All those who keep Manx Loaghtan sheep should have a basic understanding of their behaviour. Watching and understanding Loaghtans is important for good sheep management. Behaviour patterns are more readily recognisable in these sheep because they are more pronounced than in developed breeds.
All sheep spend most of their time grazing, walking or resting. If alarmed, sheep hold their heads high and freeze, which instantly signals alarm to neighbouring sheep who immediately respond in the same way. Sheep may also stamp their front feet or strut about stiffly, keeping a close eye on the source of the disturbance.
Sheep will not readily engage in eye contact with other sheep, since direct eye contact amongst sheep signals an aggressive pose, save for when a ewe is calling her lamb. In the event of a clash between rams, the submissive ram may even close his eyes rather than confront the victor.
Sheep often walk in a line and in this situation the sheep at the front is the dominant flock member. When a flock is resting, individual sheep position themselves so as not to look at each other directly and when in close proximity to others, flock etiquette demands that it is only the dominant animal which is free to look in all directions. The subordinates will look away and turns their backs towards dominant members of the flock.
In the case of the dominant ram, he will face other sheep and male and female subordinates will turn around. Whilst females rarely engage in mounting each other, a ram mounting another sheep, either male or female, is an effective means of asserting dominance.
Amongst both rams and ewes the front legs are used to emphasise dominance. In the case of rams, the dominant male will lift his leg swiftly so as to deliver a blow to the chest of the other, and he will growl loudly. Where the dominant animal wishes to displace another from a resting place, the kick will be replaced by pawing the ground.
Where a number of rams are kept together outside of the breeding period, they will show no interest in the females. However, when the mating season approaches, the rams will struggle for an order of dominance. Aggressive activity between the rams, although sometime fierce, is not intended to kill the opponent, merely to win dominance and establish the hierarchy.
Introducing a new mature ram to an existing ram group can generate increased aggression and therefore it is wise to pen the ram group relatively tightly so as to provide a safe environment in which the jostling for dominance can take place, without sufficient room for backing off and charging. Alternatively, introducing a new bloodline for breeders can be achieved with less aggression by bringing in a ram lamb which will not pose the same threats or generate the same aggression as a mature ram.
Blocking can be observed amongst rams that are unfamiliar and will not confront each other. The encounters are therefore inconclusive with rams standing side by side, head to tail or head to head, for sometimes relatively long periods, nudging and hooking each other in the flanks until they tire.
Rams interact with each other largely through horn displays where the size of the horns is very important. As rams mature they will display to other rams in three possible ways:
Presenting horns occurs between rams particularly after a clash. Rams raise and turn their heads to one side, thus presenting the greatest mass of horns to their opponent. The rams remain still and take time to assess each other’s horn size. The rams with the smaller horns will back away and dominance of the other ram will be established.
Horns are displayed with a lowered head which is turned very similarly as in presenting horns.
Rams display the twist as an intensified low stretch, with the head rotated; the ram flicks his tongue in and out whilst he utters a harsh loud growl. If he is standing behind a ewe or a subordinate ram he will be likely to push his horns into the other’s flank and may continue by mounting.
Usually occurring where a subordinate ram challenges a dominant ram, the
clash is a sophisticated piece of behaviour whereby dominance is asserted or
challenged. Each ram musters all his force to deliver as hard a blow as possible
to the opposing ram’s skull and that force is gathered as each ram steps back,
prior to charging. In primitive breeds, including Loaghtans, rams will also lift
their front quarters clear of the ground so as to achieve maximum impact with
the increased force of gravity.
Whilst the structure of the skull has evolved so as to cushion such blows and
brain injury is rare, broken necks can occur. Most of the damage is sustained by
the head, horns and neck.
A period of review, although this may be momentary, follows the clash during
which there is an assessment of damage sustained, whilst judging the relative
size of the other ram's horns and likely outcome of further contact.
Four-horned rams will clash in the same way save for where the horns point
forward in which case dominance is asserted or challenged by side flicks of the
horns onto the other’s flank. Four horned rams with horns pointing forward are
considered to be less aggressive and therefore more easily handled than two
horned rams, but rams are to be respected at all times, whatever their horn
configuration!
Ewes will come into season naturally in the late autumn. The rams will curl their lips and approach the ewe in a low stretch from behind, nuzzling her rear. If the ewe urinates in response, the urine will flow over the lips of the ram and then the lip curls. The purpose of this display is unclear although it is thought that the ram can tell by smell whether the ewe is in season. Prior to mating the ram will move the female away from the rest of the flock and chase off any other rams. The ram should remain with the ewes for at least six weeks as ewes come into season every three weeks and this allows for “return” in the event that pregnancy is not achieved the first time. The gestation period is 147 days, just short of five calendar months. Rams should be withdrawn to their ram group about six weeks after tupping, otherwise they are likely to bully the ewes off their food.
Never keep rams on their own as all sheep are sociable animals and they have a strong instinct to relate to other sheep. Ram owners must expect to sustain a certain amount of damage to property such as broken fence posts and gates. Rams are potentially dangerous animals and must be treated with respect at all times.
Sheep of all ages and both sexes will thresh shrubs and bunches of grass,
small trees or fencing posts. Frequent horning of fence posts by rams, generally
leads to the posts’ destruction!