.. and another theory goes down in flames.

This morning I witnessed a fight between two ewes. One was Seraphima, one of our "original 5" - by now pretty senior and dominant ewe. The other one was Freckles, a first time mother, not even 2 years old and way down on the social ladder.

I didn't see what started it (although ewes can keep a grudge for years, so I may have been watching Episode 165, who knows). After a few head-butts and threatening postures Freckles decided that discretion is the better part of valor and backed off. Seraphima, obviously still pretty pumped up from the fight, looked around and saw Freckles' lamb nearby. She took a few steps and hit him (at which point Freckles rushed back and insert herself between them, blah, blah, blah..)

Wow. And I used to think I know how sheep think.

P.S. Is it possible that the lamb smells so much like his mom that Seraphima was actually thinking she's hitting Freckles? The lamb is only a few days old, so I guess it's possible. Than the theory stands :)