We Don't Need No Stinkin Manger

Well the manger design passed all it's tests except the final one. Frazier, are terminal Romney breeding ram.

Frazier is kinda becoming a problem now that he is solidly hitting middle aged status. He is cranky, demanding, food aggressive and not really afraid of people any longer. He has even started to kinda challenge me a bit too. He has never particularly liked human females but he and I have had an understanding over the last couple of years. It mostly involved a big stick but occasionally went as far as my having to put him down on his back like I was going to shear him.

Frazier has some good qualities though. When crossed with the half bluefaced ewes he was consistently kicking out about 2.2 lambs which is better than the Romney average of 1.7 and they were good hardy lambs too. I think we have only ever lost one lamb from Frazier offspring. When crossed with the natural colored Romney/Bluefaced ewes the wool quality was excellent and we have more than a few handspinners that LOVE the wool from his offspring. He was also pretty gentle towards me and my son until this year. Usually.

Frazier though hates change unless it either brings him food or ewes. Moving him into a stall in preparation for shearing was always an experience and typically resulted in something broken. He even knocked a stall door off that was almost too heavy for me to lift one year. As bad as this trait is it actually is what has saved him too though because if he ever does escape he is usually so upset about it he will go back in without much trouble. As long as it is a Male human herding him in anyway.

Well Frazier decided he hated the manger. If you look you can see the red paint stain on his head. He attacked it until he managed to break one of the supports and bring it down. I am sure this reaction had something to do with my timing though as much as it had to do with his temperament. Introducing something like that was probably not the wisest thing when the breeding ewes were in with him.

Once the ewes go in with Frazier it is advisable for me to simply pretend they are not even there. This is sometimes hard because Seven, my favorite sheep, is in there with him and she expects a head pat at the very least whenever I come around. Frazier of course does not like me touching his girls and it will initiate a blocking move at the very least.

So I moved the manger over into the other paddock with Cocomo are Bluefaced ram. Like most Bluefaced he is pretty easy going and doesn't mind the new addition at all. I may have to look at a metal manger for Frazier's paddock or depending on how this breeding season plays out this might be Frazier's last party.

I also remembered why I hate oil based paint. It's like it stays around spreading it's colored love for weeks after you think you are done with it.

Keep Prepping Everyone!!!!!!!