What is a sheep’s favourite treat?

August 7, 2023 8:01 AM

I’m staying near a place that has sheep. They seem used to being fed by passerby, but aren’t very interested in the pumpkin seeds I have to offer. What foods do sheep prefer?
posted by wheatlets to Pets & Animals (8 answers total)

Sheep farmer here: please do not feed other people's animals without permission, as it can cause all sorts of problems. I would be very unhappy and yell a lot if I found someone feeding my sheep. If you really want to you should try to introduce yourself to the owner and ask permission, and if the owner feels like it they can give you some sheep kibble to offer.
posted by Rhedyn at 8:17 AM on August 7, 2023 [48 favorites]

Yeah seriously as someone married to a horse person, who has heard a ton of horror stories: do not feed other people's livestock. Seriously just don't, not even if everyone else is.
posted by restless_nomad at 9:17 AM on August 7, 2023 [9 favorites]

If you want the experiencing of feeding them, just gather up some of whatever's growing in the pasture that they're in: grass, clover, flowers, whatever. They may find eating out of your hands novel, even if the food source is the same.
posted by mezzanayne at 11:53 AM on August 7, 2023

I would avoid feeding the sheep or trying to deliberately interact with the sheep. There are potential behavioral issues that can crop up in rams if they are too socialized to people that ultimately make them dangerous to their owners and others (i.e. actual ramming behavior bc they are no longer afraid of humans). The flock you are observing may not have a ram, but still, don't do that.

Think of it as, would you feed a stranger's dog or baby a food item without checking with their caretaker first? Probably not.
posted by ellerhodes at 12:44 PM on August 7, 2023 [4 favorites]

What ellerhodes said, 100%. If you want to interact with sheep or other livestock then the best thing is to look for open farm days, livestock shows, smallholder courses etc where the owner is there to supervise.
posted by Rhedyn at 12:54 PM on August 7, 2023

Also farmed animal sanctuaries. There are a lot of those all over, and many of them would love volunteers.
posted by FencingGal at 1:04 PM on August 7, 2023 [2 favorites]

Talk to the owner. If they're ok with it, they'll let you know what and how to feed.
posted by BlueHorse at 1:32 PM on August 7, 2023 [4 favorites]

Ditto on please do not feed livestock without the owners permission! A friendly sheep who is interested in being pet will very much enjoy a little stroke to the side of the face, in my experience, but also please avoid rubbing them on the top of the head as it can encourage rams or young male sheep to butt people.
posted by In Your Shell Like at 6:37 AM on August 8, 2023