Crossword Dictionary
WETHER
wether - n
male sheep especially a castrated one
A wether is a male sheep castrated before sexual maturity. The term wether is also used to describe a castrated goat and on farms which breed club lambs (lambs bred for shows which emphasize carcass quality), the female sheep which are the mothers of these lambs are sometimes referred to as “wether dams.â€
There are several reasons why shepherds choose to castrate a ram and make him a wether.
Once castrated, a ram is generally more docile, easy to handle, and less aggressive due to his lower levels of testosterone. If you aren’t intending to use a ram for breeding purposes, this can make him much easier to deal with around the farm.
Not only that, on smaller hobby farms it’s an appealing option. A castrated ram doesn’t have to be separated from your ewes. This can reduce the number of paddocks or pens you have to clean and maintain, making it easier to manage your flock.