Sheep question?

[Rich_]

When walking across land with sheep on they normally ignore you at best, or get out of your way. I've noticed for some time though, at about this time of year , you often turn round to find a large flock of them following you about. It is not just one particular breed or location either.

Has anyone else noticed this or know why it is? Something to do with them associating people with feeding routines , possibly.

[Farplace]

Were you carrying anything? these sheep were looking for a meal.
they are either Swaledale or Dalesbred sheep. However, the breed doesnt make a difference.... the rumbling tummies is what counts.

[DoraMac]

Yes, I think , as you mention, feeding routines can override the natural caution of sheep.

[Rich_]

Yes, Sawaledales they are I think. and yes any time it happens I am usually carrying stuff like fishing tackle or haversacks etc. Quite funny one time when the sheep at the front of a big flock were nudging my backside with their heads as I walked along.

[JennyS]

Quite funny one time when the sheep at the front of a big flock were nudging my backside with their heads as I walked along.

Even funnier was years ago when I was walking down the field with a bucket of sheep nuts and the ram came up behind me, belted me hard on the backside and I did the classic - feet up, bum down!

The sheep put paid to the lads up shooting that year too - as soon as the sheep saw them they were mobbed by the bleating hordes and departed in disarray.

And then there was the woman who came to read the electric meter who didn't seem comfortable around animals but didn't trust the track to the house either so always walked up .........
Screams and bleats echoed around the valley and I'm not sure we ever saw her again .......

[Geoff F]

Well I gave way and walked around this determined group which were blocking the path.



From last Spring.

[Farplace]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Well I gave way and walked around this determined group which were blocking the path.



From last Spring.

I don't blame you... that mother looks mean!!

[Dorts]

Once you start feeding them, they won't leave you alone, and we've been feeding them alot this winter.
Dorts.

[Johnny Redgate]

Although I guess it is possible to "tame" any breed by feed and attention (and I have been followed up a field by a flock of bleating Hebrideans) some are famously more flighty than others. Primitive (Soay, Hebridean etc) and mountain (Welsh Mountain, Balwen, Herdwick etc) are most flighty. Zwartbles, the breed I keep, are very docile and have been bred that way as they were originally kept partly for milking so had to stand quietly. Zwartbles and Balwen have very similar markings (black/brown with a white blaze, white socks and white tail tip) although Zwartbles are much bigger. An old breeder friend used to say you could tell them apart in the field as the Balwens were the brown and white sheep running away from you whilst the Zwartbles were the brown and white sheep running towards you

[Burko]

Also, any that were orphans when young and were hand reared/bottle fed will come right up to you.
There were 5 last year that would walk alongside with me and could be patted on the head.