SageHill Ranch Journal

[Baymule]

Do you knit or crochet? Spin? Sounds like an adventure is cooking. Slow simmer to be sure, but it’s heating up!

So what’s breed choice #2?

 

[Mini Horses]

speaking of breeds -- comes breeding. Didn't you keep a ram lamb? How's he coming along?

 

[SageHill]

Do you knit or crochet? Spin? Sounds like an adventure is cooking. Slow simmer to be sure, but it’s heating up!

So what’s breed choice #2?

Breed # 2 would be Dorpers. Twas what I was trying to get last year - not easy LOL everyone says their sheep are Dorpers - snagged 4 in July/August - one is all black w/ white spot on it's head (?Dorper?), one is silver (?Dorper?) and two are white ~probably Dorpers. No papers, wasn't looking for papers. LOL at the time I only knew about the black headed Dorpers.
LOL -- knit, crochet - tried as a kid - failed miserably - left handed and at the time no one knew how to teach lefthanded.

 

[SageHill]

speaking of breeds -- comes breeding. Didn't you keep a ram lamb? How's he coming along?

Yup - I did! To my untrained sheep (but trained dog and horse) eye he looks really good. Filling out really nicely as well. I'll try to snag a pic.

 

[SageHill]

Update on the CA Reds - got an email reply (sent original email ~ 2weeks ago) she just finished lambing, isn't sure she'd have any available and I should look closer to me -- umm that was my first go. Replied if she knew anyone closer please let me know - otherwise if she does have some avail I would be willing to make the trip. We'll see what / if anything comes of it.

 

[Bruce]

Wondering if I should just go another direction with another breed or something. I think that's what I'll do and if the CA Reds pan out - it'll be a slow process.

If they are so rare/hard to find I would be concerned about inbreeding problems. Even if you found some now where would you get unrelated rams in the future?

 

[SageHill]

Yup - I did! To my untrained sheep (but trained dog and horse) eye he looks really good. Filling out really nicely as well. I'll try to snag a pic.

@Mini Horses
Here's a pic of my ram lamb -- not the greatest pic. I'd like a straighter topline on him - if lamb growth is anything like puppies I'm guessing that could change. He does have that Quarter Horse butt going though and good bone.

 

[SageHill]

If they are so rare/hard to find I would be concerned about inbreeding problems. Even if you found some now where would you get unrelated rams in the future?

Excellent points. I does make me wonder about them going forward. Perhaps bring in a Tunis or a Barb ram since that's how these originated? Definitely something that I would be asking about with the breed mentors.

 

[Mini Horses]

Ram lamb is still young! Yes he'll grow more...I see a big boy there. Often hips & shoulders are uneven at this age. Compare this pic to one in another 6 months. Yeah, it's fun to watch.

I'm growing out a just turned 1 buck. He's as big as my 5 yr old big does. No where done with size!

 

[SageHill]

Ram lamb is still young! Yes he'll grow more...I see a big boy there. Often hips & shoulders are uneven at this age. Compare this pic to one in another 6 months. Yeah, it's fun to watch.

I'm growing out a just turned 1 buck. He's as big as my 5 yr old big does. No where done with size!

Ah ha! just like puppies - font high, rear high, level, repeat!
So far he is a sweetie. Likes his animal crackers and wild buckwheat treats. Not pushy - so far - but I'm definitely watching carefully. Though I did swat him for trying to nibble on my jacket!