Information on working terriers, dogs, natural history, hunting, and the environment, with occasional political commentary as I see fit. This web log is associated with the Terrierman.com web site.
Monday, December 11, 2023
Strayed From the Flock
Strayed from the Flock, 1867. Oil on canvas, by Briton Riviere (British, 1840-1920.
Even in the absence of all predators, lamb mortality is typically from 10-25 percent, depending on breed, forage and weather. A key problem is "mismothering" -- ewes that simply wander away from their lambs, who later starve or freeze.
I have a small goat flock. Those moms seem to be a lot more engaged in their job of kid care, although not always (remembering the one last year that had quads, but only bothered to lick clean one of them, and left the other three to suffocate). I've never owned any sheep. I don't want any sheep. They seem to be rather stupid animals!
1 comment:
I have a small goat flock. Those moms seem to be a lot more engaged in their job of kid care, although not always (remembering the one last year that had quads, but only bothered to lick clean one of them, and left the other three to suffocate). I've never owned any sheep. I don't want any sheep. They seem to be rather stupid animals!
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