Object number
55/173
Description
This is a 'ram scarer' - a contraceptive device for sheep. It was hung over the back of a ewe to discourage a ram from breeding. It is not known where or when this object was made or used.
Physical description
contraceptive apparatus: metalmetal chain and baubles
Label Text
Though very little is known about this object, it has been identified as a rare kind of sheep contraceptive, which was draped over the back of a ewe to prevent rams from mating. It is also known as a 'ram scarer'. There are various reasons why a farmer wouldn't want certain ewes to breed with certain rams; for example, to avoid inbreeding. In the 1960s it was also speculated that this object could be a curtain chain. It was featured in a 2018 Twitter thread.
Archival history
MERL miscellaneous note, Felicity McWilliams, 3 August 2015 - 'A similar object to this was on display at the Musée Cévenol in Le Vigan, France in 2013, in a display of objects for protecting sheep against wolves. Their curator replied to an enquiry by email to state that its identification was a mystery to them also. A further reply in August 2015 stated that a visitor to the museum there had confirmed the identification of it as a sheep contraceptive device. It is also known as a 'ram scarer' - an example apparently exists in the collection of York Castle Museum.', University of Reading ‘Memorandum Form’ – 18 May 1966 – ‘On 16th May a Mr. McPherson from Streatley called at the Museum to see Brian Loughborough re problem objects in his possession. He saw the accession no.55/173 and confirmed that in his opinion and experience it was a device for the purpose of contraception in rams. // On 17th May a letter was received from Mr. Hawtin of Taunton (Somerset Education Committee– Schools officer Taunton Museum) regarding a similar object which was sent to the Museum for identification.’, Letter, J. M. Lafello, 29 July 1965 – ‘When my grandmother saw your photograph on the front page of our local paper, she told me that it really was a curtain-chain which was used – as a curtain-band – on each side of the window to prevent the curtains from falling and hiding completely the panes.’ A second letter, in French, from T. Lecoeuvre 31 July 1965 also identifies the object as ‘chaines de rideaux’ – curtain chains., Letter, Victor to Andrew, 19 November 1965 – ‘I think I can now claim to have solved the great Sheep “chain” mystery; I sent a drawing to ‘Les Informations Dieppeioses’ and their readers supplied the enclosed answers, they gave it a front page spread. I am afraid you will have to re-classify them.’
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External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_7240.tif - High resolution image
