Boys on their own!

My 3 yr old ram Einstein, 2 ram lambs Tundra and Butte are enjoying vacation. This morning I removed them from the flock. The rams are on a small pasture I was saving, tall grass and clover. They are busy munching, they don't mind being away from the ewes..Now that the ram has been removed, the ewes are going out to the far end of the pasture.. Before I was inciting them with a leafy branch to follow me out.......today I look out the window,,there the ewes are eating in the far end! great!  My 5 ewes and big ewe lamb Tulla.
I like to take pictures  so here you go
Jerry

A very green summer!

T

The flock two days ago in belly deep grass. With all the rain, its like a lush jungle! Everything is so green! Every time it rains I think of the farmers trying to make hay. I have a bit of 2nd cutting coming if my neighbors gets a chance to get it up!
We had strong winds, thunder that rattled the house and a 1/2 hour heavy rain with a bit of pea sized hail. Then the sun broke out!

A few pictures of the views we see from our yard. I tried to capture the rainbow..faintly show mid picture just above the trees.

 And lastly, one of our mighty oaks that stands guard in our yard.

Lilies are opening!

Enjoy the Lilies, Day and Asian, names like Strawberry Cream, Raspberry, Ruffled Lady
Here is a sampling, more varieties loaded with buds but not open yet
Jerry

 

New critter pics!

Introducing Belle a yearling Mioget. Belle is long wide and large. Belle's ram lamb Butte is large for his age, nice junior sire. I like my ewes on the bigger side, remember its a grade flock, so I have what I like. I chased the Registered Boer Goat rainbow, now I am just settling in with tame ewes that can raise a good lamb. The many colors and markings is a big bonus.

Third pic is of Yarrow, a four year old musket. She tends to stay darker than some muskets. After shearing, Yarrow went through the rise and was slick sheared a week ago. She is a long framed ewe that stands good on all four. In my editing and cropping I lost a new pic of Palisade. I got a good shot of the Silkie hen and her chicks.

So that's all for now


Jerry

They're home!!

We traveled to Hamburg, MN  Visited with Gail and her family, I looked over her sheep. Most are very tame and come up to you. All were exceptional Shetlands. I pointed to certain ones, got their name and history.  I chose Belle a moiget yearling and her modified moorit ram lamb. Belle is a large yearling as is her lamb, both with nice crimpy fleece.  I picked out Yarrow a musket, carrying spots. Yarrow is a big 4 yr old, raised a nice set of twins and is in good condition. She is out of BlueBell. Yarrow will come and lay her head in your lap.  The third choice was 6 yr old Palisade, a black carrying spots. Like her name Pal is a real pal, very tame and amiable.
We visited some, loaded up and headed for home. The sheep were comfortable in the pickup box with good air movement and a white painted roof on the box kept them cool.

We got home safe and sound. We unloaded them. Now I brag how big my Bella is, well Yarrow, Belle and Pal are bigger than she! I am very pleased with my new ewes. Pictures courtesy of Gail, Little Red Oak Shetlands.
Belle last fall at 7 months old.

 Palisade

Yarrow with one of her lambs

Very please with my new additions.  So the count is 5 ewes, 5 lambs and Einstein.

Oh on the way to Gail's we picked up the 10 Splash blue Silkie chicks (a week old) I managed to buy the Silkie momma hen too. They are resting in their new digs, a modified hutch (solid floor)

Till later


Jerry

A Few Sheep Pics,,,,,,,,and an adventure

LRO Bella's  ewe lamb Tulla. At 11 weeks old she is awesome! Good length fleece in fawn? She is an Ag moorit. Look at her face, beatuiful.  Her mom Bella is HST marked modified moorit. She is three and large, just what I like for my Hobby Shetlands. She has proven to be an excellent mother and milker. If you call her name she will come. if you have a treat for her, she will follow you anywhere! Bella is ready to wean her lambs.

 May arrived at my farm as an open ewe. She was bred late and has a nice set of crossbred market ram lambs.  Don't let her short legs fool you she is a work horse. When I am in the pen she will come over for her chin scratch. At 5 she still has years ahead of her!

 And the Champion of the flock, Einstein. Einstein originated from Bluff Country. Sired by black HST ram Windswept Zorro and a triplet out of Nancy's infamous Alice ewe. Alice has had 20 lambs in 8 lambings and raised them all! At nine Alice has all her teeth and raised big set of  triplets this year. Einstein is wide, long and wide. As he has aged and his testosterone, he has a bit of scadder on behind his head.  His fleece is soft, has good handle and good length.

 Have have impatiently waited for the calendar to turn to July. So its weaning time, and the ewes I have spoken for are ready to come home!
Pickup and box are ready to go. The box is 6 years old and has hauled a lot of goats and sheep. This Spring the box got a fresh coat of paint and some new bolts in places.  It has serviced us well.
Our old 98 Chevy truck is ready and able

The box is covered with air slots for passive air movement, fresh air without a draft. But if you look inside.......Its empty! Ah but tomorrow that will change! End boards will be in and if you look through the slots to the inside.....well let's just say my micro flock will grow! 

Till later


Jerry

Camera is Back! Baby chix, updates on Tamarisks

Wife Paula had the camera on her Idaho trip. Paula had a great time with her cousins. Today I took some pictures. The sheep are in the shade, maybe get some new sheep pics this afternoon.
Our Tamarisk bushes are 6 years old. Last Spring one almost died and we thought the other was headed gthe same way. I trimmed off all the dead branches-- my theory if the is a dead branch in the way it may hinder new growth--I don't know- just sounds good to me. Well one is back to 6 ft high the other is showing signs of life!
Today I got 55 baby pullet chicks in the mail from Ideal Hatchery. I have had good luck with their chcikens. True to type and very healthly. Most will be sold as layer pullets. There is 30 Buff Orpingtons and 25 Ameraucanas (green egg layers) If there is a couple very interesting colored Ameraucana pullets I will keep them for my layer flock. On Saturday we are travel to Litchfield (and points beyond) to pick up 10 Splash week old Silkie chicks.

They were hatched by Silkie hens so the picture I was sent has hens tending the chicks.  I have raised chickens since I was 7.....so OK.......48 years.  Still fond of them! The striped one is one of two barnyard bantams that hatched,,,,,we  can have them for free.


Till Later


Jerry