Baymule
Herd Master
I had a dog that would find the cat nests and eat the kittens in one gulp. I called them kitty snacks.
Ridgetop - our place and how we muddle along
- Thread starter Ridgetop
- Start date
greybeard
Herd Master
That's rule #1 of being a property owner. You never ever ever do anything that adversely affects one of your neighbors. No property owner should ever make his/her problems someone else's problems.
(Feral cats are a rarity here. One word...Owls)
- Thread starter
- #653
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Where we are the words are owls, hawks, and coyotes. However, in the closer built areas with half and 3/4 acre lots cats tend to multiply especially when "kind" people feed them. And you can't ever, ever mention owls', hawks' and coyotes' predilection for cat meat to an "animal lover" because they will attack you and drive you out of the Animal Control building and forbid you to return! Personal experience.
It has been raining here - so strange in southern California in mid May! And the weatherman says it will rain through the weekend. Of course, that doesn't mean much. It is dark and cloudy and does smell like rain though so he may be right. DH said that he heard on the news this morning that we have a possibility of rain through the summer!
I am second generation in the San Fernando Valley (rare) and we have only had rain in the summer twice in my lifetime. Both times it was a ginormous tropical storm in August about 15 years apart. Both times we had our roof torn off for replacement. We carefully chose to do this in August because IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN AUGUST! 
It will be shocking if we get rain this summer because - you guessed it - we are not reroofing this summer!
If we get more rain, we may have forage into June. The cutting deadline is the end of this month and there is so much still standing that DH and DS1 have been spending a lot of time cutting. In fact they ran out of fuel and string! They have to clear 200' from all structures on the property for fire clearance. Farther than that can be left growing and the sheep will eventually clear it off over the summer. Technically, the cuttings are required to be gathered up and taken to the dump, but we leave it lay on the ground. It dries out and the mule and sheep eat it. Probably the older, coarser stuff tastes better cut and dried for them. We used to gather it all up in the trailer and take it to the dump until we realized that if we left it the livestock would do the clearance job for us.
We do have to cut some dead wood up that is on the field. And we also have to rent a cherry picker and cut out the dead half of a cedar tree. We need to either cut that wood into firewood lengths or take it to the green dump. DH suggested we cut it up, stack it, and then drive it to my sister's house again. I coldly suggested we take it to the dump instead. He laughed. Smart Aleck!
On another website I read a posting from a woman who said she had gone from feeding 100% grass hay over the winter to half hay and half pellets. I am not sure whether the pellets are a particular sheep feed pellet or plain alfalfa pellets. The protein level is 16%, and she said she had a terrific lambing season. Almost all twins with lots of triplets and big and vigorous too, compared to her lambing season last year with mostly singles and smaller, weaker lambs. She raises fat tailed sheep. I posted asking what exactly she is feeding and will check it out when she reposts. Since we feed mostly hay when we don't have lots of forage, pellets might be more economical since there is a lot of waste with hay. I hope she will repost in the next day or so then I can research it on line.
Do any of you sheep people use pellets or alfalfa pellets as part of your hay ration? I think most of you have pasture. If anyone uses alfalfa pellets please let me know. I think I will check on line and see if any of the Extension offices have articles about it. With the cost of alfalfa here (the cheapest hay) as high as it is, I always like to check out alternatives. Pellets would not waste as much hay since the little darlings prefer the leafy bits and turn up their noses at the dry stalky stuff left behind. I pull it out for the horses, but if I could use pellets for part of their hay ration, it would be more economical. I won't use it for more than 1/3 or half their hay ration because of rumen health.
Tomorrow is the on line sheep auction. I am so excited!
I guess you can tell I don't get out much.
It has been raining here - so strange in southern California in mid May! And the weatherman says it will rain through the weekend. Of course, that doesn't mean much. It is dark and cloudy and does smell like rain though so he may be right. DH said that he heard on the news this morning that we have a possibility of rain through the summer!
I am second generation in the San Fernando Valley (rare) and we have only had rain in the summer twice in my lifetime. Both times it was a ginormous tropical storm in August about 15 years apart. Both times we had our roof torn off for replacement. We carefully chose to do this in August because IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN AUGUST! It will be shocking if we get rain this summer because - you guessed it - we are not reroofing this summer! If we get more rain, we may have forage into June. The cutting deadline is the end of this month and there is so much still standing that DH and DS1 have been spending a lot of time cutting. In fact they ran out of fuel and string! They have to clear 200' from all structures on the property for fire clearance. Farther than that can be left growing and the sheep will eventually clear it off over the summer. Technically, the cuttings are required to be gathered up and taken to the dump, but we leave it lay on the ground. It dries out and the mule and sheep eat it. Probably the older, coarser stuff tastes better cut and dried for them. We used to gather it all up in the trailer and take it to the dump until we realized that if we left it the livestock would do the clearance job for us.
We do have to cut some dead wood up that is on the field. And we also have to rent a cherry picker and cut out the dead half of a cedar tree. We need to either cut that wood into firewood lengths or take it to the green dump. DH suggested we cut it up, stack it, and then drive it to my sister's house again. I coldly suggested we take it to the dump instead. He laughed. Smart Aleck! On another website I read a posting from a woman who said she had gone from feeding 100% grass hay over the winter to half hay and half pellets. I am not sure whether the pellets are a particular sheep feed pellet or plain alfalfa pellets. The protein level is 16%, and she said she had a terrific lambing season. Almost all twins with lots of triplets and big and vigorous too, compared to her lambing season last year with mostly singles and smaller, weaker lambs. She raises fat tailed sheep. I posted asking what exactly she is feeding and will check it out when she reposts. Since we feed mostly hay when we don't have lots of forage, pellets might be more economical since there is a lot of waste with hay. I hope she will repost in the next day or so then I can research it on line.
Do any of you sheep people use pellets or alfalfa pellets as part of your hay ration? I think most of you have pasture. If anyone uses alfalfa pellets please let me know. I think I will check on line and see if any of the Extension offices have articles about it. With the cost of alfalfa here (the cheapest hay) as high as it is, I always like to check out alternatives. Pellets would not waste as much hay since the little darlings prefer the leafy bits and turn up their noses at the dry stalky stuff left behind. I pull it out for the horses, but if I could use pellets for part of their hay ration, it would be more economical. I won't use it for more than 1/3 or half their hay ration because of rumen health.
Tomorrow is the on line sheep auction. I am so excited!
I guess you can tell I don't get out much.
Mike CHS
Herd Master
I fed alfalfa pellets when we first got sheep but I don't any longer. Our sheep eat too fast and would often choke on the pellets. We feed alfalfa hay and buy a custom blend feed from a feed mill not far away in Alabama. They love the feed and a pound or so a day each will get the ewes back in condition when lactating. This feed is small pellets and contains a mix of fiber and grain. We feed fresh grass for our ewes in the dry lot and I give them enough of the feed to meet their nutrition needs. It's actually cheaper to buy the feed 1000 lb at a time than it is to buy hay here and a whole lot easier to store.
- Thread starter
- #655
Ridgetop
Herd Master
I will check to see if the feed mill in Riverside county is still operating. I used to buy my dairy cow grain (for the dairy goats) in bulk there and it was a lot less expensive. I haven't had to buy dairy grain in 1000 lb. bulk for years now so don't know if it is still there. I as don't know if they have sheep grain or pellets since the cattle grain would be too high in copper. We never fed it to the sheep. I used to buy it for the dairy goats that needed the extra copper equivalent to dairy cows when we were milking 12to 20 daily.
I was thinking of using some alfalfa pellets to cut the expense of wasted hay. I wish I had some sort of hay chopper so I could take all the stalky leftovers and blend it with grain to male a ration. On the other hand, it all depends on the cost of the pellets. If they do not average out to less than the expensive hay, it is not worth changing feeding practices. I have cut back on the price of grain by switching to rolled barley corn instead of the expensive ewe and lamb ration I was using for the Dorsets. I could just pray for the miracle of continued rain here in so Cal. Predators are out tonight, the dogs are really working. The damp air and ground must hold good scent for hunting.
Always trying to find a more economical feed source while keeping everyone in top condition. Alas, the hard life of a shepherd.
If you have good grass pastures, you need to worm frequently. If you have dry worm free land, it probably doesn't have anything growing on it! So, no expensive worming program but expensive alfalfa. I need to do a flow chart with the costs of everything to see if what I save on worming balances out the cost of buying all the hay. Or maybe not - why bother when I am going to keep my sheep anyway! It might just depress me.
I was thinking of using some alfalfa pellets to cut the expense of wasted hay. I wish I had some sort of hay chopper so I could take all the stalky leftovers and blend it with grain to male a ration. On the other hand, it all depends on the cost of the pellets. If they do not average out to less than the expensive hay, it is not worth changing feeding practices. I have cut back on the price of grain by switching to rolled barley corn instead of the expensive ewe and lamb ration I was using for the Dorsets. I could just pray for the miracle of continued rain here in so Cal. Predators are out tonight, the dogs are really working. The damp air and ground must hold good scent for hunting.
Always trying to find a more economical feed source while keeping everyone in top condition. Alas, the hard life of a shepherd.
If you have good grass pastures, you need to worm frequently. If you have dry worm free land, it probably doesn't have anything growing on it! So, no expensive worming program but expensive alfalfa. I need to do a flow chart with the costs of everything to see if what I save on worming balances out the cost of buying all the hay. Or maybe not - why bother when I am going to keep my sheep anyway! It might just depress me.
Baymule
Herd Master
Win, lose or draw, we stay in the game, don't we?
- Thread starter
- #657
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Amazing how we would rather buy livestock feed and equipment instead of fancy clothes and jewelry! I told DH he was buying me a ewe or two for Mother's Day! 
He said OK. Such a good man! 
I told DH he was buying me a ewe or two for Mother's Day! He said OK. Such a good man!
Baymule
Herd Master
I told my husband when we married not to waste his money or time buying me jewelry or other gee-gaws. I want something practical and useful. For Mother's Day I got a $30 box of 3" deck screws.
- Thread starter
- #659
Ridgetop
Herd Master
My husband didn't get me jewelry until we had been married 43 years! 
When my DD1 and DIL showed him the diamond and ruby jewelry they had gotten from their husbands that Christmas, he got a funny look on his face and next Christmas I got my first piece of jewelry, other than my engagement and wedding ring. Then he offered to get me a larger diamond ring to replace my original wedding set, but I wouldn't let him. (I love what he chose 48 years ago) Instead I had him get me a high quality CZ ring that everyone thinks it is real! I just smile and thank everyone when they compliment me on my huge "rock"! 
Last year I told him not to get me any more jewelry. There are only so many places you can wear the good stuff after all, and I like my money in the bank. This Mother's Day he bought me some White Dorper ewes! That is true love.
When we got married (the same year as DH's sister) SIL and BIL asked for a top of the line stereo system. I asked for a freezer. I think I won my father-in-law's heart with that. I told them that a freezer would be more economical since we could save money on groceries. My SIL and BIL replaced their stereo after 3 years. That freezer lasted 30 years!
Happy Mother’s Day!
(Also Happy On Line Western States Dorper Sale Day!)
I received 3 arrangements of flowers from my various children and DH. I love getting flowers! Then DS3 called and told me all about what he is doing building his barn, and planning when we can come up and set up a small rabbitry for DGS 3 who will be joining 4-H next year. DS3 had to get off mid conversation because the coyote he saw earlier chasing his neighbor's peacock had come back after the neighbor's sheep. He had to go shoot it since it was eyeing his poultry and trying to decide between a lamb or chicken dinner. Heavy coyotes up there right now. When he called back he told me about his plans to divide his property into several paddocks for grazing and his need for a LGD eventually. We had a lovely chat and then I went back to the computer to check on my bids. Having eradicated the coyote DS3 was taking DIL and 2 children out to dinner.
DH and DS1 came in and asked when we could go to dinner. I told them yesterday that I didn’t want to go to dinner since I needed to keep bidding (up to my maximum decided price) on my selected ewes. I thought they were ok with this. But no, they wanted to take me to dinner tonight. DH said we would go at 5:00 since that was when the auction was supposed to close. I said that ws too early since the auction would not actually be over at that time. It seems that as soon as another bid is made the time to close is extended, apparently to give the losers a chance to bid again. I had competition on two of the lots on which I was bidding. Apparently, I have a good eye for a sheep. LOL I had to keep checking the bidding.
I explained that I could not leave until the bidding closed on the lots I was interested in. DH and DS2 decided to go at 6:30 p.m. figuring that the auction would be over by 6:00 p.m. I warned them that the auction does not always close at the advertised time but they figured 6:30 p.m. would be safe. At 4:30 pm I figured up the amount of time left on the open lots and told them that it looked like I might not be able to go at 6:30 pm after all. It looked like the auction would not be closing until 7:00 p.m. since people kept overbidding me on my chosen ewes. Now I was in trouble with the family since the auction would go past that time and I refused to abandon the auction to go to dinner. Anyway, I really didn’t want to go to dinner with the family since I was having a good time on this auction. This is what I had planned for weeks for my Mother’s Day treat! I told them in advance that this auction was my Mother’s Day gift to me.
Unhappy Mother's Day! DH was mad at me because he had called DD1 and DD2 to arrange for them to meet us at the restaurant for a surprise. DS2 was mad when I suggested we go at 7:30pm, because he can’t go to dinner late since he has to be up on the road to work at 4:30 am. DD2 was already on her way to Burbank to hang out with DD2's significant other and meet us at the restaurant - she would be mad. DD1 was mad because they can’t go late - the children need to go to bed early for school tomorrow, etc. I am now mad because everyone is blaming me! The only happy person was DS3 who shot the coyote sneaking up on his chickens and his neighbor’s sheep today! (DS3 lives 3 hours north and was not planning on going out with us anyway.) Everyone was upset with me even though I had told them for the past week I was staying home on my computer all afternoon and evening today!
And this is MY fault for "ruining Mother's Day" even though I told them I could not go to dinner tonight!!!
Deep breaths, deep breaths . . . .
Somehow, the auction did finish by 6:00 p.m. I told DH to call DS2 who had gone on ahead to the restaurant and ran to get ready. DS2 was going to meet DD1 and DD2 there and wait at the restaurant for a table since they do not do reservations on Mother's Day. We made it on time and were able to have a loud and enjoyable Mother's Day dinner after all. I had a stiff drink.
Oh yes, the auction! Well I bought 3 of the 4 lots I had bid on and for less than what I was prepared to pay.
One lot I was bidding against another person in a bidding war. Finally, he or she had dropped out and at 1 minute and 46 seconds they suddenly made another bid! I was pretty unhappy, but had since my previous bid was more than I wanted to pay, and it was one of those "take that Red Baron" take outs, and had waited until 2 minutes before the bidding closed, I let the pen of 2 ewes go. I will call the breeder tomorrow and ask if he has any similar ewes or ewe lambs for sale that he could send to the Modesto sale next weekend. His dad is coming to Modesto and could bring her since that is how he was going to arrange getting the 2 ewes to me anyway. 
I really only want 1 anyway, and there might be some good stuff at the sale next weekend.
Next year I am going to get another Lewis ram. There were a couple of terrific stud rams in the sale. Paul Lewis is on ASBV and all his rams have the genetic potentials listed. I am learning to read the charts which are confusing at first. I am so happy with the Lewis ram we got last year. I think he may be better than the Hijo sired ram I am using this year. The photos of Lewis' rams are always taken of them just off the pasture without being cleaned up at all or shorn so you can see how they are shedding. The charts give the % values of potential meat, muscling, early weaning weights, etc. Everything you need to know to improve your flock is in the value system charts. I got lucky last year and picked up my Lewis ram for $400. This year his rams were going for $900 to $1200. Prices otherwise this year were low, and I got 3 top quality yearling and fall ewe lambs for half of what I paid last year.
Happy Mother's Day to me!
Maybe I can't wear my lovely new ewes, but then my pretty pearl necklace can't produce delicious lamb chops either! 
When my DD1 and DIL showed him the diamond and ruby jewelry they had gotten from their husbands that Christmas, he got a funny look on his face and next Christmas I got my first piece of jewelry, other than my engagement and wedding ring. Then he offered to get me a larger diamond ring to replace my original wedding set, but I wouldn't let him. (I love what he chose 48 years ago) Instead I had him get me a high quality CZ ring that everyone thinks it is real! I just smile and thank everyone when they compliment me on my huge "rock"! Last year I told him not to get me any more jewelry. There are only so many places you can wear the good stuff after all, and I like my money in the bank. This Mother's Day he bought me some White Dorper ewes! That is true love.When we got married (the same year as DH's sister) SIL and BIL asked for a top of the line stereo system. I asked for a freezer. I think I won my father-in-law's heart with that.
I told them that a freezer would be more economical since we could save money on groceries. My SIL and BIL replaced their stereo after 3 years. That freezer lasted 30 years! Happy Mother’s Day!
(Also Happy On Line Western States Dorper Sale Day!) I received 3 arrangements of flowers from my various children and DH. I love getting flowers!
Then DS3 called and told me all about what he is doing building his barn, and planning when we can come up and set up a small rabbitry for DGS 3 who will be joining 4-H next year. DS3 had to get off mid conversation because the coyote he saw earlier chasing his neighbor's peacock had come back after the neighbor's sheep. He had to go shoot it since it was eyeing his poultry and trying to decide between a lamb or chicken dinner. Heavy coyotes up there right now. When he called back he told me about his plans to divide his property into several paddocks for grazing and his need for a LGD eventually. We had a lovely chat and then I went back to the computer to check on my bids. Having eradicated the coyote DS3 was taking DIL and 2 children out to dinner. DH and DS1 came in and asked when we could go to dinner. I told them yesterday that I didn’t want to go to dinner since I needed to keep bidding (up to my maximum decided price) on my selected ewes. I thought they were ok with this. But no, they wanted to take me to dinner tonight. DH said we would go at 5:00 since that was when the auction was supposed to close. I said that ws too early since the auction would not actually be over at that time. It seems that as soon as another bid is made the time to close is extended, apparently to give the losers a chance to bid again. I had competition on two of the lots on which I was bidding. Apparently, I have a good eye for a sheep. LOL I had to keep checking the bidding.
I explained that I could not leave until the bidding closed on the lots I was interested in. DH and DS2 decided to go at 6:30 p.m. figuring that the auction would be over by 6:00 p.m. I warned them that the auction does not always close at the advertised time but they figured 6:30 p.m. would be safe. At 4:30 pm I figured up the amount of time left on the open lots and told them that it looked like I might not be able to go at 6:30 pm after all. It looked like the auction would not be closing until 7:00 p.m. since people kept overbidding me on my chosen ewes. Now I was in trouble with the family since the auction would go past that time and I refused to abandon the auction to go to dinner. Anyway, I really didn’t want to go to dinner with the family since I was having a good time on this auction. This is what I had planned for weeks for my Mother’s Day treat! I told them in advance that this auction was my Mother’s Day gift to me.
Unhappy Mother's Day! DH was mad at me because he had called DD1 and DD2 to arrange for them to meet us at the restaurant for a surprise. DS2 was mad when I suggested we go at 7:30pm, because he can’t go to dinner late since he has to be up on the road to work at 4:30 am. DD2 was already on her way to Burbank to hang out with DD2's significant other and meet us at the restaurant - she would be mad. DD1 was mad because they can’t go late - the children need to go to bed early for school tomorrow, etc. I am now mad because everyone is blaming me! The only happy person was DS3 who shot the coyote sneaking up on his chickens and his neighbor’s sheep today! (DS3 lives 3 hours north and was not planning on going out with us anyway.) Everyone was upset with me even though I had told them for the past week I was staying home on my computer all afternoon and evening today!
And this is MY fault for "ruining Mother's Day" even though I told them I could not go to dinner tonight!!!
Deep breaths, deep breaths . . . .
Somehow, the auction did finish by 6:00 p.m.
I told DH to call DS2 who had gone on ahead to the restaurant and ran to get ready. DS2 was going to meet DD1 and DD2 there and wait at the restaurant for a table since they do not do reservations on Mother's Day. We made it on time and were able to have a loud and enjoyable Mother's Day dinner after all. I had a stiff drink.Oh yes, the auction! Well I bought 3 of the 4 lots I had bid on and for less than what I was prepared to pay.
One lot I was bidding against another person in a bidding war. Finally, he or she had dropped out and at 1 minute and 46 seconds they suddenly made another bid! I was pretty unhappy, but had since my previous bid was more than I wanted to pay, and it was one of those "take that Red Baron" take outs, and had waited until 2 minutes before the bidding closed, I let the pen of 2 ewes go. I will call the breeder tomorrow and ask if he has any similar ewes or ewe lambs for sale that he could send to the Modesto sale next weekend. His dad is coming to Modesto and could bring her since that is how he was going to arrange getting the 2 ewes to me anyway. I really only want 1 anyway, and there might be some good stuff at the sale next weekend.Next year I am going to get another Lewis ram. There were a couple of terrific stud rams in the sale. Paul Lewis is on ASBV and all his rams have the genetic potentials listed. I am learning to read the charts which are confusing at first. I am so happy with the Lewis ram we got last year. I think he may be better than the Hijo sired ram I am using this year. The photos of Lewis' rams are always taken of them just off the pasture without being cleaned up at all or shorn so you can see how they are shedding. The charts give the % values of potential meat, muscling, early weaning weights, etc. Everything you need to know to improve your flock is in the value system charts. I got lucky last year and picked up my Lewis ram for $400. This year his rams were going for $900 to $1200. Prices otherwise this year were low, and I got 3 top quality yearling and fall ewe lambs for half of what I paid last year.
Happy Mother's Day to me!
Maybe I can't wear my lovely new ewes, but then my pretty pearl necklace can't produce delicious lamb chops either! - Thread starter
- #660
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Well, sent off my auction check and made arrangements to pick up the yearling ewe and 2 fall lambs after the show next weekend. We will have to drive another couple hours north of Modesto but at least the ewes won't be locked in a stock trailer for a whole weekend.
There is a Membership Social Saturday night after the show we will attend, then on Sunday morning a seminar before the auction that I also plan to attend. Raymond Read is a south African breeder and judge and he will be giving the talk. We plan to arrive early Friday while people are unloading to drop our stock trailer. We will be able to walk through the barn and meet some of the breeders I have spoken to over the past year, and look at their animals. I will be meeting a couple of people there so they can show me their stock.
There is also a separate Youth show, with breeding classes, a Jackpot market show, and showmanship. Glen Patton will be judging the Youth market and showmanship division. Raymond Read will be judging the Youth breeding show as well as the Open show. The kids will be lucky to show under both these excellent judges. The adult breeding show will auction, but the youth animals will not auction unless they are entered in the open show as well. It is a chance for the kids to show twice. There is also a raffle for both a black headed Dorper ewe lamb and a White Dorper ewe lamb. The raffle proceeds go to support the Western States Dorper Association Youth Program. I never win anything, but will buy tickets. Hope springs eternal as they say.
I am looking forward to this weekend even more than I did the auction last weekend! I just love livestock shows and auctions. My grandchildren would already be showing if only 4-H had not died in our area. Even the Los Angeles County Fair does not have livestock shows any more. So sad.
Three of the ewes have remarked. One Dorset and one Dorper just marked once. At least I think so, since the 3rd Dorper has green crayon on her face and shoulder so either the ram walked into her while she was laying down, or he was seriously confused. I have written all the possible dates on my calendar anyway. After I pick up the new ewes, they will go into quarantine for a couple of weeks. Then the yearling ewe (or two if I am lucky to get something at the sale next weekend) will join the Dorset ewes with the Lewis ram. The other 2 are fall lambs and will join our home bred fall lamb in her little pasture. She will be so happy! That is, after she establishes dominance over the interlopers. They are all young so it shouldn't be a problem.
I had a call from my vet asking if I had any sheep for sale. I am hoping that her client will want my bred Dorset ewes. It will save me a 3 hour round trip to the auction yard. The buyer will get a 2 for 1 special on them. Otherwise we will wait until they lamb in September or October, expose them again and then take them to the sale. They are nice ewes, easy lambing, good moms, and have great lambs, but I am so over shearing.
Poor Angel is still in durance vile. She is now in the barn pen though. We had several days of light rain and I felt guilty that she was laying I the rain. Before anyone thinks I am cruel and inhuman, she did have a giant Igloo crate in the kennel for shelter, but apparently preferred to sleep on the wet ground in the rain. Since she persisted in sleeping in the rain I put her in the barn for my own peace of mind. She wants to be out with the sheep but can't go out until the vet gives the ok. She has an appointment on Thursday. Hopefully she will be ok otherwise she will have to go back in the little pen in the barn. It is only 5 x 10 but the vet doesn't want her moving more than that. She is very sad. After I fed her this morning DS1 went to the barn and checked on her. She was sitting in front of the pen holding her food dish in her mouth! So cute! He asked if I had fed her enough! LOL
We saw terrible news of flooding in the north east Texas region as well as most of Louisiana. The reports said the rivers were flooded and then we saw that Austin had flooded streets too. I think I better call my friend in Leander outside of Austin. When the rain is that bad and it floods, he can't get his goats across the little stream in his pasture. The little stream becomes a raging torrent that they cant cross. It even has swept some of his Anatolians down stream when they tried to cross it. They were ok, but he worries.
Got the dates from DS3 and DIl. They are leaving for Texas July 22 in order to be back by August 4. They want to go by way of the Grand Canyon and then we will meet them at Carlsbad Caverns and go on into San Antonio together. Then on to Dallas FW until they leave to go home. I hope they love Texas as well s we do. We will both stay in the Weatherford RV park where we stayed before. Great pool, family friendly, and close enough to downtown Fort Worth for touristy stuff. After they leave, we will be able to take care of our business, start looking for ranch property, and check out the desirability of different locations for ranching and taxes.
And, of course, finally meet Baymule and Devonviolet! If anyone else wants to meet, let us know.
There is a Membership Social Saturday night after the show we will attend, then on Sunday morning a seminar before the auction that I also plan to attend. Raymond Read is a south African breeder and judge and he will be giving the talk. We plan to arrive early Friday while people are unloading to drop our stock trailer. We will be able to walk through the barn and meet some of the breeders I have spoken to over the past year, and look at their animals. I will be meeting a couple of people there so they can show me their stock.
There is also a separate Youth show, with breeding classes, a Jackpot market show, and showmanship. Glen Patton will be judging the Youth market and showmanship division. Raymond Read will be judging the Youth breeding show as well as the Open show. The kids will be lucky to show under both these excellent judges. The adult breeding show will auction, but the youth animals will not auction unless they are entered in the open show as well. It is a chance for the kids to show twice. There is also a raffle for both a black headed Dorper ewe lamb and a White Dorper ewe lamb. The raffle proceeds go to support the Western States Dorper Association Youth Program. I never win anything, but will buy tickets. Hope springs eternal as they say.
I am looking forward to this weekend even more than I did the auction last weekend! I just love livestock shows and auctions. My grandchildren would already be showing if only 4-H had not died in our area. Even the Los Angeles County Fair does not have livestock shows any more. So sad.
Three of the ewes have remarked. One Dorset and one Dorper just marked once. At least I think so, since the 3rd Dorper has green crayon on her face and shoulder so either the ram walked into her while she was laying down, or he was seriously confused. I have written all the possible dates on my calendar anyway. After I pick up the new ewes, they will go into quarantine for a couple of weeks. Then the yearling ewe (or two if I am lucky to get something at the sale next weekend) will join the Dorset ewes with the Lewis ram. The other 2 are fall lambs and will join our home bred fall lamb in her little pasture. She will be so happy! That is, after she establishes dominance over the interlopers. They are all young so it shouldn't be a problem.
I had a call from my vet asking if I had any sheep for sale. I am hoping that her client will want my bred Dorset ewes. It will save me a 3 hour round trip to the auction yard. The buyer will get a 2 for 1 special on them. Otherwise we will wait until they lamb in September or October, expose them again and then take them to the sale. They are nice ewes, easy lambing, good moms, and have great lambs, but I am so over shearing.
Poor Angel is still in durance vile. She is now in the barn pen though. We had several days of light rain and I felt guilty that she was laying I the rain. Before anyone thinks I am cruel and inhuman, she did have a giant Igloo crate in the kennel for shelter, but apparently preferred to sleep on the wet ground in the rain. Since she persisted in sleeping in the rain I put her in the barn for my own peace of mind. She wants to be out with the sheep but can't go out until the vet gives the ok. She has an appointment on Thursday. Hopefully she will be ok otherwise she will have to go back in the little pen in the barn. It is only 5 x 10 but the vet doesn't want her moving more than that. She is very sad. After I fed her this morning DS1 went to the barn and checked on her. She was sitting in front of the pen holding her food dish in her mouth!
So cute! He asked if I had fed her enough! LOLWe saw terrible news of flooding in the north east Texas region as well as most of Louisiana. The reports said the rivers were flooded and then we saw that Austin had flooded streets too. I think I better call my friend in Leander outside of Austin. When the rain is that bad and it floods, he can't get his goats across the little stream in his pasture. The little stream becomes a raging torrent that they cant cross. It even has swept some of his Anatolians down stream when they tried to cross it. They were ok, but he worries.
Got the dates from DS3 and DIl. They are leaving for Texas July 22 in order to be back by August 4. They want to go by way of the Grand Canyon and then we will meet them at Carlsbad Caverns and go on into San Antonio together. Then on to Dallas FW until they leave to go home. I hope they love Texas as well s we do. We will both stay in the Weatherford RV park where we stayed before. Great pool, family friendly, and close enough to downtown Fort Worth for touristy stuff. After they leave, we will be able to take care of our business, start looking for ranch property, and check out the desirability of different locations for ranching and taxes.
And, of course, finally meet Baymule and Devonviolet! If anyone else wants to meet, let us know.
