Docking the tails

Sheep are born with long tails. Like a Labrador. We always enjoy watching them nurse, as they wag their tails like crazy.

But at some point, they need to have their tails removed. You can chop them off, or you can place a really tight rubberband around the base of the tail and it will fall off in a few weeks.

I am sure it doesn't feel good, but I don't think it is overly painful either. The tail is mostly fluff and cartilage.

We docked the tails of Selma and Patty today, and they headed back into the field and are trying to pull off the rubberband with their teeth, and rubbing their behinds in the grass. Poor little ones. Jason is below with Selma.