether ... then another ewe joined in, clearly on the side of her female friend. My little flock is normally so peaceful, do any of you think it'll settle down? I'm not putting the ewes to the tup this year for various reasons.

[Marches Farmer]

Yes, they'll settle down ..... until next time.  With female sheep it's posturing - mature rams will kill each other if they can.

[Liz Kershaw]

Thank you for the reassurance - I hadn't realised the ewes might be affected by the season if there was no ram around to get them 'in the mood'.