I have a new job. Beyond lambing, sheep care, dog training etc.
Presently I am working at the farm next door to our sheep. The owner has graciously allowed us to graze the pasture and hired me to work on the property clearing, landscaping, general up keep and what ever else needs to be done.
Between lambing and my new job I am absolutely exhausted. I have lost just over 25 lbs this month.
This is an example of what I am doing with the help from a chainsaw and a 'gator' or 'mule' and my trusty co-worker Brynn.
Here is a shot of a small section of the fence-line cleared today. Trees and storm damage has fallen over fence.
Six full loads chain sawed and taken to the wood pile for chipping, later...
After
Another view of the same fence-line, other direction - Before
After
Just a mere chip off the massive iceberg of work that remains to be completed.
Onto lambs...
The lambs have been growing. We have leveled off with 29 lambs until the next batch starts.
16 ewes delivered
6 more remaining with due dates beginning next week (from second ram)
33 lambs total
1 still born (disrupted attachment - dog attack)
1 death at birth (premature ram lamb)
1 death from birth complication (ewe lamb died in birth canal during pull - TOO BIG)
1 death from being smashed in jug by ewe (ram lamb).
29 surviving lambs
10 ram lambs (12 total less two ram lamb deaths)
19 ewe lambs (20 total, less one ewe lamb death)
All banded, tagged, vaccinated and growing like weeds. We do not seem to have any bad mothers. The cluns & romneys have really impressed me - they are fantastic moms. Maimie has been taking excellent care of her triplets, very good mom. Border Leicester ewes are a little more casual in their mothering skills, but still doing a good job. All in all I am very happy with where they are.
Daisy will deliver in the next set of ewes. I am taking bets on how many lambs she is carrying. She still has two weeks to go...already she is wider than she is tall.
I am sad that Piglet will have to be culled because she is a lovely mom to her little black ewe lamb.
I actually picked up my camera this weekend and shot a bunch of pictures. Only processed the ones I needed for Beth's 52 Week submission. Here are a couple from that set.
Beth shows patience for the first time in her life with the lambs.
The ewes seem to trust her to not hurt their lambs, yet still move off of her when required.
Fred is growing well and has become people averse. He wants NOTHING to do with humans now. Good lamb, fully bonded with his new mom and adopted siblings.
Fred with his family. You can see why we call this ewe 'baldy' she rubbed her fleece off on the fence. She is now named "Sadie". She earned her name by adopting Fred and nursing 2 other lambs when they need it. She is feeding 5 lambs, thus she gets double rations of alfalfa and her very own bucket of grain. All of the lambs are gaining weight, healthy and stick to her like glue.
A couple cute ewe lambs munching on leaves.
Adorable little lamb raspberry, too cute for words.
Presently I am working at the farm next door to our sheep. The owner has graciously allowed us to graze the pasture and hired me to work on the property clearing, landscaping, general up keep and what ever else needs to be done.
Between lambing and my new job I am absolutely exhausted. I have lost just over 25 lbs this month.
This is an example of what I am doing with the help from a chainsaw and a 'gator' or 'mule' and my trusty co-worker Brynn.
Here is a shot of a small section of the fence-line cleared today. Trees and storm damage has fallen over fence.
Six full loads chain sawed and taken to the wood pile for chipping, later...
After
Another view of the same fence-line, other direction - Before
After
Just a mere chip off the massive iceberg of work that remains to be completed.
Onto lambs...
The lambs have been growing. We have leveled off with 29 lambs until the next batch starts.
16 ewes delivered
6 more remaining with due dates beginning next week (from second ram)
33 lambs total
1 still born (disrupted attachment - dog attack)
1 death at birth (premature ram lamb)
1 death from birth complication (ewe lamb died in birth canal during pull - TOO BIG)
1 death from being smashed in jug by ewe (ram lamb).
29 surviving lambs
10 ram lambs (12 total less two ram lamb deaths)
19 ewe lambs (20 total, less one ewe lamb death)
All banded, tagged, vaccinated and growing like weeds. We do not seem to have any bad mothers. The cluns & romneys have really impressed me - they are fantastic moms. Maimie has been taking excellent care of her triplets, very good mom. Border Leicester ewes are a little more casual in their mothering skills, but still doing a good job. All in all I am very happy with where they are.
Daisy will deliver in the next set of ewes. I am taking bets on how many lambs she is carrying. She still has two weeks to go...already she is wider than she is tall.
I am sad that Piglet will have to be culled because she is a lovely mom to her little black ewe lamb.
I actually picked up my camera this weekend and shot a bunch of pictures. Only processed the ones I needed for Beth's 52 Week submission. Here are a couple from that set.
Beth shows patience for the first time in her life with the lambs.
The ewes seem to trust her to not hurt their lambs, yet still move off of her when required.
Fred is growing well and has become people averse. He wants NOTHING to do with humans now. Good lamb, fully bonded with his new mom and adopted siblings.
Fred with his family. You can see why we call this ewe 'baldy' she rubbed her fleece off on the fence. She is now named "Sadie". She earned her name by adopting Fred and nursing 2 other lambs when they need it. She is feeding 5 lambs, thus she gets double rations of alfalfa and her very own bucket of grain. All of the lambs are gaining weight, healthy and stick to her like glue.
A couple cute ewe lambs munching on leaves.
Adorable little lamb raspberry, too cute for words.
