Also, be sure to check out Creating An Enriching Life For Sheep for enrichment ideas to utilize during times when someone must be away from their companions. You can read more about considering alternative living arrangements due to a health concern here. Sometimes you need to consider separating an individual from their companions due to a health issue. Similarly, if due to spatial constraints you are considering housing your sheep residents with residents of another species, you will need to do so thoughtfully. If a sheep resident is unable to live with other sheep, it will be important to give them the opportunity to bond with a companion(s) of a different species while ensuring everyone’s safety. However, it’s important to offer residents enough space and resources- overcrowding and competing for resources can result in unhealthy flock dynamics. With this in mind, we recommend giving sheep residents the opportunity to live with other sheep whenever possible. or being separated from individuals they are bonded with can cause significant distress. Forcibly isolating an individual to live alone and apart from their companions can result in boredom, loneliness, anxiety, and distress. In non-medical circumstances, isolation represents the act of preventing an individual from being near their companions due to forced separation. Living in isolation In medical and health-related circumstances, isolation represents the act or policy of separating an individual with a contagious health condition from other residents in order to prevent the spread of disease. Living in flocks can help provide protection from predators, and even in settings where individuals are not at risk of predation, living with other sheep can offer a sense of security. Sheep are social animals who have evolved to live in flocks with other sheep. In addition to the information below, you’ll need to consider the specific needs of the individuals you are considering housing them with. Below we’ll discuss important things to keep in mind when considering living arrangements and social groupings involving sheep. Additionally, you’ll want to think about any safety risks they could potentially pose to another species and vice versa. In order to make responsible, informed decisions about living arrangements and social groups for any species at your sanctuary, it’s important to consider who they are, generally, as a species, what their needs and preferences are, and also to consider who they are as an individual. However, there are certain species who may be more likely to safely cohabitate than others, and in some cases there are species combinations that are best avoided entirely due to potential safety risks or care needs that are too different. by a member of The Open Sanctuary Project’s staff as of December 10, 2021īecause every resident is a unique individual, it’s difficult to offer specific guidance regarding safe cohabitation with members of other species. This resource has been fully reviewed and updated A member of The Open Sanctuary Project’s staff has given this resource a full review and provided updates where necessary. Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media It’s important to understand who sheep are and what they need when considering living arrangements and social groupings.
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