I asked someone for help to move the rams back out of the breeding pens and the ewes together in preparation for lambing and was told to go get some one else. So, I thought about this endeavour for a while and devised a strategy. The plan was to move the Cotswolds in with the Tunis sheep, since I am not sure if Bob bred any of the girls at all. Thomas Tunis did not seem too interested so maybe Bob did his job before he got sick. I am sure hoping so. And I hope Bob makes it another year to give one more round of his babies. He is the sweetest ram I have ever known.
Back to my plan to move the sheep, I let the Jacobs out hoping they would cross into the farmyard, but Karin the llama was not being cooperative and the little ones just follow her and stay close to her. Robbie the trusty border collie was not helpful either, heading the sheep off where I wanted them to go and sending them back. Grrrrr. Eventually I got them into the farmyard though. I had moved the Romanov ram and the Romney ram just before this by opening the gates at the right time. I swear that someone out there was helping me, because that went smoothly.
Then Gunnar, the Icelandic was next. He was easy because he was very interested in what was going on in the ram pen, namely ramming. The same went for Gandolf the Shetland ram, who could not wait to take his turn with the rams. There was a hole in the fence between the Icelandic and Shetlands and I moved the panel. In an instant both Jewel and Gem were through, but Georgie was still in there when it was dark and I left her. Hopefully she will figure things out in the morning. Then I will open the other gate and get the Shetlands and Icelandics into the farmyard and finally into the pen I want them in. I will do the same with the Babydolls after getting the ram out of there, but I think I will need help with that one and bringing the beautiful Blue Faced Leicester cross ram into the ewe pen to clean up any misses. He is going to love that.
This is the last year I will keep a ram for each breed of ewe I have. It is my intention to sell the Romanovs, Romneys, Tunis, Jacobs, Shetlands and Icelandics, possibly keeping a ewe lamb from each breed only. One fleece per breed is all I really want to work with, so that will be plenty. I likely will hang on to the Babydolls for a while, because I love them so, but I only have Rosey and Rosalee as purebreds now.
So, the lack of willing help helped me to do it my way, do it myself. Although I would have loved some assistance, I did get it done and am proud of the plan and that it worked. I will ask someone to give me a hand with the big BFL ram though. It will take a couple of strong people to hang onto him. Then it is a waiting time for the lambs to be born in late April and early May. Some may be very late in July if they were not bred in their breeding groups and the clean up ram got to them, but better late lambs than no lambs. I also put the two little mini Nubians in with the Nigerian Dwarf buck. I know one for sure was in heat and she stood for the buck . I can't wait to see those adorable, cute little babies!
Oh, and I managed to lock up the piggies in their shelter again after being out for the past few warm days. The little boar, Barney, is sold and will be picked up on Monday. He will be very easy to catch in the shelter. Fred, Wilma and Betty are sure going to miss him!
Back to my plan to move the sheep, I let the Jacobs out hoping they would cross into the farmyard, but Karin the llama was not being cooperative and the little ones just follow her and stay close to her. Robbie the trusty border collie was not helpful either, heading the sheep off where I wanted them to go and sending them back. Grrrrr. Eventually I got them into the farmyard though. I had moved the Romanov ram and the Romney ram just before this by opening the gates at the right time. I swear that someone out there was helping me, because that went smoothly.
Then Gunnar, the Icelandic was next. He was easy because he was very interested in what was going on in the ram pen, namely ramming. The same went for Gandolf the Shetland ram, who could not wait to take his turn with the rams. There was a hole in the fence between the Icelandic and Shetlands and I moved the panel. In an instant both Jewel and Gem were through, but Georgie was still in there when it was dark and I left her. Hopefully she will figure things out in the morning. Then I will open the other gate and get the Shetlands and Icelandics into the farmyard and finally into the pen I want them in. I will do the same with the Babydolls after getting the ram out of there, but I think I will need help with that one and bringing the beautiful Blue Faced Leicester cross ram into the ewe pen to clean up any misses. He is going to love that.
This is the last year I will keep a ram for each breed of ewe I have. It is my intention to sell the Romanovs, Romneys, Tunis, Jacobs, Shetlands and Icelandics, possibly keeping a ewe lamb from each breed only. One fleece per breed is all I really want to work with, so that will be plenty. I likely will hang on to the Babydolls for a while, because I love them so, but I only have Rosey and Rosalee as purebreds now.
So, the lack of willing help helped me to do it my way, do it myself. Although I would have loved some assistance, I did get it done and am proud of the plan and that it worked. I will ask someone to give me a hand with the big BFL ram though. It will take a couple of strong people to hang onto him. Then it is a waiting time for the lambs to be born in late April and early May. Some may be very late in July if they were not bred in their breeding groups and the clean up ram got to them, but better late lambs than no lambs. I also put the two little mini Nubians in with the Nigerian Dwarf buck. I know one for sure was in heat and she stood for the buck . I can't wait to see those adorable, cute little babies!
Oh, and I managed to lock up the piggies in their shelter again after being out for the past few warm days. The little boar, Barney, is sold and will be picked up on Monday. He will be very easy to catch in the shelter. Fred, Wilma and Betty are sure going to miss him!
That big guy in the centre is the ram I want to use for the clean up ram to breed any ewes that may have been missed. He is gorgeous.
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