Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Today dawns blustery, snowy and cold. It is the wind that brings the element of brutality to the climate. Without a doubt you understand immediately the life or death balance any mammal will face without adequate protection from the wind combined with the freezing temps.

Oddly enough, the ducks are happily paddling away on the stream which they will do all winter regardless of wind, cold, snow. They do very well on the water all year long.

Tomorrow will be an interesting day here on the farm as I am receiving three yearling ewes into the flock. These ewes were bred and born here, leaving to join another flock last winter. The flock has been disbanded and I was given the option of taking the yearlings back, so I agreed and tomorrow they arrive.

As far as I know now, that will be the end of any new animals joining our flock this year.

We are still offering three high quality ram lambs for sale, as well as two mature rams with proven breeding records.

In terms of ewes, I will be selecting replacements for some of the girls who are moving into older age. This will be hard to do because the breeding records for them have been superlative.

The three yearling ewes are all colored ranging from solid black ( which I love ) to HST ( head, socks, tail all white ) to piebald.

My intention is to expose the ewe flock to the rams at Thanksgiving which still gives me time to finalize the goals I'm creating.  I mull over the breeding pairs scrutinizing the pros and cons with an eye to eliminating as many cons as I can while instilling as many pros as I can. Then we will watch as nature takes its course, and wait.

In the beginning I am full of enthusiasm at the prospects but eventually this subsides as the day-to-day tasks overtake me, and for a few blessed weeks I forget the girls are bred but then......about six weeks from lambing time I start with renewed excitement. I think its a combination of knowing that winter is almost done, spring is almost on us, and imagining the lambs when they are born.

I watch the ewes like a hawk, checking on them every few hours and sometimes just sitting with them in the pasture for several hours at a time. This is therapeutic for me and seems to be okay with them too.

Despite my best efforts to be present for all lambing, I have a few girls who prefer to wait and lamb in secret, presenting me with freshly born, still wet lambs to help dry and monitor. 

Some ewes are seasoned dams and know what to do without any assistance from me, while the new mothers are sometimes a bit shell shocked and need some direction as they sort out their lambs, the feeding routine and all of the sensations they are bombarded with at lambing time.

This year the plan is to lamb in mid to late April, a full 8 weeks ahead of last years schedule, and I have a back up strategy for meat as well.

All things considered here it is a wonderful life albeit one where tough decisions have to be made to preserve the well being of the flock in general.

This has been a real learning year for this shepherd, bittersweet in many ways, but 2014 lies ahead and hope springs eternal!

Regards,
Kathryn

Ram lambs from 2012

 

Monday, November 18, 2013

Alpaca Blanket in Progress

Wow!

We are on the downhill slide to year's end and it doesn't seem possible!

What an incredible year in so many ways!

We started the 2013 year with only 10 of the umpteen sheep we cared for, having boarded the ewe flock out with a fellow shepherd in exchange for some of the ewe lambs.

Leaving us with only 10 Finn ram lambs, we had no idea at the time of this decision what events would unfold to make that the best decision ever.

For the most part, it was an intuitive nagging at me that urged me to seek an arrangement for the overwintering of the flock last year. While I thought the possibility of a nasty winter was the motivation for the decision, in reality and quite unexpectedly DH sustained an injury at work that made it difficult to care for the few animals remaining here over the winter. Who knew? But what a God send to not have to worry about the girls.

The little ram lambs did fabulously and provided a much needed distraction from all things droll.

Spring saw the ewes reinstalled on their home pastures and awaiting June lambs, and by the first of July the flock had expanded from a mere 21 to 61. Gotta love those Finns and their multiple births!

Lambing went well, with girls holding off while I made a quick trip overnight, and all in all it was a good lambing season.

This past two weeks has been tough as I've re-evaluated the numbers and made decisions about letting certain animals go, but I am feeling optimistic and at peace with those decisions having learned a great deal about life this week especially.

Breeding will commence in earnest Thanksgiving Day which is close at hand as I write.

The looms have been busy and I have fallen into a creative modality in weaving saddle blankets for the time being.

Regards,
Kathryn

Finished wool saddle blanket.










Saturday - Opening Day for Hunting

 November 16, 2013

Opening Day!

Its a beautiful cool, clear and sunny morning here for opening day of the 2013 hunting season.

We live in an excellent area for all types of wild life and deer are abundant so we hear and see quite a few hunters throughout the season.

Many of the small and not-so-small camps are bustling with activity and the traffic up and down our otherwise quite road, explodes.

Like most people, we have company - an old friend
and hunting buddy of the D.H.

As it happens, he's also a duck carver of many decades.

These past few years he's expanded into other
creatures and this year we were gifted with a very
unique and unusual carving of our beloved pet
Finn ram - Earl.

To say the carving looks like Earl is an understatement.

We are thrilled with the unexpected gift and honored to give it a place on our wall. How cool is that?

 

Over the last few days I've been preparing to finish off some textiles I've been working on.

The pictures are of a saddle blanket, a rug and a rug made solely from rovings. I'm still working on a throw blanket even as I prepare the loom for another saddle blanket. This one will be from Alpaca.

 

The rugs and saddle blanket are not yet finished, though the weaving is done. Remaining is the hemming and fulling and final touch with a steam iron, but in my impatience I went ahead and posted the photos knowing they aren't exactly the best. Can't help myself ! :-)

 

We are now down about 26 sheep from our original total this summer of 61.

While I feel I've culled, sold and parted with everyone I could afford to, we are still a bit on the heavy side as winter eases its way in.

 

As sorry as I am to see any leave as I love them all, I feel confident that those remaining are the beginning of a new core group that will advance the flock over time.

 

I've learned quite a few lessons from all of this selling of sheep.

 

1) Really, don't keep a ram longer than 2  years

 

2) Fiber being the priority for me, I see value in every sheep because it simply has wool. It is just as easy to have top quality sheep with excellent fleeces as it is to have lesser. Go for top quality.

 

3) Make up your mind from the beginning that sheep die, and be okay with orchestrating that when the time comes. As shepherds, we are both the midwives and the grim reaper when the need arises.

 

4) Because my role as shepherd is primarily one of care giver, it is understandably hard to STOP caring when the time comes to part with any animal. Be patient with yourself as you learn to do this.

 

At any rate, life moves on, things are good, hope abounds and we look to the future about five months from now, while we take the winter to hope, envision and expect new life in due course.

 

God is good!

Regards,

Kathryn

Premier Round Bale Feeder

Finnsheep Ewes

Now that summer pastures have gone dormant and snow is on the ground, we've started feeding hay.

We've been feeding a combination of round bales to the horses and square bales to the sheep because the square bales are small enough for me to handle without the need for equipment to move them.

While square bales are easier for me to handle, round bales are more economical. Our hay supplier does both so we have access according to what we want and need to feed.

In the past we have opted for round bales for the sheep, both with a traditional round bale feeder and just plopping them on the ground. Either way there seemed to be a good deal of waste as the sheep pulled out, trampled and laid down on the hay. Additionally, I found that hay in the wool was problematic too.

On the recommendation of a friend and fellow shepherd, this year we opted to try a round bale feeder from Premier Livestock supply in Iowa.

This feeder consists of square panels with square holes cut into them at two different heights. This allows both lambs and mature sheep access to the hay at the same time. The square panels are easily assembled and you can purchase as many as you think you need to make a small bale feeder or a large bale feeder.

Ours has been in place about four days now, and the difference was seen immediately. There is NO waste of hay with this feeder.  It is wonderful not to see the ground strewn with hay. The lambs can get to and reach the hay while the bigger ewes feed. This eliminates the tendency for someone to wait to eat, assuring that everyone is getting fed, not just the piggy ones.

The downside is that I cannot move the round bales myself but have to rely on D.H. Of itself this isn’t really a bad thing we just need to plan to move the new bale at a certain time.

The final downside is the shipping cost for the feeder. As far as I know the only way to get equipment from Premier is to have it shipped. This can be costly, but having considered this, I believe it is well worth the cost.

Check it out:

http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=99

 Regards,

Kathryn

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Blech!

7 a.m. and still dark-ish out, certainly overcast and snowing. I am not, not, NOT ready. Blech.

On todays' agenda, among many things, is making a final decision on who goes to the auction this week. I have mature rams, ram lambs and ewe lambs. If I'm to be honest and really harsh, there is even a mature ewe or two that should be on the trailer this trip.

BUT...ahem...flock goals, what about flock goals? Seems like lately I've lost track of what those were if I ever knew to begin with.

My first elementary goal was to have fleece. Any sheep would do, didn't matter breed, gender or even fleece quality in the beginning. I was so thrilled to have my own ovine I wasn't picky.

Then the reality of caring for a growing flock set in. I've always been athletic-ish, and strong, able - bodied but as time marches on I find myself slowing up just a bit and becoming a tad bit pickier ( is that a word? ) about the tasks I take on and under what circumstances.

Gradually I made the transition from a mixed flock to a purebred flock of Finns because they are just plain delightful and easy to work with. Easy to move, fun companionship, colorful fleeces and the cutest lambs in the world. No brainer.

Of course it doesn't take much to increase the flock. I brought in new breeding stock with the idea of selling some of the older animals, had 30 lambs, and assimilated animals from a friends' flock and here I am. Too many sheep for the resources.

They are all wonderful, each with its' own special quality that makes it somewhat of a consideration for keeping. No lamb left behind and all that.

If I were to revisit flock goals and look at simply growing wool, then 40 would be about right. Finn fleeces aren't overly large and as a weaver I use a lot of wool in my projects, so the more wool critters the better from that stand point. No need to breed any more unless I lose someone to sale or death.

The flock is predominantly white, with a few colored animals tossed in because we are just beginning to have a few generations that are displaying color. I like the white most especially for dyeing, but it sure is fun to look at all those colored sheep in the field too.

Then there are bloodlines. I'd like to establish three or four separate and distinct bloodlines to allow for greater diversity in breeding groups and of course that requires a few rams I wouldn't usually need.

I'm seriously considering not breeding this year, just to give myself a break, and this could be a viable plan but how sad to be lamb-less come the regeneration of Spring.  Sometimes I think lambs are the sole reason for having sheep. So much cuteness all in one package. Not to mention genetic potential for furthering the breed.

Well, frankly, my head hurts. And to be honest there are those moments where I think everyone should just go, and be done.

I have my original rams who've done a great job with the gene pool, have excellent fleece and I had hoped for them to retire and die of old age here.

I have some of their offspring, also rams, that for one reason or another I haven't gotten around to using yet, but someday....

I have ram lambs that are outstanding in confirmation , temperament and fleece with exactly the right bloodlines I need, I cannot bear to part with ...yet.

There are ewes that are the matriarchs and too good to let go, their daughters who are just getting warmed up, and their daughters who are too young to breed this year, but will give grand fleece in the spring.

Geeze, wish me luck!

Regards,
Kathryn

November 11, 2013 Veterns' Day

As a new shepherd one of the things I had to learn was how to care for the flock when things aren't quite right.

Keeping the flock healthy isn't very hard, but when an unusual medical situation crops up unexpectedly, you either handle it yourself, or call your vet.

There are two main reasons to reserve calling the vet, one is distance. Our livestock vet is an hour away, and since they schedule rounds for most days, they aren't  immediately available to drop what they are doing and drive an hour to my farm. This is a consideration before I pick up the phone.

The other is cost. A farm call is $75.00 and this just covers their coming on the property, no treatment. Weighing both of those things against the need is always a consideration.

In the early days of our shepherding, things went well for the most part. The first call for our vet was to draw blood on the sheep for Johnnes and OPP as a matter of routine. Though some people do this themselves and send to an independent lab, I'm squeamish and would rather the vet do it, quickly, efficiently and easily.

This initial visit allowed us to ask questions and meet the vet prior to any emergency that might arise later on. We didn't want our first contact to be a cold call.

Over time our relationship has grown to a point of trust and co-operation and I feel very strongly that our livestock vet truly has the best interest of the animal at heart.

We have an option for saving the on-farm call fee, by transporting the animal to the vets' office, and we've done this on several occasions. Each time it has been for a lamb, so transport was easy as was the office call. This is a good option.

We have also sought advice via phone call, and have requested certain medications via email, which have been mailed out without problems.

We can give injections, treat wounds, administer oral medications, cast limbs, handle some obstetric situations up to this point,  (God I'm not asking to be challenged here :-) ). Our vet has responded to my request for additional knowledge of certain illnesses with detailed emails on how to perform invasive procedures when there is no other option. Not the best solution but if it is that or death, I'd just as soon pull out all the stops and try to save my animal.

This past spring we had a case of what I believe was bloat in which, despite my efforts and a call to the vet, we lost the animal anyway.  Sometimes it happens and you remember that the other side of life is inevitable death for all of us someday.

The highest priority for an animal that is ill in our flock is to reduce the amount of suffering they may be experiencing. Sometimes this means death and its not easy when you have invested much in bringing the animal as far as it has already come.

All in all, for six years now, we've done okay in terms of emergencies and unforeseen complications, having cared for just about 80 sheep in this time period.

What I've learned is to stay humble, watchful and always ready to learn.

Regards,
Kathryn


In Memory of Mary ScholefieldFriend, fellow shepherd and teacher. You taught me so much!
Rest in peace dear friend.

January 19, 1960  - November 12, 2011

More Lambs for Sale

Available until November 13, 2013. We are happy to accept a deposit to hold your lamb, arrange for board until you can pick it up, and accept Paypal!



 

Flash
Demi FBA # 26536
Panda FBA # 24239
Flash is a piebald and carries for spotting. He is a triplet with excellent bloodlines and a soft, crimpy fleece.

Demi just prior to lambing triplets 2013

 

 

Flash at Five Months

 

 

 

 

Panda - Sire of Flash

 

More For Sale Lambs

Freddie FBA # 23715

Available until Wednesday, November 13, 2013. These lambs are well bred with fine fleeces. We can accept deposits to hold them and in the event that pick-up cannot be arranged for some time, we can also create a board agreement until pick up can be scheduled. We accept Paypal!


#30 Ewe lamb
Gwen FBA #26344
Freddie FBA # 23715

This lamb comes from a bloodline known for large, growthy lambs, strong maternalism, prolificacy and high quality fleece. Although she herself is white, she is likely to carry for both spotting and black, head/socks/tail markings.

 

 

Gwen FBA # 26344

With this years' litter of triplets including the ewe lamb above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Sale Until Wednesday, November 13, 2013

These are some of the lambs available for sale. I am happy to take deposits and also to arrange for board if the buyer cannot pick them up for some time, and....we accept Paypal!






Panda

Freda
Amelia FBA # 24203
Panda FBA # 24329
Contact for price and further info.


Freda is a quadruplet from a black dam and a black piebald sire.
She carries for spotting.
DOB - June 24, 2013

 

Frankie ( yes, he's peeing ) But it was suuuch a good shot! :-)

Frankie -ram lamb
Frankie is litter mate to Freda
Frankie displays both large spots and small Dalmatian ticking pattern

Amelia with 2013 litter


 

Choosing a Breeder

Wowza!

Cold and raw today.  Snow flurries. A good day for the wood stove. Winter is making its presence known.

Now is the time that most shepherds are putting their breeding groups together and this leads me to a discussion of Finnsheep breeders in general.

There are two organizations for Finnsheep here in the U.S.

The first and oldest of them is The Finnsheep Breeders Association:

www.finnsheep.org

There are 50 breeders listed throughout the 50 states. Fossil Creek Farm is NOT listed though we are indeed members.

Then there is the second Finnsheep breeders group. This group is newer and has a different focus than the first. We are listed in the breeders directory with IFR.

http://www.internationalfinnsheepregistry.org/

There are 40 breeders listed there and we are included in that directory.

Our farm, like many,  has dual memberships with both registries.

Since Finnsheep are a relatively little known breed in the US, with a small population of purebred, registered animals compared to other breeds, many of the breeders listed in either directory are newbies, such as myself.

Choosing a breeder to supply animals for your flock means that depending on your location and your budget you might choose to buy from a long standing experienced breeder or a knowledgeable, passionate but new breeder.

Registered Finnsheep breeding stock can range between $200.00 - $800.00 depending on the shepherd and the various qualities present in the sheep.

Almost all breeders, established and new, breed for the usual things.

• Confirmation ( breed standard )
• Fleece quality
• Temperament
• Maternal instinct
• Parasite resistance

Not necessarily in that order.

Some breeders focus on Scrapie resistance. Scrapie being a deadly disease that if detected will result in confiscation and euthanizing of a breeders entire flock. Scrapie is similar to "hoof and mouth " disease. For the most part, the USDA seems to think it much less of a threat than in previous years.  . Animals with an inherent resitance to Scrapie will have RR or QR blood types. These animals are usually at the higher end of the price scale and appeal to commercial flock shepherds.

All breeders start their flocks with bloodlines from an established flock. Through strategic pairings of various animals, new bloodlines are established, particular to that shepherd, but essentially the foundation animals have common ancestors in their lineages.

Some shepherds raise sheep as a commodity, others as a passion. Some for commercial purposes, others as fiber pets. Some for a livelihood, others for the shear joy of it.

What's important in selecting a breeder is that he/she knows and understands your flock goals and suggests animals that are suited to those goals as opposed to selling you an animal they no longer want.

Most flocks have a few culls - animals which for one reason or another do not fit the breeders criteria as breeding stock.

Different breeders manage culls differently. Some will keep them and breed them anyway which can often result in diminished quality of the flock in general. Others will neuter the rams and sell them as companions or fiber pets. Many go to auction and/or directly to the freezer which assures their genes will not eventually find their way into the pool and keeps the integrity of the breed intact. Its possible that a cull might appeal to a buyer if that buyer doesn't intend to breed, but use the animal strictly for fiber or meat.

Whether you are thinking of purchasing from an experienced and well established breeder, or a new and passionate breeder it pays to do your research before hand and be up front with your flock goals.

Talk with several breeders, visit the online breeder organizations and learn what the breed standard is, the organizations' mission is, and what your own goals for your flock are to be.

Your potential breeder should be willing to mentor you and your flock as you become established, via phone, emails and in person if feasible. This may or may not reflect in the cost of your foundation animals.

Membership to one or both of the breed organizations will be helpful. A point to consider here though is, the International Finnsheep Breeders Registry is not reciprocal with the Finnsheep Breeders Association. If you buy animals registered through IFR, they are in effect the same as unregistered as far as the FBA is concerned. So, if you choose IFR animals they will not be appealing to people who favor membership with FBA. At this time I do not believe dual registry is an option for IFR animals.

You can register FBA animals with IFR and achieve dual registry in that manner, but IFR animals are not registrable through FBA. This is a consideration and one which should be carefully weighed when you determine your flock goals.

Regards,
Kathryn

November 4, 2013

 Breeding season is upon us.

Finnsheep can breed all year long, but many people, myself included, prefer spring lambs, so breeding is timed for fall.  November breeding will bring April lambs. Depending on the year, maybe a bit late for Easter, but otherwise in time for the lush new grass and a good time for the lambs and ewes who are lactating.

A common practice with sheep is to "flush" them prior to breeding. This means they are offered the best possible nutrition in grain, supplements and hay that is available. The theory is that nature will recognize a well fed and well nourished animal and conditions will encourage multiple lambs because of it.

In some towns throughout the U.S and one on Long Island that I have first hand knowledge of, the name FLUSHING MEADOWS crops up, and even Queens has a borough known as FLUSHING, though the part about the meadow is absent, perhaps having been dropped over the years.

This refers to an area once designated for the purpose of putting animals out on pasture, flushing them with the nutrients available on the new grass. Who knew? And how interesting to envision Long Island and Queens as the once rural, agricultural areas we know them to have been.

Finnsheep however, are able to have litters of as many as 7 lambs at once, with litters of four and five fairly common. Due to this I personally do not flush the ewes prior to putting them with the ram.

Last year we had 30 lambs from 11 ewes. One singleton, two sets of twins, one set of quintuplets and one set of quadruplets, all the rest were triplets.

The single lamb was born to a first time dam.


Of the lambs offered for sale are two remaining ewe lambs that are from a quintuplet litter.

These lambs were sired by Ben. Caden is the dam.   Cadens' dam gave quadruplets this year. 

This was Cadens' second lambing, having produced twins last year. The lineage is one proven for large framed, prolific progeny with outstanding maternalism, hand spinning fleeces and docile temperaments. 

No flushing necessary!

Regards,
Kathryn

November 3, 2013

Cold and wet here today. Filled all my water receptacles last night so I wouldn't need the hose until the sun can warm it up later in the day.

The critters all seem to be content for the moment.

In an effort to consolidate groups and minimize space requirements I introduced the remaining ram lambs to the two remaining teen aged rams. This went very smoothly and everyone seems quite happy with the arrangement, so I am happy.

Reintroducing adult rams is NOT one of the necessary actions I enjoy, but I do it because I enjoy it far better than watching them back waaaayyyyyyy up and hit each other full force with an unforgettable crack as they connect. I cannot stand to watch it and even less to hear it, so when the time comes to introduce them again, we squeeze them into a tight, tight space for 24 hours or so, from which they emerge a bit more civil towards each other.

Except for the one time this summer when I had a band of rams roaming about free grazing the property. I took a risk and introduced two other rams to them and there was very little interest or posturing to my relief. Absolutely no head butting at all.
But this is breeding time and the boys know it so they are more inclined to show their dominance than they were in mid summer heat with nothing much going on.
For the time being, I'll have two ram groups.

I'm pleased to say that Dallas seems to have taken a liking to little Asa, though Cwen is still out on the subject, but that is okay.
Asa admires Dallas too but seems to be figuring out logistics.  I'm rooting for the little guy but Dallas is going to have to help him I think. Time will tell.

Yesterday was spent procuring materials to fortify the shelters. In a previous post I discussed hoop houses and completely forgot to mention we also use chain link dog kennels as kind of free - standing stalls.
These are enclosed with tarps to make them wind, snow and more or less water, proof. With a nice deep pile of straw frequently added to, everybody seems cozy enough for the winter, even though we don't use a conventional barn.

On another note, we still have some fine breeding stock available for sale.

Two teen aged rams - white - 18 months old

5 ram lambs - all colored - 5 months old

8 ewe lambs - 6 white, two colored - 5 months old.

They will be available until November 10, 2013.

After that we will begin taking deposits on 2014 lambs.


Regards,
Kathryn

November 2, 2013

Asa seems to be asking ...What?




 

Yesterday was a busy and fruitful day by anyones' standards.

Raining and windy in the morning I set about doing chores, but soon the rain gave way to blue sky and lifted everyones' spirits a bit.

The day started with worming and trimming hooves on two mature ewes, Dallas and Cwen who are to be bred to Asa, for their new owners.

Asa is a young ram that I purchased from Stillmeadow Finnsheep, to bring in some different bloodlines this year.

Unfortunately, the girls don't seem to appreciate his affections at all, and he is left wondering what to do next.
They don't let him come near, though every sign says they are warming up to him and will be best buddies soon enough.

We also said good-bye to two ewe lambs and a fine ram lamb, sending them home with their new shepherd who will add them to her flock for fiber and breeding stock.
We are thankful and happy to see these beautiful lambs go to a home that appreciates them, but also sad to see them go.


I wove off the Shaker Rug and will finish the roving rug today, just in time to warp for the saddle blanket due before Thanksgiving.

We still have four quality ram lambs available and 6 ewe lambs for anyone hoping to expand or start a flock of their own Finnsheep.
This is an excellent opportunity to acquire well bred progeny from strong lines, for a great price!

We are accepting deposits on 2014 lambs now as well.

The first picture below is the wool rug woven with rovings. Fun, soft and given to felting with time, this rug washes well and makes an excellent beside mat, bathroom mat or entry way rug.

The second rug is woven with wool yarn completely grown and processed here in Chenango County, N.Y.  This rug pattern is also available in different color combinations, and as a saddle blanket. The difference between a saddle blanket and rug, is the dimensions. Saddle blankets are square - 34 " x 34 " while rugs are rectangular - 24" x 36".

Today will be filled with more of those farm tasks that I truly enjoy as well as more weaving and God willing maybe even some spinning!

Regards,
Kathryn