Sheep intelligence....... idle question

[JohnGalway]

If.... lambs had access to a creep feeder in a field with a door that would open for tagged lambs but not for untagged lambs, do ye think the untagged lambs would figure out how to push their way in along with a tagged lamb, or am I crediting them with too much intelligence?

Answers after the laughing stops...

 

[Mc115reed]

I garuntee you that you’d find a heap of untagged lambs with the door shut on there heads having strangled them too death I’m guessing your thinking too creep feed weather lambs but keep ewe lambs pasture fed for replacements?

 

[JohnGalway]

I garuntee you that you’d find a heap of untagged lambs with the door shut on there heads having strangled them too death I’m guessing your thinking too creep feed weather lambs but keep ewe lambs pasture fed for replacements?

Lol.

Yeah the idea was to feed the ram lambs but seeing as the replacements need to be thrifty I don't want to ruin them. No way am I splitting them into different groups.

 

[Stewartry hill]

Quiet sure they will

 

[David.]

You are talking about an animal that will die of thirst, before it will drink from a full water bucket containing a solitary bumble.
Don't credit them with the ability to over-think.

 

[Dry Rot]

When asked which was the most intelligent animal, a behaviourist replied, "They are all intelligent in what concerns them". Yes, I think the untagged lambs would work it out but wouldn't like to guess how long it would take them. Try it and see?

 

[delilah]

"They are all intelligent in what concerns them".

This.

You are talking about two different traits; intelligence, and greediness. A Dorset lamb would work it out, because they are greedy. A Portland lamb wouldn't work it out, because despite being more intelligent than a Dorset lamb they aren't fussed about hard feed. A Manx lamb wouldn't work it, because being more intelligent than either a Dorset lamb or Portland lamb it would be too busy laughing at your feeble attempts to make it grow.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Lol.

Yeah the idea was to feed the ram lambs but seeing as the replacements need to be thrifty I don't want to ruin them. No way am I splitting them into different groups.

Feeding creep to your replacements won't ruin them. Starchy carbohydrate approx 2 weeks either side of weaning will aid rumen development, making for a more efficient grazing animal long term.

The extra energy involved will help reduce the "weaning check".

 

[sheep boy 3000]

Lambs, intelligent?

 

[ford4000]

Lambs, intelligent?

They can't even go through an open gate without getting stuck behind it

 

[JockCroft]

If.... lambs had access to a creep feeder in a field with a door that would open for tagged lambs but not for untagged lambs, do ye think the untagged lambs would figure out how to push their way in along with a tagged lamb, or am I crediting them with too much intelligence?

Answers after the laughing stops...

Lambs are fast learners. If anything like mine probably dig under, climb over or pick the bloody lock.

 

[Dry Rot]

Bloody sheep here are lifting gates off their hinges by getting together and rubbing up against them!. I've never seen that before!

 

[Paddington]

We had ewes pinching lamb creep from a feeder, they would get through the bars but then get stuck inside. I fitted quick release bars for getting them out again, but one managed to get its leg down between the frame and the cover and had to be cut out with an angle grinder.

 

[Estate fencing.]

They can't even go through an open gate without getting stuck behind it

Enough to drive you mad. Got a ewe with no eye at all, she can go through a gateway without fail though.

 

[David.]

Guess a no eye sheep may be better in a bunch than a one eyed one?

 

[JohnGalway]

Bloody sheep here are lifting gates off their hinges by getting together and rubbing up against them!. I've never seen that before!

There's a gate like that on land I have leased here. Owner used natural stone for the pillar, a spud and a hanger. The spud is at fault as just small movement allows the gate to become loose. Large rock on the bottom bar has (temporarily) defeated them. Bit of a pain but I don't often use that gate.

 

[Welderloon]

Guess a no eye sheep may be better in a bunch than a one eyed one?

One eyed sheep bound to be better than a deer with no eyes surely

 

[Dry Rot]

There's a gate like that on land I have leased here. Owner used natural stone for the pillar, a spud and a hanger. The spud is at fault as just small movement allows the gate to become loose. Large rock on the bottom bar has (temporarily) defeated them. Bit of a pain but I don't often use that gate.

I have one like that and another with perfect hinges that they lifted off. Not my sheep. Hate the things! (Sheep, not gates).

 

[David.]

One eyed sheep bound to be better than a deer with no eyes surely

No Idea

 

[JohnGalway]

I have one like that and another with perfect hinges that they lifted off. Not my sheep. Hate the things! (Sheep, not gates).

Interesting, I've been on a new gate building spree this year, quite a few left to go up yet.

I'll need to check my zero on the .223