Catching and holding of sheep and goats easily might sound like a farmyard wrestling match, but with the right techniques, it’s all about finesse, not force! Discover the art of catching and holding these agile animals with ease, transforming what used to be a chaotic chase into a smooth, stress-free process for both you and your livestock.
Whether you’re a seasoned shepherd or new to the herd, mastering these methods will make your work more efficient and your animals happier. Let’s look into the secrets of shepherding success!
Sheep
Catching a sheep correctly should be easy. Doing it incorrectly can be stressful for both the shepherd and the sheep. If the sheep is not calm or used to human contact and cannot be approached directly, it should be herded with a few other sheep into a corner or small pen. The sheep can then be caught in the following way:
1. Grasp the sheep by the neck or the upper part of a back leg.
2. Place your right hand on its muzzle and gently but firmly turn its head sideways (to its left). The sheep will then fall to the ground.
3. Hold the top of the front legs, one in each hand, and tilt the sheep into a sitting position, with it leaning slightly backward against your legs. The sheep will now be relaxed, allowing you to trim its hooves or examine its udder.
Note that some shepherds use a crook to catch sheep. A crook is a strong pole, about 1.5 meters long, with a hooked end. A neck crook has a large hook to fit around the sheep’s neck, while a leg crook has a smaller hook to fit around the leg.
Read Also: Procedure for Hoof Trimming in Sheep and Goat
Goats
The easiest way to catch a goat is to lure it with food! If this doesn’t work, a group of goats can be herded into a pen or enclosure where individual animals can be caught. Approaching from the side and catching the horns, leg, or neck usually works. The goat can be moved into a sitting position by:
1. First, reach under the belly and gently pull the two furthest legs towards you.
2. With the goat now on its side, lean over to catch both front legs, and back the goat up towards you so that it sits on its bottom.
An alternative method is to place one hand on the shoulder and one under the neck and carefully twist the goat into a sitting position. Be mindful of the horns! You can now examine the feet and trim the hooves.
In summary, to catch and restrain sheep or goats effectively, it’s important to use gentle and correct techniques to minimize stress for both the animals and the handler. For sheep, it involves herding them into a small space, grabbing the neck or leg, and gently tilting them into a sitting position for easy handling. Some shepherds use a crook for assistance.
For goats, luring them with food is often effective, but if not, they can be gently maneuvered into a sitting position by catching their horns, legs, or neck. These methods allow for safe examination and care of the animals.
Read Also: Diseases and Parasites of Sheep and Goats
Read Also: List of Problems Confronting Livestock Production
