"When a ram tips its head back, curls its upper lip, and takes a deep breath what is known in the world of animal husbandry as a flehmen response it is often a sign of arousal. Sheep have a small sensory organ located above the roof of the mouth, and the flehmen response helps to flood it with any sex pheromones wafting about."
"Rams who refuse to breed are often slaughtered for meat, and it was during a discussion of this harsh reality with Stucke's friend and business partner Nadia Leytes that the idea for Rainbow Wool was born: What can we do to not send all of them to the slaughterhouse? My heart beats for the weak and oppressed in general, Stucke told the Guardian, with Leytes translating. I am gay myself and know the prejudices and obstacles that come with being a gay man."
Rams display a flehmen response to detect sex pheromones via a small sensory organ above the roof of the mouth, often signaling arousal. An estimated up to 8% of male sheep are male-oriented, and farmers commonly view homosexual behavior unfavorably because rams are expected to breed. Rams that refuse to breed are frequently slaughtered for meat. A German farmer and partner created Rainbow Wool to buy male-oriented rams from breeders, outbidding slaughterhouses, and keep them for their wool. The flock now numbers 35 and has a waiting list, providing an alternative to slaughter.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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