Testosterone can coarsen a ram’s wool, but only by about 1 to 3 microns (micrometer, or 1 millionth of a meter). If a ram fleece harbors any detectable odor, it’s quite mild and washes away during scouring, like so many other things in a fleece. Because most sheep are not sheared until late spring or summer, the scent has long since been washed and/or carried away. (Fortunately, it’s nowhere near as strong or offensive as that of buck goats in rut.) This ram scent tends to peak during the fall. Ram fleeces are neither consistently stinkier nor coarser and, when off the sheep, can be indistinguishable from that of a ewe or a wether, based on smell, sight and feel.ĭuring breeding season, however, ram fleeces do have a stronger, muskier scent. No, and they can actually produce high-quality wool, though with a few caveats. Rams’ heads return to normal size in the spring. This bulking up in the head supposedly protects rams from any breeding season bashing they may receive from other rams. Their foreheads will appear to swell slightly and/or wrinkle up. During breeding season-between late September and early January, depending on geography-rams’ noses may broaden and look thicker or bumpier. This happens in some breeds more than others. Many flock owners think their eyes must be playing tricks on them, but it’s true: Sometimes the size and/or shape of a ram’s head will change. In honor of rams’ favorite time of year-autumn breeding season -here are some of my favorite, frequently asked questions about rams. But questions about these enigmatic guys abound. They often don’t hang around as long as other sheep do, becoming either wethers (castrated males) or, frankly, dinner. Rams can feel like a forgotten part of the flock.
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