Lambing has begun!

This is little Jewel, she is a purebred Dorper ewe lamb that was born on Feb 26th at 4:30 in the morning. She weighed in at 7lbs and is a little triplet. It was very sad that both her brothers did not make it. We had gale force winds and low temperatures that made things very rough. We had to bring her in the house to warm her up. She is a lively little girl that has a wonderful hair coat on her. I am looking forward to seeing how she shapes up as she gets older.

Our Donkey

Two more pictures of our new ( not yet named ) new friend. We tried to give her some grass cubes as a treat. She was a lot more interested in the bucket. She is playful and is slowly coming around to the idea that we are not so bad to be around. She needs a good brushing so hopefully it won't take her too long to get used to the idea that I am okay. She has been shuffled around as the meat buyer bought her at auction and then we bought her from him. Who knows how many times this sweet girl has been really moved from place to place. It may take her a little while to start to feel secure here. We did take the bucket away and replaced it with a big green ball she can play with if she gets bored.

Newest Addition

This is the newest addition to our little group. Her name is yet to be determined. We need to let her settle in and show her personality. She is a little sweetheart and will hopefully become our flock guard. We are working on her getting used to the sheep in a separate pen beside them.

Ruby WIN 9X

Are you looking at me? What is that thing in your hand? This is Ruby WIN9X looking more and more like her mother every day!

WIN 23X

Yummy supper! This is Fauna, also known as WIN 23X. She is enjoying her supper of nice fresh hay. This little girl is super cute but a little small.

Fall is here already!

Well it is September already... where did the summer go? It was a cool rather wet summer but we did fair better than some. We have 2 good cuts of hay up and the sheep are looking good. We will be checking all the breeding ewes over this coming weekend in preparation for breeding to begin the first week of October. I want to make sure everyone has all their tags ( I know a few have pulled them out on the fences ). It is time to trim up their feet again and separate out the young ewes that will be waiting until spring to be bred and the experienced ewes that will be going in with the ram. Buster (the ram) will also have a good checkup and get his feet done too. I don't like leaving everything until the last minute. I am not anticipating any problems as I keep a close eye on my flock at all times. Fall mode is in full swing but I really want to hold onto that summer feeling. Oh well.. cooler days are on the way. At least today there is some blue in the sky. It is good to have some sunshine as it warms the soul and also provides some much needed power to the house! It has been a rough week power wise with little to no sunshine and also very little wind! Hopefully this is the start of a sunny break in the weather :)

Farm Visit to Avery's Katahdins

Beautiful Sheep

 

A cool morning and the sheep are enjoying it. These girls make a beautiful picture as they relax and graze in the pasture. It was a pleasure to stand and watch them for a little while. 

Farm Visit to Avery's Katahdins

An evening check on the boys

We were back at Avery's Katahdins this past weekend to pickup 5 more ewes and a ewe lamb. This picture was taken the evening we arrived. It was a nice night and we were meeting the rams and their body guards. This was our 2nd visit to see Dee and Jack and we really enjoyed ourselves. I just had to walk around the farm and see all the sheep again. They are so well cared for and it really does show.

Cassandra and Ruby

Cassandra and her little horned friend

My daughter Cassandra with one of her favorite ewe lambs. This little ewe lamb we call Ruby. She is Katahdin and we do love her horns which she gets from her mom. As we are raising our sheep for meat horns are not an issue for us. Ruby is very gentle and friendly and is shaping up to be a very nice ewe.

Buster

Buster Again

Another picture of the big guy. Nice long body, deep chest and look at that butt. He should produce some lovely lambs for us.

Buster

This fellow will be servicing our girls this fall. 

Buster is a lovely purebred Dorper of the Ram H line. He is our chosen sire for next years crop of lambs.

Farm Visit Wiseway Farms

We were at Wiseway Farms last weekend buying some lovely Dorper girls to add to our flock. Ellen and her daughter Naomi raise some beautiful Dorper sheep. It is easy to see that the sheep are well cared for. I enjoyed my visit with Ellen and Naomi and left their farm with 3 new additions to my flock and one for my daughters flock. I must say I do enjoy visiting with people that love their sheep as much I love my own. This is the second year in a row that I have visited with Ellen and purchased some lovely Dorper's from her to add to my flock and I am sure I will be back to add a few more next year :)

Farm Visit Wiseway Farms

Naomi

Naomi, Ellen's daughter, is a great help on the farm.

Farm Visit Wiseway Farms

Ellen's front yard

Loved the yard. It looks so relaxing!

Farm Visit Wiseway Farms

Dorper Sheep

Some lovely Dorper girls out on pasture at Wiseway Farms. 

Visit to Avery's Katahdin Hair Sheep

Last weekend my husband and I were fortunate enough to have a farm visit at Avery's Katahdin's. We enjoyed our visit very much. I was very impressed with the high quality of the sheep and the lovely facilities. The sheep were very beautiful and  the care provided to all the animals was very evident. It is refreshing to visit a farm where the love for the animals shines through. It was a great pleasure to get to know everyone there including their hired hand (grandson) and numerous pets. I had a wonderful time and felt very welcomed. I already have sheep that we purchased from Dee and Jack but I am really looking forward to acquiring more sheep from them to add to my flock. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for high quality Katahdin sheep!

Avery's Katahdins Visit

Wonderful view of their farm from their back yard.

Avery's Katahdin's farm visit

Nom Nom Nom

Dee and her grandson feeding the pet goats! The goats are just so cute! I will need to take more pictures next time I get out that way as a lot of my pictures from this visit did not turn out. (old camera)

Shedding, Shedding, Shedding!

It is most definitely that time of the year again. Some of the girls have finished and others are just getting started. Most still look pretty shaggy. Have you plucked at your sheep today?

The grass is always greener...

Now if I just stretch my neck a little more....