Category: Sheep
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Federal Flock Inspection and Vaccinations
Yesterday was the yearly Federal flock inspection. We are in the Scrapie Flock Certification program and are certified Scrapie Free. One of the things we have to do is have our flock inspected once per year. The inspector comes out and we run every single sheep through. He checks ear tag numbers against inventory. I Continue reading
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Shearing Day
Saturday was our sheep shearing day. On Friday, we picked up Eifion – that was the good news. The bad news is that his shearing equipment in his luggage wasn’t on the same plane as he was. He tried to shear the first flick with my Lister shears and got it done, but it was Continue reading
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Getting Ready to Shear the Sheep
This weekend is the big sheep shearing day. On Saturday, all the sheep will get shorn, and I’ll have a bunch of new wool to skirt and prepare for sale. We’d hoped the shop would be done so the wool could go upstairs, but it’s not. I’ll be storing the boxes of wool under the Continue reading
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Snow, Snow, and More Snow!
The snow just keeps on coming! The driveway was still covered in snow after Ken plowed it for hours! We’ve got a good two feet or more on the flats, a lot more in drifts, and even the main hay barn has snow where the wind has blown it in. It’s been cold, so the Continue reading
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More Construction and Farm News
Construction is proceeding at a rapid pace. The rest of the windows and doors were installed today. The stairs were also roughed in, and we can easily get up and down to appreciate the views from the second floor. I definitely prefer going up the stairs in comparison to the ladder! The siding’s been delivered, Continue reading
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Winter Again
It’s winter again. Our January thaw has officially ended. We got between eight and ten inches of snow last night! Today is the day to put the backup rams in with the ewes. So, Ken had to shovel a path to open the ram pen gate. I was able to catch both boys fairly easily, Continue reading
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January Thaw
The big storm predicted for western Colorado has, so far, only sent us rain. It’s created a huge mess. Right now it’s raining over the frozen ground, and once it does cool off and freeze, the driveways are going to be one solid sheet of ice. The worst part is that the snow pack is Continue reading
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Sheep Sorting and Dewormer
Yesterday, we got all the ewes sorted into their secondary breeding groups. We also got their fall/winter worming done. We have to deworm with ivermectin drench after a hard freeze to kill the nose bots that infest the sheep. Well, we had a cold snap, then warm weather, and there was a hatch of flies, Continue reading
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White Christmas
It’s Christmas day, and we’ve got a white Christmas for sure. The little rams are enjoying the snow. We also got a visit from the Christmas turkeys. They are a lot bigger than when we saw them last. Winnie and Becky are doing well guarding the perimeter of the pens. Continue reading
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The Solstice Invasion
It’s not quite the solstice, but the celebration will last at least until then. All 11 new rams – three adults and eight ram lambs – are now legally landed citizens of Canada. They cleared the border at 6 PM and are now on their way to their temporary quarters before disbursing to their new Continue reading