Sheepshape
Herd Master
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From the 'other side of the pond' I can say that Welsh sheep (well mine,anyway) are relatively quiet apart from a couple who really like the sound of their own voices. One little lady called Minnie (looked just like Minnie Mouse as a lamb) calls endlessly when she hears our voices. She was a bottle lamb and makes an appalling noise which passes for a bleat.....more like 'aaaaaargh' and as though she is in real pain. She goes hoarse at times as she bleats so much.
What I would say is that the bleats that they make often DO tell us something we need to know (or presumably other members of the flock need to know). We all know the 'quiet rumbling' that ewes do to encourage their lambs and to call them.A couple of days ago one of my ewes was making a very strange noise....she was calling the rams (just a couple of days to wait!). A few years ago some of my ewes were in a far field. I went to take a quick look from a far gate and one ewe made a huge noise (she is usually quiet). I got over to her to find her fleece ensnared on a branch. We had to chop the branch and cut the fleece to release a tired,hungry and thirsty ewe.
So,if you sheep make odd noises or very loud noises,they may well be trying to tell you something. As for my little foghorn Minnie....she just likes to be heard.
What I would say is that the bleats that they make often DO tell us something we need to know (or presumably other members of the flock need to know). We all know the 'quiet rumbling' that ewes do to encourage their lambs and to call them.A couple of days ago one of my ewes was making a very strange noise....she was calling the rams (just a couple of days to wait!). A few years ago some of my ewes were in a far field. I went to take a quick look from a far gate and one ewe made a huge noise (she is usually quiet). I got over to her to find her fleece ensnared on a branch. We had to chop the branch and cut the fleece to release a tired,hungry and thirsty ewe.
So,if you sheep make odd noises or very loud noises,they may well be trying to tell you something. As for my little foghorn Minnie....she just likes to be heard.
