Lamb losses

It doesn't matter how long you farm, it's still sad when you lose a lamb.

Late last night we had one that was very weak. So I bought her up to the house and she became a kitchen lamb.

I set to work with a blow dryer in oder to gently warm her. She was covered in meconium, so it was a sticky messy job to get her dry. I knew she would make it when at one point she lifted her head to look at me - she was doing her best to come around.

I then managed to get several syringes of colostrum into her, she readily sucked at the syringe by the last one.

Then it was into the warming box.

For the rest of the night I fed her and checked on her. By morning, I was greeted with a wagging tail and a smiling face.

Worth every messy moment.

Auction finds

I love country auctions. You can find the most unique items. Check out my new guardian sheep :) they came as a pair and I think they look magnificent in the garden!

Taking the plunge

We have realized that we are going to need more sheep. Starting with 21 was a terrific way for us to determine if we actually like sheep farming, and if we have a knack for it.

It seems we do, we successfully delivered lambs and didn't have to bottle feed a single one. (Thanks to my dear sweet firemans patience in teaching new lambs to suckle!)

In order to actually begin making money as a farm, we will need to increase our numbers to about 150. The trouble is that Rideau Arcott sheep are hard to come by. 

 My thinking initially was that finding ewes can't be that hard right?

Boy was I wrong. It was like collecting rare baseball cards. 12 from this person. 7 from this person.

At this rate it will be years before we reach 150!

So far, we have managed to secure another 55, which will bring us to just over 80 including our new ewe lambs from our own flock.  Not nearly close enough, so we will continue to search for ewes!

Newbies in the Business

Someone asked me the other day how long I had been "lambing".  I had a good giggle.  I looked him straight in the eye  and said "about 9 days now". 

If it weren't for the overwhelming support and kindness of other shepherds, and the power of YouTube videos (which we have used on many occasions in the barn at 3am!) we wouldn't have a clue what we are doing.

Somehow, we are managing. And these lovely wee ones remind us daily that we are succeeding as farmers!

Merry Christmas

As you stand in the barn in the very early morning hours, it's quite easy to imagine why Joseph and Mary chose a stable so many years ago.  There is something comforting about the soft rustling of the animals, and the smells of the barn all mixed together.

Without much effort you can envision Mary with the newborn Jesus sitting in the hay. The sheep would have been curious as they often are. Wondering what this new thing was, can you eat it? What does it smell like? If anything I am sure Joseph would have to shoo away the nosy ones.

People often ask us why we chose this lifestyle. "why on earth would you give up your lovely house in the city to move to the middle of nowhere and have to do so much work?"

It's hard to explain. But standing in the barn on a cold snowy December morning, it's quite simple to feel.

Wee Wooly Ones

Well, it's official.  After months of talking about it, and weeks of planning - the sheep have arrived. We were not quite ready, in fact we still have to finish fencing in the pasture, but thus far they haven't attempted to escape.

It has been interesting to understand the ways of sheep.  They are quite a skittish bunch. If I walk up to the herd, they tend to walk the other way. This is extremely helpful when bringing them in at night, but doesn't soothe the urge I get to dig my hands into their woolly coats and give them a big old fashioned bear hug.

Of our four donkeys, Whisky and Lucy are best with the sheep.  Clover and Radar have been very naughty, and spent hours chasing the sheep during the first two days.  The combination of the hot September sunshine and the thick woolly coats was not conducive to running laps around the pasture, so Clover and Radar have been relocated to the centre courtyard. They are not happy about this, and have made their displeasure known by loudly braying and complaining.  Each night when we bring the sheep in, we bring the donkey's in as well and house them all side by side. We are hoping that with time Clover and Radar learn to accept the sheep.

I am still not used to their droppings.  After months of scooping donkey poop, the wee tiny pellets produced by the sheep led me to believe we had been infiltrated by rabbits! Tiny.  Extremely tiny. So tiny that my manure fork can't pick them up. I have resorted to sweeping the concrete. Which works...kind of.

I have suggested to the better half that a giant shop vac would do a fine job. He gave me "the look".   I didn't understand what was so odd about vacuuming the concrete paddock area. Now if I decide to pull out the Swiffer, then I would understand the concern,.

The cutest ass

Asses are like potato chips, or purses, or great shoes...you cannot stop at one.

What began as a practical means of keeping coyotes out of the field, has now turned into a bit of an ass obsession. I fear that I will turn into a wild eyed version of the crazy cat lady - standing in some old post and beam barn surrounded by asses.

I swore I would stop at three, but then I read on a highly official government site that you should have one donkey per 50 sheep.  Of course, another site said that was hogwash, and that you could have one per every 100 sheep, but I used the first ratio as my strong argument in the purchase of Lucy.  Never mind that we don't have the sheep yet...it's all about effective planning!

Lucy is our new 4 month old donkey.  How could I resist her charm?

Donkey's are wonderful when it comes to livestock protection. In terms of value for dollar, they provide endless hours of entertainment, in addition to coyote protection.

In order for donkeys to provide the best predator protection possible it is important to first understand how they protect the flock. Think of a donkey like a security guard - in order to provide protection they must both be in the right place at the right time. The donkey's herding instinct combined with its inherent dislike and aggressiveness towards coyotes and dogs make it an effective livestock guard animal.

If a coyote enters the field, a donkey will raise a ruckus, and chase the intruder. In most cases they will actually confront the predator, and attack them by rising up on their hind legs and striking with both front feet. They will then attempt to bite the back of the predators neck as it ducks to defend itself, causing damage to main arteries.

It really makes you stop and think about how cute and fuzzy they are doesn't it?

Perhaps that's why I like them, they are cute, sweet and fuzzy...until you rub them the wrong way!



Hee-Haw

My brain has become an incredible sponge these days. In addition to reading several books that will help me be a better leader in my day job (yes dear reader - I do have a day job to support my farm habit!) I have also been learning about pigs, chickens, cows, solar energy, pasture management...and donkeys.

I must confess, I am facinated by the donkeys. 

It could harken back to the days when I was in love with all things horse, and adorned my bedroom walls with pictures torn from horse magazines. I used to look forward to the summertime, when I could attend "horse camp" - although truth be told I seemed to get along better with the horses than the campers.

Donkeys on the whole are quite intelligent, and whereas a horse will flee from a predator - donkey's will rise to fight one. Using their sharp wee hooves they will clobber the beast to death.  All the while, raising the alarm so that the farmer is roused from his slumber and can come running down to the barns. 

Seems like a fairly decent alarm system.

The Ontario government recognizes the use of donkey's as herd guardians, and suggests the following guidelines for introducing them to your livestock. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/sheep/facts/donkey2.htm 

What has become apparent is that they are herd animals, and do best in pairs. I like this idea - but it also doubles the cost of care.  I am hoping that our cattle will keep her from feeling lonely. From the reading I have done, a Jack (an ungelded male donkey) is more dangerous than a bull.  

You can read more about Jacks, Jenny's and Gelded males here http://www.calkinsart.net/donkeyinfo/jacksjennies.html   This site also has a great page called the Jack files. It's a scarey read - and certainly makes one think twice about keeping an ungelded male. 

Having said that, in our search we have come across a Jack for sale who is a sweet fellow. The question is - at two years old will the "Jack" behavior still exist even if he is gelded?  

I suppose in the end, Noah had it right. We all do better in pairs.