When breeding small ruminants, various unpleasant situations arise. Sometimes they are minor and do not cause much trouble. But there are times when the behavior of animals threatens the health of their owners. So, if sheep on a farm butt, they can injure not only the owner, but also strangers. Using the advice of experienced livestock breeders, you can “discipline” pugnacious animals.
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Causes of unpleasant behavior
Vigorous behavior is due to the biological, genetic characteristics of rams. This is how they find out who is in charge in the herd and has greater rights to the female. Animals become especially aggressive during the rut. The most pugnacious are the rams with long horns.They enjoy authority among the entire herd, and rarely anyone dares to compete with them.
The degree of alertness is influenced by stroking the forehead of young lambs. Also, playful games with young animals, simulating butting, lead to increased pugnacity in adult animals. Therefore, experienced livestock breeders do not recommend scratching the foreheads of lambs. Pugnaciousness can be influenced by animal cruelty. If you constantly beat the young animals, then over time they will begin to butt the owner. It is not easy and not always possible to wean a ram from “fighting”.
What to do if a ram butts?
Livestock breeders give different ways to “pacify” sheep. For example, put him separately from everyone else in a pen. Then the cattle will not injure its relatives and, perhaps, will calm down over time. The method does not always help, so it needs to be combined with other methods.
Try to accustom the animal with affection and treats. You need to address him kindly, with love. At the same time, feed your favorite food. Stroking while feeding. You need to stroke the neck and body; you cannot touch the area between the horns. Over time, the animal will get used to it and stop butting.
Some farmers use force instead of affection. They carry a stick with them, for example, a shovel handle. If aggression begins, they hit it lightly between the horns. This cools the animal's ardor. The method is dangerous, you may not calculate the force of the blow and injure the ram. An aggressive reaction from the cattle cannot be ruled out.
Attracted by “high technology”. A dog collar is used.A shocker with a remote control is inserted into it. As soon as the ram accelerates to strike, a button is pressed, and the ram is paralyzed by the shock. According to farmers, cattle stop being aggressive after a week. You also need to remember that you cannot turn your back on carnivorous animals.
