Put my big girl pants on

I decided it was time to vaccinate and worm the sheep. Now, in the past I have helped (the jabber) while someone holds. I didn't have any help handy, and this week was going to be too busy to try and fit it in later.

When I got to the farm, I drew up the syringes, and went to the barn and loaded up the first measure of wormer. I decided to do the big Border Leicesters first. They know the drill. They are large, but fall nice and gently when I "ask" them. None of them have any evidence of any bags. Zippo. Nada. Nothing. One of them was bred at the end of November, so we won't consider her, but the other two? Who knows. I do know that they don't look preggers, either by belly or by bag.

Then I did the Cheviot ewes. They are nice girls. Yes, a bit jumpier, but once in my calm hands, they seem to trust me. Three of the four have some bag development- not milk, but pinker and fuller. I meant to mark the ones who looked that way, but I forgot. The fourth one, who knows, maybe she was bred later, or maybe not at all.

Then, I did the three ewe lambs. OH GOOD LORD. They were nuts. They jumped in the air and stayed there. When I had them on their hiney's they struck out with their front feet. The last one, I had to lay on her side to vaccinate her. Good Lord. Coyotes would not have an easy time with these girls!

When I was done, I was huffing and puffing. Just plain exhausted. It was those last three lambs. But, the job was done. I have to vaccinate the lambs again in three weeks, but I will be prepared (mentally).

John is up to five lambs, one set of twins. I think there are three rams and two ewes. The twins are both rams.

Joe is doing well. He can now navigate the deck stairs with impunity. Tomorrow he turns twelve weeks. Seems like I have had him longer than that.... Aren't pups fun?

That's the update for now.

Yesterday I washed all my curtains/cafes, and the inside of the windows. Yet another project done. I HAVE to get rid of the carpet, the dust is out of control. It was so nice I even had the windows open for a bit. At the farm yesterday, I wore just a sweatshirt and jeans. This has been some winter so far. I am very grateful for that. This weekend, the plans are to vacuum out my car, set up a crate for Joe pup, and then head up to the farm and maybe do some maintenance there. Tomorrow, the plan is to work dogs with E.

I got a call my from my friend/sheep guru last night, and she said "have they started bagging up yet?" and that sort of drove it home for me. My response was something like "I hope not, they have a month to go!" I hope that everything goes as smooth as silk. I have experience calving, foaling, and even handling rodent births, but not lambs. I *really* hope one of the Border Leicesters are pregnant, because I would like to keep whatever I get from this cross with the Cheviot ram...

Well, just got a phone call and have to start the day, so everyone, have a good one!

No new lambs at John's yesterday. This year is like last; a few early birds and then a ton in March. Only thing is, is that the third week of October we pulled the old ram and put the new ram lamb in. This may be a very extended season.

Yesterday, I brought Lucy, Dan, and Joe to the vet for their spring and puppy shots. Joe was very good. Although I can't believe that the weight they got (on the table scale) is right. The assistant said it was 19.6 lbs...????? I may re-weigh him at some point because there is no way he feels near 20 lbs. Or, maybe my arms are just getting buff ;) Anyway, he was very sweet and loving, and everyone loved him. Puppies do that. Dan was excellent- giving kisses to the vet. He's got one of the best temperaments I have seen in a BC. He weighed out at 36.3 lbs, and vet noted he was "a little" underweight. Lucy weighed in at 33 lbs. She's fit as a fiddle, and EVERYONE LOVES LUCY. The blog name is so apropos. That was the majority of our day.

I made chocolate chip cookies later, and had them and some milk for dinner. MMMM. When I went to bring Joe out for his last constitutional, I was stupid and did not put my shoes on right. I ended up falling down the deck stairs. I was in my bring pink chenille robe and just before I landed, I tossed the pup out of my way. He was fine, but I rolled my right foot and am just generally sore. STUPID me. I won't do that again. We don't land so softly as we age. Joe didn't skip a beat.

So glad today is Friday. I need a weekend. Don't know really why, but I would love to get out of town.... No plans, except to work Dan, much to his elation!

Week is rolling on. So far, Joe continues to dominate my time. It's tough getting schedules set, and let me tell you, as he ages, he is definitely getting more endurance. He goes with us to the farm every day, and we walk two laps- he gets carried for some of it. I am also now tying him up to the fence when I take care of the sheep- more stimulation = better sleeping at night, is how I look at it.

I have gotten back into the swing of tackling one project/job a day at home. Yesterday I took back a cabinet I had used for house repairs/fixing supplies, and moved all that stuff into my storage room. I will continue doing that and chucking more stuff. I want to tackle all the closets.

On the livestock front- got most of my supplies in for the lambing, if it happens. I still want to get a lamb saver kit, so I can be ready for that. Colostrum too. I plan to vaccinate everyone the first week of March. They are now up to 8 lbs of food, and by the end of the week it will be 9 lbs.

I worked Dan yesterday, and what I did was very good for him- I kept the lambs in an area where there was strong pressure to the barn, and there was sufficient room for them to make it if he was too far off, and then, if he covered them on the way to the barn, they would squirt off in the other direction, and he had to be way more careful. It really shaped him up. We also did little flanks on driving and more precise work. He was very happy to work. Joe watched, and he also chewed on a stick.

John had a little ewe lamb the other day. She looks good. Mother is probably a two year old. Pretty ewe.

This weekend, I would love to go work Dan at E's place, but I doubt I can because I don't want to mess up the feeding schedule of the sheep.... Maybe if I show my sister...........

Well, that's it for now!

Let's see... John had a lamb born the other day. When I got there he told me it was probably dead. He could not get the mother in the barn yard. He tried several times to herd the flock into the barn yard but they would not go. When I got there, I see that the lamb is not only alive, but walking with mother. Mother who still wanted to be with the flock. He picked up the lamb and and the mother was really torn. Finally, she chose the flock. Bad momma! The flock had left for the hill pasture and I got Lucy. She's my go to dog. I sent her for them, and she made a beautiful outrun, got to the sweet spot, and they all turned to face her. She gave me a little look and I told her good girl. Then she turned them. See, these sheep have really injured dogs. They do not trust dogs and fight if any are close- and they tag team. Lucy has been on the receiving end of this. Anyway, she got them coming toward me and before I knew it, they were trying to make a quick turn back up into an alcove in the pasture. Lucy knew it though, and she caught them and brought them. I then put Lucy up and we played the two step with mom ewe to get her to go with baby into the barn. Finally, we got her in there, and I left.

The next day I arrive and John tells me that the lamb died. He was very tiny, and maybe the heat lamp warming was too little too late...As I am feeding the sheep I see a dead lamb under the mineral feeder. I ask John if it was the first lamb. It was not. This one was HUGE and had it's intestines, bladder and liver all emanating from it's ventral mid line. Great. What a bummer. Nice lamb. I wonder if he was born that way....

So, every day now I will stop by John's and help out. The ram lamb did not go in until later in October, so we will have a long lambing time (these early lambs are from his older ram).

I got most of my lambing supplies and feel like I am sort of ready. My friend offered to take on any bottle lambs I may have. YES!

Everything else is quiet. I have been walking 2 laps lately, and it is great for the dogs and me. Joey, or Joe, yes, that's his name, loves the walks and I do carry him for part of each lap, as he is still so young. Last night was a red letter night-he stayed in his crate from 11:00 to 5:00. YES! This is my goal, and then to move up the early time a bit by bit.

Really cold today, so holding off on going to the farm just yet. Maybe leave here in an hour...

Well, that's it for now!