So very sorry that you lost five sheep Grace. I know I’ll never be a sheep farmer but I love to learn about how everything works. I did not realize that the drought was so severe last summer. I will never take green grass for granted again. I will be in prayer for a much better season this year. You are a wonderful shepherdess. Very informed knowledgeable. I wear my visor proudly and think of all your hard work. This is definitely not a 9 to 5 job. May God bless the work of your hands sweetie and may HE watch over you and your lambs.
I have had a small flock for many years but just had my first loss to toxoplasmosis. The ewe had one live lamb and a small dead one inside the placenta.
If a coyote kills a lamb it will consume most of it but a dog usually kills without eating much of it. If it was a coyote it will come back since it found an easy meal. Putting up a game camera will let you know for sure. A good guard dog has been the best deterrent I have found but sometimes hard to find one that will stay with the sheep in small pastures. Running an electric wire on the inside of your perimeter fence helps to keep the dog on your property. Training a young pup to stay with the sheep may take 1-2 years and will try your patience but worth it. I have not lost any lambs to coyotes since I started keeping guard dogs but I also had to go through several dogs and lost 2 of them getting hit by cars because they did not stay in the pasture.
When date/month to you start your lambing and why? Do you lamb in the pasture or in a barn/dry lot?
Great insights in this comment! Really enjoyed it.
Typically we lamb in March. I am able to do it on pasture for the most part.
This year I moved my lambing up to February as an experiment. I’m loving it so far, but have to put up a disclaimer that it’s the mild Texas climate that is making it such a pleasure! 50’s-60’s most days and freezes don’t stick.
I love your thoughts on the value of the gift. It’s a faith builder. Receiving a “yes” in answer to prayer/ request isn’t the ultimate end game; the full picture is of more closely walking with our Father, of holding on; of listening more intently; of marveling and wondering!
Thanks for sharing.
So very sorry that you lost five sheep Grace. I know I’ll never be a sheep farmer but I love to learn about how everything works. I did not realize that the drought was so severe last summer. I will never take green grass for granted again. I will be in prayer for a much better season this year. You are a wonderful shepherdess. Very informed knowledgeable. I wear my visor proudly and think of all your hard work. This is definitely not a 9 to 5 job. May God bless the work of your hands sweetie and may HE watch over you and your lambs.
Aunt Barbara, you are such a lifeline of encouragement!!! THANK YOU
I have had a small flock for many years but just had my first loss to toxoplasmosis. The ewe had one live lamb and a small dead one inside the placenta.
If a coyote kills a lamb it will consume most of it but a dog usually kills without eating much of it. If it was a coyote it will come back since it found an easy meal. Putting up a game camera will let you know for sure. A good guard dog has been the best deterrent I have found but sometimes hard to find one that will stay with the sheep in small pastures. Running an electric wire on the inside of your perimeter fence helps to keep the dog on your property. Training a young pup to stay with the sheep may take 1-2 years and will try your patience but worth it. I have not lost any lambs to coyotes since I started keeping guard dogs but I also had to go through several dogs and lost 2 of them getting hit by cars because they did not stay in the pasture.
When date/month to you start your lambing and why? Do you lamb in the pasture or in a barn/dry lot?
Great insights in this comment! Really enjoyed it.
Typically we lamb in March. I am able to do it on pasture for the most part.
This year I moved my lambing up to February as an experiment. I’m loving it so far, but have to put up a disclaimer that it’s the mild Texas climate that is making it such a pleasure! 50’s-60’s most days and freezes don’t stick.
I love your thoughts on the value of the gift. It’s a faith builder. Receiving a “yes” in answer to prayer/ request isn’t the ultimate end game; the full picture is of more closely walking with our Father, of holding on; of listening more intently; of marveling and wondering!
Thanks for sharing.
So encouraged by how you expounded on that. YES and amen!!