20 Hours Later

I checked on the lambs and Amelia off and on all day, and they seemed fine.

The weather forecast was for rain, so I made sure that the shelter was fortified, and around 7 p.m. gave one last check and headed in for the night.

Within a half hour a hellacious downpour complete with high winds hit and wreaked havoc for about 15 minutes. It was the closest thing to a tornado I've seen, and I was glad to see it pass.

I can attest to the fact that here on our little mountain, the weather is turbulent to say the least. I've seen drops in temperatures as much as 50 degrees in 12 hours or less, as well as rises of the same amount, snow, ice, sun, wind,hail, freezing rain, calm,sun and snow again all in a matter of an hour, and then the cycle repeated itself. I would not be the least surprised to see snow in July here one day.

This morning's feed/water/ check-in revealed three wide awake and active lambs, and their dam seemed to be fine as well. Momentarily. I thought about letting them out but the ground is wet and rain is immanent and I didn't want to risk it just yet. They are cozy and dry so I'll leave well enough alone for the time being.

Sadly, tonight the temps will drop to 20 or lower and snow is on the menu. I'm debating lamb coats as the temps won't go about 35 during the day and will stay low for the next three nights before climbing up again.
Currently I'm leaning away from the coats for a variety of reasons but we'll see as the day unfolds .

The next ewe due to lamb is Caden on the 21st. She also looks like triplets this year and I hope to shear her before the blessed event. Demi will be close on her heels, followed by the others in succession over a period of weeks.

As much as I love lambs, lambing can be exhausting.

More pics this evening.

Regards,
Kathryn

Amelia - Holding

Amelia is enjoying the milder temperatures, her new space and the company of her companion, Lana.

She gets rations twice a day of whole corn/ soy meal / minerals and some choice second cut hay to provide the nutrients both she and the lambs need.

Plenty of water and fresh air are also available and she rests or moves about as she feels inclined.

She is in good health and fine spirits, with a hefty appetite.

Positioned in a small area behind the house it is ideal for me to keep a regular watch for any signs of deviation from the regular behavior. As I go about the chores of housekeeping, weaving, and fiber business, I can look up and quickly get a visual on her. This all but ensures I will know when she is in labor and be present as the lambs are born.

Unless she decides to have them in the middle of the night. Not to jinx myself, but she has had all of her lambs so far, during the daytime, and so hopefully this will be no different.

Can't wait, can't wait!!!   Its like Christmas, birthday, Valentines Day and Anniversary all rolled into one.  Woo Hoo......hope the weather holds :-).

Regards,
Kathryn

5 Days - The lambing supplies

Amelia in 2012 with the second lamb of triplets. This one is a piebald ewe lamb, which is still with the flock and due herself in a few weeks.

While the ewes usually have the lambs without any help from me, I have a fairly well - stocked lambing kit.

First and foremost on the list are towels for drying off the lambs. The dam starts licking the newborn right away and while you might not think it, this dries the new baby off fairly quickly. But if she has three or four, she cannot keep up with the demand and here is where I come in. Towelling the lamb off vigorously helps to stimulate as well as dry it, and I feel better about the possibility of hypothermia being prevented.

The umbilical cord is severed as the new lamb hits the ground and the air causes it to begin to dry, but it tends to be a bit unsightly and messy, so I hasten the drying process by spraying Blue Kote on it. The usual procedure is to apply some sort of iodine product, but for me, Blue Kote is easy to carry, easy to handle and aside from not being able to narrow down the spray entirely to the umbilical cord, it works for me and is a staple in the kit. So for a day or two myself and the new lambs sport a little extra blue staining....no biggey.

The lambs, once cleaned get up and start trying to find the teat for that vital first nursing. Like with people, the cholostrom is the key to the early lamb survival. Full of nutrients and fat that help energize and immunize the new lamb, this first nursing is the most frustrating aspect of watching the new lambs. Their direction isn't so good, though their instincts are outstanding, so they wobble around, and get disoriented, often coming close to the life giving teat, but missing by fractions of an inch. Any attempt to guide the lamb usually ends up causing the lamb to have the opposite reaction, which is yet more frustration. For the most part, I go away for a half hour or so while the lambs and dam sort this all out and usually come back to find everyone acclimated and doing just fine. If not, then the consideration of a bottle comes up.

Then there is the passage of the placenta and making sure there aren't anymore lambs. This is fairly obvious, though sometimes you can be fooled. I've spoken with shepherds who have had the same ewe lamb twice over a period of days. First producing twins and several days later twins again. Luckily, things worked out, but basically anything is possible so its' best to be observant.

While I try to be present for every lambing, some of the ewes don't want me around and will have the lambs after I've gone in for the night or in the very wee hours of the morning. This has the effect of disappointing me and relieving me at the same time. Its fun to go out early in the morning and discover newly born lambs, clean, nursing well and being attended by their dam. Its' disappointing because I didn't get to witness first hand as each made their way into the world.  But, I can live with that.

Those ewes who are a bit stand-offish during the rest of the year, seem to understand that I am there to be of help and they relax allowing me to move about and intervene if necessary. In the past I've hoped it would be a life-long bonding moment that would forever change our relationship and the ewe would look at me with new eyes, as a friend. Not so much. They tend to revert after they sense all is well, and then sometimes try to stay between me and the lambs. Often the lambs themselves are friendly and curious though and that is a good character trait in a Finn.

Lambing kit:
Towels - check
Blue Kote - check
Scissors - check
Lamb snare- check
Esophygeal tube - check
Camera - check
Latex Gloves - check
Lubricating oil - check
Bottles - check
Lamb formula - check

Regards,
Kathryn

January 31, 2014

Corrigan - one of our 2014 sires

Wow, 1/12 of 2014 gone already! 


What is left isn't so bad....really.

February which is a "short" month ( I am so heartened by this! ) and then we are into March.

So, only four weeks until we begin the upside of the year with visions of warmth, lush new growth and lambs. I can handle that.

Caden - bred ewe for sale

 

We are still holding our own and the flock seems well despite the prolonged brutal cold. I'm thankful they are woolly creatures with enough protection from the cold and wind to be okay during these spells. Currently we are in a warm spell, with the daytime high being 20 and nighttime being around 10. Way better than the -20 night time temps we were having. And thankfully its a dry cold which makes even the brutal -degree temps bearable.

Oddly this winter we have two occurrences that remind me of Spring. One is a healthy flock of Blue Jays. The make a noise that I have associated with Spring since I was very young and due to their presence this winter, I  am constantly within earshot of their familiar song. Warmer days are coming!

The other is more sunshine than usual for this time of year. Not so much snowfall, and so the skies are clear and bright blue which is uplifting and greatly appreciated. Combined, both things help to keep me from falling into that winter time, cabin fever, blah mood.

I am impressed each year that the ewes are able to sustain themselves, grow beautiful wool and produce lambs even through these harsh conditions, and solely on a grass/hay based diet. They are well designed to do what they do, and the Finnsheep bring personality, affection and entertainment to the mix as well.

This year's lambing season has me a bit cautious with 21 ewes bred, the most I've had in my shepherding career. Six of these will be first timers. With that many ewes due to lamb, its quite possible that someone in the flock will have sextuplets or even septuplets and I expect the usual triplets which are fairly standard.

Last year, 11 bred ewes gave me 30 live lambs, so I would expect to have ....gulp...between 50 and 60 this year! I also don't have any plans to leave the property for about three months! 

First lambs of 2014 are due on April 15, which means I usually start getting excited about two weeks before and start trying to guess how many lambs the ewe will have. I have only 8 weeks until April 1. By then, maple sugaring time will have come and gone, and there should be definite signs of warmer, greener surroundings!

And of course there will be shearing time, with this year giving me 31 Finn fleeces to remove, skirt, pick and generally enjoy! Wool is the reason for having these beasties after all. At least it was the original reason. Now I just enjoy them on every level!

So, taking this all into account, my time for weaving and spinning with any regularity will be short now. So, I'm signing off to get as much textile production done as I can over the remaining few weeks of winter. 

Regards,
Kathryn

 

January 22, 2014 There are days..........

Horse Drawn Mower Waiting for Spring

There are days in the life of a shepherd that are beyond glorious, when all is well with the world and you know that God is in control.

Then there are the other days.

Don't get me wrong, nothing catastrophic has happened, no lost livestock or any unexpected problems to deal with. The flock is well even though the temp this morning was -13, and we are well.

It is just that in the middle of these long, dark, cold, overcast weeks of winter, I find myself slowly feeling discouraged.

I like winter as a rule, as long as I know the critters are handling it well, I don't mind the twice a day feeding/ checking up on animals and chores, and surprisingly I've come to realize that without those forced outings in all weather, I'd have missed some pretty amazing sights, sounds and moments that you cannot recapture.

Often, looking outside from the warmth of the cottage, its easy to dread stepping out, but most of the time I find once I am outside that it really is quite nice and end up staying outside doing more than I had originally intended because of it.

What I've observed personally is that the doldrums of winter are relieved not by warmer temps or less snow, but simply by sunshine. My spirits are enlivened again and my energy renewed by sunshine.

I don't miss the heat of summer, in fact I dread that more than the cold because it is impossible to escape it and the bulk of the work has to be done at this time. But the sunshine is always a welcome sight coming over the treetops lighting up the day.

The good news is, January will be behind us in 9 days. February in 28 after that. Then comes March and no matter what wacky weather it holds, I know we're on the upswing and the days will get longer, the sun will shine more, and eventually the greenery will return along with bouncing lambs, freshly shorn fleeces and all the warmth I can stand!

So for now, I occupy myself with spinning, weaving, making herbal salves and creams, shoveling and staying warm along with the usual routine chores.

And daydreaming - 83 more days until lambs!

Regards,
Kathryn

 

January 11, 2014

We've come through the Arctic blast without incident, and now we're braving the ice covered frozen ground saturated with rain. The warnings now are for flooding due to the rain and melting snow.
Mere walking outside is life threatening without proper foot gear, and driving all the more so.

Oddly there have been moments when it feels much like early spring and I think for an instant that it is time to tap trees for sugaring and lambs aren't far off. Then I realize we have another 15 weeks or so of winter and ponder what lies ahead.

Breeding has ceased and the ewes have been paired with three rams this year. A white ram, who carries for color and spotting, a brown ram and a piebald. I am, as ever, excited at the prospects.

The expectation is for at least 40 lambs and closer to 50, so I've made the decision that all ram lambs will be sold to the meat market, unless I have a buyer. While difficult, the revenue will allow for maintaining the fiber and breeding stock.

We are now excepting deposits for reservations on lambs, and also on fleeces. This year there will be 31 fleeces from a variety of different colored sheep, white being predominant and excellent for dyeing.

I'm happy to answer questions and speak with shepherds or potential shepherds regarding the flock and lamb purchases. Feel free to ask.

Also happy to accept deposits on 2014 fleeces as well, contact me for pictures and details.

Regards,
Kathryn

December 11, 2013

Bygone Days

December 11, 2013 here.

Snow on the ground, cold temps, clear air and weather that changes moment to moment no kidding.

The sheep are all settled in their winter enclosures.
Breeding has begun and indeed, is almost completed.

Spring 2014 will see new lambs again and I will be midwife to the ewes, a role I don't mind because it almost invariably has me playing a supporting part, one which allows me to simply watch.

Lambing time is stressful to say the least, much of which I bring on myself, admittedly since I can't stand the excitement of waiting for the lambs and feel I have to check on the ewes hourly. This ritual starts a good two weeks before I know they are due in the hope that I can stare the ewes into labor somehow. To date, no such luck!

There is little else that compares with seeing a long awaited and hoped for lamb, newly out of the
wrapper ( ewe ) shocked into this world and valiantly struggling to breathe, stand and nurse. Those first few moments and hours are tense for me and each year I vow not to put myself through it again, only to anticipate the next breeding season as soon as the current one has seen the last new lamb to be born for the year.

Now, winter is the time for weaving, spinning and gearing up for Spring. Around here this is often a phenomenon we have come to term " mud season".  Rather than a nice gradual warming up and flourishing of plants and creatures, we have snow which melts all at once causing flooding and making the ground obnoxiously muddy. This gives way to "April Showers" and our Spring is curtailed due to rain, mud and sometimes ice that makes the idea of starting spring farm chores a joke. Yet, we somehow survive and get things done anyway, and have come to anticipate this cycle.

So for now, I'll skirt fleeces, spin fiber and weave up as much as I can get done because its only 126 days until the first lambs are due! But...........who's counting?

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.










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