Late winter is largely spent in the
barn, where food is plentiful. Pregnant ewes have the best available
nuitition as shearing, and then lambing, is very near.
|
Shearing usually takes place in
late February. Dave, our shearer, takes great care to assure that the
fleeces come off cleanly, all the while treating the pregnant
ewes gently and with minimal stress.
|
Once
shearing is finished, lambing begins within two to three weeks.
All the pregnant ewes will deliver their lambs over a period of about 4
weeks.
|
 
|
| Above are a couple of
new
born lambs. The multi-colored lamb is a little over a
week old, while the white lamb is just a couple of days old. |
The bonds between the ewes and their
new born lambs are usually exceedingly close and often remain year
after year.
|
Within
a couple of weeks the ewes and their lambs are joining other family
groups in mixing pens in the barn. By now everyone is eagerly waiting
the flush of green growth on the pastures.
|
Nothing
can be finer than a warm early spring day, knee deep in green grass!
|
As
summer progresses, the lambs grow rapidly. By early July the ram lambs
are mature enough that they need to be separated from the ewes and ewe
lambs. Like many farm boys they find it interesting to check out the
tractors.
|
Meanwhile,
out on one of the main pastures the Ewe Council discusses grazing
options with the shepherd and wonder when the next group of their
adoring fans will appear.
|
Grazing quickly becomes serious
business for all the lambs.
|
As the summer
progresses, the pastures grow more quickly than the sheep can
eat. The excess hay is cut, baled and stored in the barn for next
winter's feed.
|
By fall it is again time
to think about breeding. The rams and ewes need no reminding. Each ram
is given his own group of ewes to squire. The ram wears a harness that
holds a crayon. When a ewe is bred the crayon leaves its mark. The
rams and ewes are usually
together in their groups for just over a month.
|
Fall is in full
color at the beginning of the breeding season. Here are two breeding
groups, each in their own pasture, strategically separated from each
other by multiple electric fences.
|
 By November the leaves have fallen, temperatures are
dropping and breeding will soon be completed. Soon the ewes will be
re-united in one large flock and the rams return to bachelor quarters.
Another year will commence.
|
