Archive for the ‘Farm’ Category

Flashes of Orange and Gold

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Just over a year ago I wrote about my experience of spotting Cardinal Flowers in bloom in the Cedar/Ash wetlands that border the western edge of our largest hay field. I had noticed the stunning red “flags” in the woods as I finished baling our second cutting of hay. This year there are none to be found. However, I was still to be visually rewarded as I cut the outside rounds of hay for the second time. Due to the super-abundance of rain the hay has grown very well, but I had been limited by the rain as to when I could start cutting the hay. One of the results of the delay is that the alfalfa was in full bloom. Nutritionally it means that the hay is past its peak as food for the sheep. Yet it also means that the blossoms’ nectar is a nutritional treat for butterflies.

This year seems to have been either feast or famine for the native butterflies. Swallowtails of any sort have been few in number. We usually plant extra parsley and dill as food for their caterpillars. The only thing that has touched the parsley all summer was a young cottontail rabbit, who quickly reminded me to set up the little electric fence that surrounds the garden.

Red Admiral on Goldenrod

Red Admiral on Goldenrod

On the other hand, the Red Admirals have done splendidly. In early summer it was difficult to find any stinging nettle that was not nearly defoliated by masses of their caterpillars. The adults have been with us through out the summer. The Variegated Fritillaries have also done well of late.

Variegated Fritillary on Alfalfa blossoms

Variegated Fritillary on Alfalfa blossoms

However, the most spectacular perform of the summer has to go to the Monarchs. They were noticeable by their earlier than normal arrival this spring. The Milkweed (the primary host for their larva) also thrived. It was difficult to not find a Milkweed without at least one caterpillar.

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I was not, however, expecting the explosion of adult Monarchs that I witnessed over the last week. As I cut the alfalfa this last week I was accompanied by a multitude of Monarchs feeding on the blossoms. The western edge of the hay field is bordered by a narrow strip of Goldenrod up against the Ash woodlands. As I drove by with the tractor I would disturb clouds of Monarchs who were on the Goldenrod blossoms. After I finished with the cutting I took a walk along the edge of both the uncut hay and the Goldenrod strip just to watch the show.

I began to count the Monarchs. There was at least one butterfly (and often many more) for every pace I took along the Goldenrod. The strip of Goldenrod is only about 6 to 10 feet wide, but it runs almost a quarter mile. Simple mathematics produced at least 400 Monarchs in that narrow golden patch! monarc-3

Turning 180 degrees toward the nearly 35 acres of blooming alfalfa, produced equally astounding numbers. In the 27 years that we have owned the farm I have never seen such breathtaking numbers of Monarchs. They have remained with us for the last few days. It is as if they are stocking up on nutrition in preparation for their flight to the mountains of Mexico. The prevailing winds have been out of the south and have been strong enough to limit any successful butterfly flight in that direction. I keep expecting that when the winds die down or switch to the north that they will all be gone. In the meantime it is such a wonderful, visual treat to have thousands of the orange and black butterflies as part of the farm.

At least six Monarchs in a small space!

At least six Monarchs in a small space!

When they do leave we wish them a safe journey and look forward to their return next spring.

monarc-1

Sloggin’ through the Summer

Sunday, August 8th, 2010

It seems that some folks are wondering if we are still here. Rest assured, we are still alive and kicking, albeit with a little more sweat on our brows than normal! It has been an “interesting” summer to say the least. A spring that threatened to be extra dry has transformed into a wet and warm summer. Rain has been a regular occurrence throughout June and July. With it has been a steady stream of warmer than usual temperatures. At least the sunflowers seem happy!

sunflower-1From a farming standpoint, the warmth and moisture has presented us with the ultimate challenge of trying to cut and bale quality hay for the sheep for this winter. We have only miss-guessed once and had  newly cut hay heavily rained on. Luckily it was not too much hay. Nonetheless it baled into about 65 bales of nutritionless bedding instead of lush, green hay. We usually need three straight days of dry weather to get the hay cut, cured and baled (although we have managed a few successful two day “windows”). Our greatest problem has been getting Mother Nature to allow us those three straight days with any frequency. We have been cautious and have not had the cut hay rained on too much, but our caution has slowed the entire process down excessively. Some of our caution has also been based upon the fields often being too wet to support our tractors and equipment without leaving significant ruts across the field.

The sheep have had their own challenges with the hay. Their problem has been having too much to eat. The pastures that they grazed just a few days previously begin to regenerate rapidly. As a result, by the time they return to the same pasture it is once again deep, green and lush. This picture perhaps summarizes our “plight”.grazing-augThe sheep are belly-deep in lush green pasture while just beyond the fence are some of our hay wagons partially full of hay in the main hay field with yet more hay to be cut.

The wet conditions have at least allowed us some time to wander at bit. The water in this picture is not one of the larger puddles in one of the hay fields. It is, however, quite close to us, just down the road a mile or two. It is Lake Michigan, along one of the rockier portions of the shoreline in Whitefish Dunes State Park, our next door neighbor.whitefish-dunesInland in the woods, just a few feet from the shoreline is further testimony to how damp it has been. Everywhere seems to be mushroom heaven.mushrooms-augIf we cannot be outside working at least there things to be done with wool. Gretchen’s naturally hand-dyed yarn does eventually find its way into finished products. The warp of the nearly complete shawl is a mix of natural white and gray yarn dyed with mullein leaves, buckthorn berries, and eucalyptus leaves. The weft is undyed white. Of course, it is a given that all the yarn is made from the wool of our sheep.

weaving-shawlWe continue to slog onward. Perhaps when I get around to returning to the Ewe Turn we may even be done with haying!

It’s Raining!

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

So much has changed here in the last three weeks. The bulk of the changes are attributable to the rain that we have been receiving. If one looks closely at the image in the previous posting, which showed one of the crab apples in bloom at the end of May, it is possible to see that the grass was starting to turn brown. By the first week of June we were starting to fear the possibility of a drought. Any such concerns have been washed away by repeated rains, some quite heavy. We have recorded ten days of the first 26 in June in which we have received measurable rain. The pastures are lush, green and growing faster than the sheep can graze them. In her picture, Trudi has volunteered to show just how deep the grass and clover is in the “Orchard” pasture.

Trudi

Trudi

Sometimes it seems that the sheep are as amazed as we are with the way things are growing. The look on Trudi’s face seems to at least express that notion. In reality, the nutritionally quality of the pastures has suffered. The grasses have bolted and are going to seed and the clovers are now advancing toward full bloom. In addition, a fair amount of the forage is being wasted, as the sheep are trampling much that would have been eaten were it not so tall. Nonetheless, Hope is seemingly quite content with her breakfast. At 14 year’s of age Hope is still going strong. She out distances any other member of the flock in terms of age.

Hope enjoying breakfast

Hope, enjoying breakfast

At least the sheep have been able to graze throughout most of the rainy weather. They stayed in the barn (quite grudgingly) on two days, one with nearly two inches of rain and a second with nearly 3 inches. Luckily they had already been on the sections of pasture which tend to puddle up if the ground becomes saturated. We have had much less success attempting to cut and bale our hay. The time between the rains has generally been too short to allow it to dry sufficiently to be baled. To date we have only cut the six outer rounds of our largest hay field. Of those six rounds, four were successfully baled and the remaining two were saturated before we could bale them. (They now have been baled, but only for bedding, as the rain washed any nutritional value from the hay before we could bale it.) The remaining 60 rounds still await to be cut, at a time when we should be finished.

Shoulder deep in clover

Shoulder deep in clover

Our vegetable garden has been another near fatality of all the wet weather. We managed to get enough of the ground cultivated to transplant our usual tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Another break in the weather permitted cultivation of enough area to plant seeds for squash and some of the melons. The remaining two thirds of the space is rank with weeds and currently too damp to cultivate. When and if it ever gets worked over and planted is anyone’s guess at this point. At least the pastures are so thick with food that many of the usual threats to the garden have not attempted any attacks. Our local woodchuck family seems quite content with their territory in the Fourth Pasture (also know as the “Rock Garden”). The largest pile of boulders makes for a cool spot upon which to rest and watch the sun set. As long as Chucky stays there, everyone is happy!

woodchuck-7-1

Accelerating through Spring

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

It is difficult to believe that so much is happening at the farm in such a short space of time. When I began thinking about writing this entry, it was the last week of May. Already by then Mother Nature was at least three weeks ahead of her normal calendar and seemingly she was speeding up further. At a time when usually we think about the cherry blossoms just finishing and the apple blossoms being a week away, the cherries had long since finished and the apples were in full bloom. As I worked at planting the vegetable garden, I had thought that I would take a nice photo of our four crab apples, in full bloom, just next to the garden. When I got to taking the picture all but one tree was finished. As I took pictures the ground below the tree was becoming white with falling blossom petals.

crabapple

Next to the garden, on a fence post to the first pasture, sits one of our bluebird houses. I had been aware of a pair of Eastern Bluebirds feeding young in the box. On the day of the final apple blossoming (May 27th), as I worked in the garden, I sensed that the pair were especially busy and perhaps a bit anxious due to my proximity. It was much to my surprise that later that afternoon the young began to launch themselves from the box. This too seemed so early.

Mom

Mom

Dad

Dad

In a similar fashion, every aspect of life here is moving forward so rapidly. By the first of June we were already seriously considering our first cutting of hay. Strategically timed rains have continued to delay cutting such that now, by the 9th of June, we are woefully behind, at a point where we normally would be just getting the haybine lubricated and tuned. The pastures are growing faster than the sheep can graze them. Many areas of grass are too deep for the sheep, such that much of the grass is being trampled rather than eaten. Yesterday the flock began grazing in the pasture we know as the “Orchard”. This morning, as I moved fencing prior to getting the sheep out I discovered that there had been a Wild Turkey nest in the middle of the previous day’s grazing. Sadly for the turkey hen, most of the eggs had been broken and the secrecy of the nest destroyed. It was just another sign of how far advanced spring has come. It is interesting to contrast the size of one of the surviving eggs to those of our Barred Rock chicken eggs (which are quite large). As expected the speckled Turkey egg is bigger. The weigh is surprising: at least one and a half times as heavy as our chicken egg.

Turkey egg on the right

Turkey egg on the right

In all our scurrying hither and thither, I neglected to make note of the fact that our Gallery season began in the last weekend in May. So here again is a tardy announcement that we are open and have, what we believe, an especially nice mixture of fiber, photography, pottery, woodwork and jewelry. The Gallery is open everyday except Tuesdays, from noon until 5 PM.

Among one of the special features associated with the gallery this year will be a series of classes that Gretchen will be giving to anyone interested in learning the art of spinning with a drop spindle. Each class runs for two hours each day of a two day period. The first classes are scheduled for June 9th and 10th and June 12th and 13th. A list of subsequent classes for July through September can be found on our Events Page. Gretchen is also willing to schedule special classes for individuals on other dates. The cost of the class for each individual is $50. In addition to the cost of the class is a $10 material fee that includes a “CD Drop Spindle” and a supply of roving from our flock with which to begin spinning. To schedule for a class contact us either by phone or e-mail.

Lastly, the Bed and Breakfast is open and happily hosting guests. We have already been especially honored to have guests from Denmark. Rigtig mange tak til Kirsten og Axel for besøget. Vi håber at I kom godt hjemme. Kærligste hilsener!

Green Grass and a Shepherds’ Market

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Yesterday the old bearded shepherd guy said to me, “Nanoo Nanoo, what do you and the rest of the girls think about getting out onto pasture today?” Needless to say, I hardly had to take any poll; it was a unanimous and resounding “YES“. As a result, the old guy and the nice lady arranged for us to take all the lambs with us and head out to pasture for the first time this year. Were we ever glad about that, although, I must admit that many of us were not too lady-like in our rush to get out the door. It was also the first time that all of us girls were together this year, as the old guy kindly let last year’s ewe lambs join us for the festivities. The only ones who could not join us were the rams, but that was just as well, knowing how rams are!

pasture-day-2

Today is now our second day on pasture. I am proud to say that nearly all of this year’s lambs were pretty quick to figure out that going outside was not as spooky as they sometimes think it is. Maybe in a day or so the old grump will not even have to chase after the stragglers to make sure they stay up with us. It is quite a sight all of us together. There are 207 of us adults and lambs all in the group. Fresh grass, clover and trefoil never tastes better than it does on these first few days outside. We are in the first pasture, working our way south. Tomorrow we will be under most of the apple trees. Everything is so early this year, even the apples are starting to bloom. Today were were happy to greet the first Bobolinks back to the farm. Three males serenaded us all morning, either flying high above us or perched at the very top of the couple of ash trees that border the western edge of the first pasture. It is always nice to have music while we graze. We look forward to the days we graze in the pasture next to the big hay field when the Bobolinks can sit on the fence posts next to us and regale us with tales of their winter in South American.

Zuzanna

Zuzanna

Besides getting us out onto pasture the shepherds have been busy the last few days. The Bed and Breakfast has been open for the season since the beginning of May. This morning was the first day that we had visitors from the B&B on pasture. It is always fun seeing old and new faces (and getting a few extra chin rubs to boot!).

The big push this week is getting the farm ready for the annual Shepherds’ Market. It is taking place next Saturday and Sunday. It is an excellent chance to see what can be done with our wool and the fibers from our cousins the angora goats, llamas and alpacas. In addition you can purchase lots of fiber, yarn and finish items; the proceeds from which goes to support all of us. I would be remiss if I did not also remind you that the old shepherd guy’s book, Ruminations a Grumpy Shepherd, will be for sale at the Market. (I need to talk to the old guy, he forgets to plug our work and instead just writes about morels and asparagus!)

Yo Yo Baa and friends waiting for the Shepherds' MArket

Yo Yo Baa and friends waiting for the Shepherds' Market

Queso and I, along with all the girls and their lambs will probably be in the forth pasture those days. It is just down the hill from the gallery building, so we should be able to send you a greeting across the pasture if you happen to stop by the Market this weekend. I hope we see lots of you!

Crazy, Mixed-up Spring

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

After what has been a bizarre couple of weeks we are able to return to the blog. The delayed return is ultimately weather related. In early April we were experiencing unusually mild spring weather, when suddenly we were hit by a heavy, wet snow. One of the results of the wet snow was a series of rapid and repeated power outages due to numerous over-laden tree branches shorting out local power lines. For whatever reason, those outages caused damages to our computer. The timing was exceedingly poor as we were fast approaching the on-line sale of our fleeces. Notices had been sent, customers were waiting and the computer began to die a slow, fitful death.

For those unfamiliar with the annual sale, it is a very intense and rapid event. (It has been described to us as, among other things a “fleece feeding frenzy” and a “bun fight”.) In good times, close to 130 fleeces sell within less than 36 hours (most of them within the first 4 hours). We decided to plug on with the sale on the 14th. We were already relying upon a back-up email system on an overworked, geriatric second computer. We managed to struggle through the first hour of the sale and then had to update the web-site to reflect the fleeces that had been sold. One change went through and then the computer took its last breath and died. From that point onward the sale involved larger numbers of emails and phone calls describing what was still really available. We eventually got a hold of the folks who run our ISP. They were at a conference out West, but were at least able to get the website updated again for us by the end of the day.

The next day Gretchen drove to Green Bay, purchased a lap-top PC, which, by the next day, we had running well enough to take back control of the web site. All the fleeces were sold and our thanks and great apologies go to all of our fleece buyers for their patience during the affair. During the next two weeks we have managed to purchase a new main computer and get a crash course in Windows 7 and learned how so much of our software and equipment is now out of date. Thanks Microsoft, for the extra frustration and need to purchase new equipment and software to replace that which was, otherwise, perfectly good. Thankfully we managed to salvage nearly all the data from the old computer.

Mother Nature has had further tricks up her sleeve. The early warm weather had spring events at least three weeks ahead of schedule. The cherry trees began blooming in late April. Spring wildflowers were also thrown out of sync. The Marsh Marigolds in our cedar-ash wetland have already been in full bloom. Our daffodils and tulips are nearly finished. In a cruel sort of twist we once again returned to cold weather. There is now a good chance that the cherry crop may have been damaged by two straight nights of hard frost this week. The asparagus crop was just high enough for the first picking. What ever was not picked is now frost damaged.

At least the pastures are a bit more tolerant of the temperature swings. The grass is now deep enough that we can start getting the flock out on pasture. That cannot happen too soon as far as the sheep and shepherds are concerned. There has been an awful lot of wishful gazing out the barn doors. Struedel is just one of many ewes who have their sights set on the new grass!struedl-5-911

The last couple of days have been spent getting the pastures ready. The above ground water system needed to be checked for winter freeze damage. It is now pressurized and ready to go. The perimeter fences had to be checked for winter damage. One section suffered from the heavy weight of large snow drifts during our December blizzard. One major post was broken off by the weight. It has been dug up and replaced with a beefier post. Checking all the perimeters of the fence can be a pleasant time if the weather cooperates. Much of the fence runs next to woodlands and it is a chance to look out for the first spring flowers. And if you know where to look there is a patch of wild asparagus which is also near a good spot for finding spring morels.

morel-5-91

With the threat of a hard frost we did not want to waste either asparagus or mushrooms. After a good days work here was at least a small reward for the next days breakfast fritata.

breakfast-5-91

Announcing a Literary Event

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

I suspect that many of you have been wondering what I have been up to for the last few weeks. After all, for quite a while the old bearded shepherd guy has been hogging most of Ewe Turn space. I figured I would let him get away with that, since most of what he has written was directly related to the flock. At least, for once he has gotten his priorities straight.

You may well then ask what I, Nanoo Nanoo, have been occupied with for the last few weeks. As you probably remember, this is my first spring in which I did not have a lamb. I kind of missed it, but then again it has been pretty nice just taking it easy with the rest of my retired buddies. We at least have gotten to witness and, in some cases, help with all of the births. Best of all, with the new scheme, after the lambs are born I don’t have to do all the rest of the work. I know, that really takes a lot out of you as a mom! But, I digress….

Few of you are aware that the flock at Whitefish Bay Farm is actually a multifaceted enterprise. One of our branches is Baa Baa Doo Press, of which I am editor-in-chief. Over the last few months, while many of the ewes were occupied with the gestation of their lambs, I have been helping the grumpy old shepherd guy with a “gestation” of his own.

As editor-in-chief of Baa Baa Doo Press, I am please to announce our first publication, The Ruminations of a Grumpy Shepherd. As you probably guessed, the author is the old shepherd guy. He has collected together essays about life on this farm since he came here 27 years ago. He has written those pieces over the last 14 years. Now he has combined them into a book. He will never admit it, but I actually did a lot of ghost writing for him on the project. (We all know that he needs lots of help!) But I will give him credit since a lot of it was written prior to my birth. I was at least able to get a few of my own literary gems incorporated into the book.

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As part of my duties as editor, I have the task of shamelessly promoting the publication. The book is printed both as a paperback and a hardcover. The old shepherd guy and the nice lady will have some of the paperbacks to sell at the farm. If you wish to order a copy it is better to go directly to our printer. They do a better job of packaging than the old guy will ever manage and the cost will be the same.

If you wish to purchase the paperback click on this link. The cost is $19.95 plus shipping.

If you wish to purchase the hardcover (my personal favorite) go to this link. The cost is $27.50 plus shipping.

So do the old guy a favor and buy his book. It will make him feel good. It is his first and, probably, only opus. He is too shy to do his own publicity so I will continue to handle it. Oh, and did I mention there are photos of us sheep and even one with the old guy and me together? What more can you ask?

Thanks, Nanoo Nanoo

Lambing 2010 - Into the Home Stretch

Friday, April 9th, 2010

I failed to keep up with the weekly lambing report. Instead, I will almost be able to wrap up the season with this post. It has been an amazing lambing at Whitefish Bay Farm. From March 10th through April 1st we had at least one birth a day, save for a day’s rest on March 24th. Nonetheless, we never experienced a day in which we were overpowered by large numbers of lambs being born. Since April 1st, we have been waiting on Tess and Trixie, a couple of slow pokes, due sometime this week or early next week.

The whole operation reminds me of being parked at a railroad crossing, with a long, slow moving freight train passing. The progress was ever so steady and even, for such a long while. The only problem is that someone unhooked the caboose and we are still waiting for it to coast by on its own power. In the meantime, the crossing gates are still down and we cannot get on with our travels.

To date we are up to 55 ewes having delivered 85 lambs, 46 of which are ewe lambs. We are please with the overall health of both the ewes and their lambs. Now we just hope to continue that way. Tonight we began weighing the lambs at their 30th day. Xanadu, the first born, is now at slightly over a respectable 37 pounds. Tomorrow is Zahra’s and Yoko’s turn.

Zahra and her mom, Ultima, are especially close. The photo below is of the two of them taking a nap, along with Zahra’s cousin Yaakov. ultima-xarha

We were especially excited with Oeuf’s twin ewe lambs, Yo Yo Maa and Yo Yo Baa, the later of whom resembles a Jacob sheep with the fineness of a Corriedale fleece (and no horns!).

Yo Yo Baa

Yo Yo Baa

Perhaps even more exciting were Lucy’s twin ewes, the first of whom is a true Moorit in terms of coloration. Moorit coloring is a soft brown with perhaps a tinge of red at an early age. It is a recessive color gene usually hidden by the blacks and grays. It is rare when it shows up in American Corriedales. Usually in the USA, it shows up with Corriedales crossed with another breed that is carrying the Moorit genetics. Needless to say that little ewe has already assured herself a place in the flock!

Lucy's lambs, Moorit to the left

Lucy's lambs, Moorit to the left

The other unique aspect of this year’s lambing season has been the weather. Never, since we had our first lambs born in 1991, have we gone through the entire month of March without any measurable snow fall! This year it happened. In addition we received just a trace of rain for the period. The temperatures were generally pleasant. The result of all the “nice” weather was a lambing that was much less stressful for lambs, their moms and the shepherds. Throughout all of this time there was a little voice that whispered a warning about the dryness. Things were not boding well as far as pasture growth, not to mention the welfare of plant life in general. However, April has compensated us so far. On the 6th 1.2″ of slow, steady rain fell. On the 8th we awoke to a heavy wet snow of at least 4″. Hopefully we will continue to get the much needed moisture as we work into spring.

Lastly, here is a smile, compliments of Xarha. xarha

Lambing 2010 - Week 2

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Today, March 24th, we begin the third week of lambing. The first two weeks have continued to go relatively well. The number of ewes lambing each day has slowed during the second week. The ewes seem to have taken pity upon us and decided to not lamb during the very early hours of the morning. (Or perhaps their compatriots have also complained about having their nights sleep interrupted!) In any case we have managed to “steal” a couple of nights in which all that was needed was a 2 AM bed check.

In these two weeks 38 ewes have lambed, producing 58 lambs. The sex ratio has evened out with a slight advantage to the boys: Rams - 38, Ewes - 26, Unknowns - 1. (The “unknown” was Roxie’s. She produced twins, the second of whom was born dead and partly decomposed. Her first boy is healthy and doing well.) The other negative was the death of one of Snicklefritz’s boys, Zebadiah. At birth he obviously inhaled significant amounts of fluids. His breathing was always labored; the load became too much for him after six days.

Prolificy is slightly lower than normal this year. Currently the average is about 153% per ewe. It is difficult to ascribe that lower number to anything specific. There is a chance that ewe nutrition during the period just prior to breeding may have been a little lower. The stress associated with the ewes coming off pasture at the end of breeding may have been greater. (That routine was more chaotic due to my absence caused by my ankle sprain.)

Left to right: Zircon, Zirconia, Yaakov, Zorba the Sheep and Zippidy Day

left to right: Zircon, Yaakov, Zirconia, Zorba the Sheep and Zippidy Day

However, we are happy with lambing so far. We have some very nice looking ewe lambs for which we are always glad. Having a little more time to spend with the lambs socially is also a reward. A number have already latched onto the idea that being friendly is nice for all concerned. We now have two mixing pens full and have started a third. The lambs in the first two pens have initiated the annual rite of lamb races. Each year since we began lambing the lambs in the mixing pens have begun the spontaneous game of running around the perimeter of their pens at meal time (when their moms are all in the centers at their feeders). The spontaneity of the game is delightful. Even as the pens are merged, the races continue up to the point that the entire outer edge of the barn becomes the track. The races  eventually are abandoned as the lambs grow and become more interested in solid food. We look forward to the races; they are our award for long days and nights in the barn!

The lambs are indeed growing. Below is Zanadu, this year’s first lamb. Honestly, she is not nearly as serious as she appears! She is gaining six pounds per week. Today she lost here tail (also the first of the year). She definitely wants her chin scratched!

zanadu-1

Lastly, here is Vespa, who started off the last day of week two with twins, just as the early morning sun was peeking into the barn. She is just cleaning up her her first lamb. His brother arrived within 15 minutes. This is our gift for the day toward a better world!

vespa-2

A Week into Lambing

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Today, March the 18th, is the ninth day of lambing at Whitefish Bay Farm for 2010. The rate of labor and delivery has slowed a bit. Hopefully I can get this entry completed before the day is over and before the news is completely out of date.

The first lambs arrived last Wednesday, the 10th, which was the expected first date. However, the first ewe to deliver was Toodles, who was a day early. Two of her compatriots, Suzy and Trudi, were right on schedule. Through the first seven days 24 ewes delivered 37 lambs. Interestingly, of the first ten lambs born, nine were ewes and only one a ram! Since then the law of averages has caught up with the flock. As I write 41 lambs have been born of which 19 are ewes and 22 are rams.

While there have been some minor glitches (as are to be expected) the entire group of lambs have been of good size and very good health. The two of us have only had to assist with two deliveries. So far, it seems that the ewes have conspired to deliver the vast majority of their lambs between 10 PM and 6 AM. The two shepherds have thus had the “benefit” of little sleep.

All of us (shepherds, sheep and Pussa the Cat) are at least into the normal lambing routine now. The routine makes things feel a bit smoother, especially if we can avoid any major problems. The vast majority of the deliveries are expected to be completed by March 29th. Unfortunately, we will have a couple of tardy moms who may stretch lambing out to about April 11th.

So what is our “normal lambing routine”? I will begin the day at 6AM which should, hopefully, find the two of us being awakened by the alarm clock from four hours of sleep. The first order of business is a quick audio check on the barn using our baby monitor. If there are no sounds indicating newborns, I will head to the barn for a quick visual check. If we detect newborns or a pending delivery we will both go to the barn to take care of the new mom(s) and lambs. Back to the house for a quick cup of coffee and a snack, plus (of course) breakfast for Pussa. We then return to the barn for chores, i.e. sheep breakfast.

Ultraflower & twin boys, 15 minutes old, born during morning chores

Ultraflower & twin boys, 15 minutes old, born during morning chores

The ewes who lambed within the last 3 days are housed in jugs (5′ x 7′ private pens). There they have their own private feeder and water and the opportunity to bond with their lambs. It gives us a chance to make sure they are doing well in the first critical days after lambing. Unless we need jug space sooner, on their 4th day together, the new family is moved to a mixing pen with other similarly age families, where food and water is shared. The mixing pen will be filled when it contains about 14-16 ewes with their lambs. We then start a second mixing pen. Eventually, as the lambs grow older, the mixing pens will be combined. The final phase will involve consolidation of all the mixing pens.

Three lambs, just 5 days old, sampling solid food

Three lambs, just 5 days old, sampling solid food

Morning feeding includes hay and fresh water to each occupied jug and to each mixing pen. In addition there is need for food for the remaining group of pregnant ewes and “retired” ladies. I also almost forgot that last year’s 30 lambs are housed in the addition to the barn along with the rams and the chickens. It is cozy there but they do well…as long as they are all fed!

With luck, morning chores end at around 9:30, once we spread fresh bedding in any of the pens that need it. It is finally time for a late shepherd’s breakfast and perhaps time to just catch our breaths. Depending upon what we observed during chores we will have to return to the barn throughout the morning and afternoon to check on the progress of any ewes who show signs of labor. In mid-afternoon we return to the barn for a number of special chores. Once the lambs have been “on the ground” for over 24 hours, they receive an ear tag with identifying number and get their tails docked. It is at this time that we also decide which ram lambs get castrated. After 48 hours in the jugs the moms get fitted with a jacket, get their hooves trimmed and receive worming medication. The next day, if lambs and ewes have adjusted to all these changes they will be ready for the move to the mixing pen.

Around 5 PM we start evening chores, which is a repeat of the morning feeding with the additional treat of grain. By 7 PM we are ready for our own dinner. We then resume regular barn checks every couple of hours. If we can get to bed by 10 PM we will be happy. Unless we expect a delivery we will try to get four hour’s sleep. At 2 AM I head to the barn for a visual check. Then before it feels like it the alarm is going off again at 6 AM.

Throughout this entire routine the chance is good that the schedule will be thrown of by the birth or births of lambs. The best scenario is a ewe who does everything by herself with us just observing to make sure everything goes well. If there are problems we may have to intervene. Once the lambs have been born and mom starts getting them cleaned up they may be up and trying to nurse within 10 to 15 minutes. We then usher the new family group into a vacant jug. Once into the jug we clip the lambs umbilical cord short and dip it in iodine to disinfect it and to sped its drying. I then strip out some milk from the mom, thus assuring that she has a milk supply and that it is available to her lambs. Hopefully, “clip, dip and strip” is all that need be done and the mother and lambs can get the rest of the job done themselves.

Now for the personal notes. Toodle’s ewe lamb is Zanadu. She already is showing that she is a member of the Mindy clan. Like her great grandmother Mindy, grandmother Nanoo Nanoo and mother Toodles, Zanadu was born friendly. She has already approached the two of us on her own and willingly accepts all the attention she can get.

This year’s lambs will all have names beginning with X, Y, and Z. (We did not figure that we could come up with enough names starting just with X. Hence we are combining the three letters.) Some of the rising stars to watch for may include the girls Zanadu, Yoko, Xantha and rams Zoltan and Zorba the Sheep. We also have a Zucchini, who, unfortunately, seems as dumb as the vegetable.

I think that I need to stop here and make another barn check. Rubina is overdue and looking like a large coffee table.

Rubina is due anytime now (quite obviously!)

Rubina is due anytime now (quite obviously!)

*****

Postscript: I did not make it! Another lamb born while I was typing. Truffles delivered a lovely ewe lamb, unassisted. They are doing just fine!