Desert Weyr Blog
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New AI Lambs!
The first of our USDA experiment lambs has arrived. It’s a nice ram lamb. We have 3 experimental ewes to go. All of them should lamb within the next two to three days if all goes well. Continue reading
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Clearing Brush, Fixing Rock Walls, and More Rock Work
We started April with nice weather, and after repairing the tractor hydraulics, Ken was able to start on some work. We cleared brush from the rock wall and repaired damage done by trees and country road maintenance. Meanwhile, David and Ryan, AKA Dai & Jammy, continue working on the Little House foundation. Continue reading
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Shearing and Rock Work
We started shearing the flock at the end of March. The weather has been sunny, but surprisingly cold and windy. We’re also getting the rock put on the Little House foundation. At least on those days, it’s warm enough for the mortar to be mixed. Continue reading
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New Livestock Guardian Puppy
We got another LGD puppy in January. She’s an Akbash by the name of Teasel. She’s been growing fast, and she’s already a teenage dog. March continues to be dry. We’re scheduled to shear the sheep later this month, so it’ll probably start snowing or raining by then. Continue reading
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Bare Ground
It looks like the drought is continuing. We have bare ground outside now, and we’re below average for snow-water equivalent. Our tests last summer with extremely intensive sheep grazing helped us keep the sheep on pasture for longer than expected. Given the state of the reservoir this year, we’ll likely be doing the same again.… Continue reading
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Rams in Winter
It’s winter in western Colorado. We have some snow, but not nearly enough yet. It was enough to cover the solar panels, though. The adult rams are doing well, and Becky the guard dog is on duty. Continue reading
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We’re Baaack!
The Desert Weyr farm blog is back in business! After over a year off, I’m ready to start blogging about the farm again. I’m hoping to write updates roughly once per month. Continue reading
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Feeding Bo and Peep
We’re hosting culinary students again. They’ve all enjoyed watching our two bottle lambs, Bo and Peep, being fed. Continue reading
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Yoda’s Lambs
Desert Weyr Yoda is one of our pet wethers. He’s usually fat enough that he looks like he’s ready to lamb! In this case, as Ken was checking the sheep, he noticed that Yoda had managed to snag a set of twins to care for. Their mom, Desert Weyr Briallen, seems glad to have an… Continue reading
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Lambing Is Over
Our 2011 lambing season is over. We got 58 nice lambs, but also had way too many open ewes. Desert Weyr Logan will be the guest of honor at Revolution Brewing later this year in the form of smoked kolbassi sausages. He didn’t get a single one of his ewes pregnant. The other ewes will… Continue reading