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Lambing Imminent

Sheep checking out new facilities

The calendar tells us spring is here though so far, the odd glimmer aside, the weather has remained pretty wintry.  However, winter or spring, the date for our ewes to lamb fast approaches.  The first is due April 10th, but could easily be early.

Sheep in lambing paddock
Sheep in lambing paddock

So, on Good Friday, we moved them.  This was a well planned operation.  First, we separated them at the gate between two fields.  We had to separate the pregnant ewes from those not expecting, namely last year’s lambs and a couple of adults with problems precluding them from giving birth.  That went quite well, though the use of sheep nuts to tempt them through the narrowly open gate was almost too much for the lambs who, being small, quick and agile, almost got past Nicole the gatekeeper.

Then it was a leisurely walk across the field, led by Nicole, while I ran on ahead to open the gates.  Across the field, down a steep slope, through a carefully cut hole in the fence, past the pond and into the lambing paddock.  The slope had been a bit of a worry because some of these ewes are massive and have quite short legs.  We had b=visions of them rolling down.  Thankfully, they negotiated it with no trouble at all.  In no time, the first 7 were into the lambing paddock.  However, the 4 lagging behind got it all wrong, missing the hole in the fence and gathering down the slope way below the entrance.

Nicole zipped over and led them through.

Now, a lot of thought has gone into this lambing paddock.  It has been months of work creating and building it, fencing, removing about 100m of chicken netting, removing masses of brambles, building and equipping the lambing shed.  We wanted a big shed with electricity and also access to grass.  This was the moment of truth – would the sheep like it.

Vi relaxing in lamb paddock
Vi relaxing in lamb paddock

Well, they love it.  A large, spacious and airy shed with fresh water and food just outside.  New views, grass that hasn’t seen a ruminant in years.  A hedge to browse.  Trees for a good head scratch.  What’s not to like?

And new creatures (hens) to observe.  The hens and sheep are sharing this area.

After a quick look round, it was time to stretch out in the afternoon sun.  Yes, afternoon sun! Mind you, the north wind was fair chilly but that’s not a problem when you have a thick woolly coat.

And now, it’s regular checks, ramping up to 3 hourly next week.  Ah, sleepless nights in store.  The good news is that the rams were only with the ewes for 2 weeks, so it should,  things hopefully going well, all be over by the end of April.  And then we’ll be posting piccies of lambs gamboling in the spring sunshine.

sheep checking out the view
sheep checking out the view

 

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Don’t mention the Sunshine

Vi on rock and Peaches

The last time I mentioned the sunshine and how welcome it was, within days the “Beast from the East” arrived bringing yet more snow and freezing conditions.  In a way, we were fortunate.  Living in the West, we were on the tail end of it so we only had a couple of inches of snow.  Nothing like January.  However, it did blow into some interesting drifts meaning only our landrovers could get in or out for a few days.

The downside was that, just as the animals were starting to find fresh grass, it all disappeared and we spent last Sunday panic buying haylage.  And, given the winter we’ve had, winter feed is scarce.

Anyway, today, the sun returned.  After yesterday’s heavy rain, it was a bit muddy again, but that didn’t seem to matter.  There’s something about a bit of spring sunshine that just makes everything a little bit easier.

Frogs and spawn
Frogs and spawn

The hens are happy.  Having spent much of the last few days, weeks even, sheltering from the elements, they were out and about in the sun.  And there have been no more badger sightings (phew!)

From nowhere, the pond is suddenly full of frogs all croaking away and breeding like, well, like frogs.  We’ve actually had to rescue a few who seemed to have given up halfway to the pond and stopped for a rest on the track.  And also, there were a number of frogs contemplating crossing the hen run to get there – not a good idea!

The sheep are as happy as we have ever seen them.  They love the haylage, so much so that the can’t be bothered to head off foraging now.  Fair enough, eleven of them are pregnant and starting to show it.  And it’s hard work waddling through mud to get to grass when there is haylage just sitting there waiting to be eaten.

Bramble free zone
Bramble free zone

But while the poor weather has slowed progress, it hasn’t stopped us.  Mrs D has been ripping out brambles with a vengeance.  Day after day, bag after bag.  Her arms getting ripped to shreds.  But what a difference.  There are still some left, especially on the west side where they are invading like triffids.  That land belongs to the Forestry Commission, so there’s not much we can do but snip those ones at the fence.

Texa
Texa

The cows continue to prosper.  The loss of Ivor has left a gap that is hard to fill, but Texa and Bluebell seem to be handling it better than we are.

Their training continues.  I call it training, but really it’s just getting them used to us.  We need to be able to comb their fringes at some point and they are not keen on being handled from the neck up.  They are getting cow nuts each day and I  use that opportunity to stroke them all round their heads.  Texa seems to be much more accepting than Bluebell.

lambing pens
lambing pens

And finally, our preparations for lambing are almost complete.  The lambing shed is pretty much complete and we have 4 lambing pens ready and waiting.  This year’s plan is to allow them to wander around the paddock in front of the house rather than keep them in the shed.  To be honest, at the first hint of rain they’ll be straight in anyway.

The electrician is coming Tuesday to install a power supply so the heat lamp you can just see dangling in the corner will be fully operational.

All in all, a good day, though we are both knackered and ready for nice hot bath.

lambing shed
lambing shed in the sun