Ewe Turn

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

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

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

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!

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.

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

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

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.

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, 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!

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!