It was the most beautiful ram head I had ever laid my eyes on, long, massive, symmetrical, the sort of trophy the sheep hunter dreams about but seldom sees. I had known it was good, but not that good.

The feeder is bright red, and Nicholson believes the paint has been rubbing off on his flock while they feed. "They've got very attractive pink hairdos now, so we're quite pleased with that," he said.