The big ram that everyone around here is always so afraid of losses almost all his intimidation factor after being sheared. Poor guy is really not that big when you take that huge fleece off him. Maybe it's just me but he also losses some of his confidence with that fleece as well and turns into a real pussycat after it's done.
This morning was a scene of happiness and contentment too. To us 45 degree mornings maybe a bit cool but to those poor sheep under all that wool it was like laying in front of a furnace on a hot July day. This time of year the poor ewes were always locked up in the barn to do nothing but lay around until all the lambs were born but now that I am concentrating on the livestock portion of the farm and opened up a little dry lot for them they are in heaven. They have enough room to run a bit, jump around as much as their preggo bellies allow, can nap in the sun or shade depending on their current needs and poke fun at the rams through the fence.
The birthing stalls are open, prepped and ready so when one knows it's time she goes and picks her stall and does the deed. We have to go and check every hour or so for new arrivals but most of the ewes have the routine down now. They just seem very pleased to have a bit more space added to the waiting area of the maternity ward.
Now that I have the sheep all squared away for lambing season it's time to get back on the fence and pay a bit more attention to the bee yard situation.
Bu not today. It's beautiful outside and I should get some work done but I really need to take it easy and rest up a bit.
Keep Prepping Everyone!!!!
What decided you on raising sheep? They seem fairly easy to keep but I wondered how you came to the decision, your thought processes.
ReplyDeleteI like to pick your brain PP!
One more thought. Like you I have to force myself to take down time...
ReplyDeleteLW - I wasn't going to go with Sheep or Goats at first but I decided to put the garden infrastructure and a few other things like stored items before livestock. My original plan was actually going to be smaller breed cattle like Dexters because, well I love beef but then my Wife showed me the wonders of Lamb and I had to admit I liked it as much as beef if not more. The final point though was that we already had a flock of sheep that belonged to my mother and therefore almost free livestock because she gives her ewes away rather than sending them to market.
DeleteI would also add when the wife and I were in the market for some land we made the deal to take this place over and get my mother out from under the payment water she was in. The agreement was she would continue to get the hay off the place and have control over the pasture and barn until such time as her animals died. She was NOT allowed to get anymore. So in a sense we basically inherited the sheep and horses and now my mother sits on her porch and watches them which is all she wants to do anyway.
So I figured I might as well go on with the sheep. The horses life expectancy is directly connected to my mothers health however. The donkey is currently in a gray area because I kinda like that old donkey even if she is worthless.
I have never eaten lamb that I liked, probably cooked wrong. I sure appreciate picking your brain!
DeleteLooks like things are going well. I feel for the Rams, they lost there mojo. Like when I lost most of my hair......
ReplyDeleteRob - Actually the Blue Faced doesn't look that much smaller but he has incredibly sensitive skin so he will be hiding from the sun for a few weeks. He is actually of a pretty respectable size but such a pussycat with people it doesn't matter anyway. Frazier now, well he knows he has lost all his intimidation he had going on.
DeleteRob I love your comment! Actually made me laugh out loud!
DeleteMaybe you can have somebody knit the guys a full body wig out of some of that wool? Or how about a Ram Comb-Over?
ReplyDeleteCarolyn - Heh it is really kinda funny I never really thought he would lose so much of his size from that wool. There ain't nothing left to comb over it's all just pink skin to where he almost glows in the dark :)
DeleteI can't get over how early you guys shear your sheep. Is your cold weather pretty much over now then?
ReplyDeleteWe need a before and after picture of the ram, unless you think he'd be too embarrassed!
ReplyDelete