It's been a while since I posted anything about my little crop of lambs. And tomorrow is auction day so I will be bidding farewell to my 2013 bummers. It's always a bitter-sweet experience for me! I spend so much time on/with them that when they are gone it feels like something is missing, yet I don't have to chase them anymore! I was beginning to refer to myself as "Little Bo Peep" this summer because it always seemed like I was loosing my sheep! My gracious neighbor lets me feed off his 4th crop of hay and that really helps me get my lambs up to goal weight without buying expensive feed. But the fences are not great for sheep so it seems I am always chasing them back where they are supposed to be! You've heard "the grass is always greener on the other side?!" Well that is certainly true for a sheep! Even when their pasture is greener and has more feed, if they can...they will! Let's just say I have gotten my exercise this summer herding them back in. There is a reason big herds have a full time sheep herder. Otherwise they would disappear!!I have a few reasons for raising these lambs, first is that it gives my children good agricultural experiences. The next is that it makes this stay at home mommy some money. Tomorrow is my long awaited pay day! I may not have put a lot of money into this investment, but I've sure put my time, energy and sacrifice. And the last is I'm just crazy and I guess that it's in my blood! I love sheep and the ag heritage which is mine.
Here is a re-cap of this year's orphan lamb raising experience:
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| A ride home from the ranch in the "lambulance" (otherwise known as the "nice truck") |
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| This is the most crucial and time consuming period, getting them all to drink from the bottle and want to live. Yes..this is also my garage! I set up temporary pallet cubies in here so they stay warm and are close for those late night feedings. |
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| My kiddos love to help with the bottle feedings. And it's so good for them to learn responsibility because if you miss or forget just one feeding on these babies, they will not survive! |
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| Nice Nipples!! Me just being silly! |
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| Come on baby you can do it! Take a drink! |
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| Oh happy day! First day out in the pasture! |
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| Good thing I'm not claustrophobic! Oh wait...I am! AHHH!! You guys are freaking me out man!! |
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| Come follow me. It's getting chilly outside. Going back into their barn (aka my garage) for the night. |
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| Time to put weight on in the alfalfa pasture. |
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| Little Stinkers, escaped again! But it gives the kids good herding experience and gives them some more responsibility. There were days I needed to do something else, but I could give my 8 year old the charge of keeping track of the sheep. Many times she got them back in without my help. |
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| And they are back where they started! Off to the auction tomorrow. |
