SageHill Ranch Journal

[SageHill]

Been busy with little stuff that's piled up. Have done some grazing, and Obi is starting to move a little sore. Time to schedule a chiro appt for the boy and break out the cold laser. He can do close in work - chutes and such and Zo can take over the grazing work for awhile. Among the little things now crossed off the little pile list are planting garlic (still have a few heads but need to "find a place"), peas and lettuces are planted in garden boxes and 6 packs in the greenhouse.
Humidity is down around 12% -- that's ouchie dry. Next week things should get better. Winds have died down - good news for a lot of things.
Last week got the delivery of the contraption. I'm now working the sheep through a chute in the barn aisle next to it getting them accustomed to leaving their stalls, going through the panels and into another stall. They are quickly picking up the idea both with Obi's help and a little bribery on my part - it's teamwork. Things are going well and I think tomorrow I'll add it into the chute wide open. One baby step at a time until it's tilt-a-whirl time.

It's so peaceful out grazing.

 

[Baymule]

I’m real interested in that tilt thing. I’ve never seen one being used.

 

[SageHill]

I’m real interested in that tilt thing. I’ve never seen one being used.

When I start using it I'll for sure post it. Videos look good, haven't read anything contrary. With all the herding lessons I've taught through all the years I've managed to sock away most of what I made. I looked at that thing and looked and looked for over a month, then said bite the bullet and did. I'm really excited to use it too. LOL - the things we get excited about , definitely not fancy clothes, jewelry, or fancy shoes.
I can do lot of things, but it finally came down to do I really want to tip the ram and get him into the chair to do hooves -- ummm no, no really. He's big and I really don't want him to learn he can over power me. Right now we are good and he does love animal crackers! He respects / doesn't like my gloves or the stock stick and I want to keep it that way.

 

[SageHill]

The Contraption
Last night it felt like it would be a good night to continue the introduction process. Sooooo .....
What is this thing?

I don't think I'll fit. I'ze too woooly!

Come on Maaaa you can do it.

Ready or not, here I come.

We'll stay put for the night thank you very much.

This morning they made the trip out, after 4 more of the flock joined them. So half the flock has been through - yay. I'm thinking sometime late next week we may begin the carnival ride.

 

[Baymule]

Feed them in that stall so they have to go through it to eat.

 

[SageHill]

Feed them in that stall so they have to go through it to eat.

I do!! That's the night time stall for those two. The ram lamb is a piggy - 'must stand in bunk feeder' - which gets cleaned out every morning.

 

[Ridgetop]

Is that the squeeze the turns the sheep upside down? as opposed to the squeeze that just rotates to the side? Those are supposed to be the best according to Wes Patton who has a very old one by a company no longer in business. Mine lays the sheep on their sides but they struggle. Wes said that turning them completely upside down works better since they don't struggle. That is why we got the sheep chair since they struggle less in it than in the squeeze. Of course, I have DS1 to tip them in, help hold them still, and tip them out.

Can't wait to see your pix and hear about how you like it.

 

[farmerjan]

I honestly cannot imagine turning the sheep so completely upside down for very long... it puts pressure on their lungs and they will have a hard time breathing unless you are very fast to trim them... but, I have never used one that turns sheep to the side... the ones they use for the dairy cattle that lays them on their side is very efficient and the cows do not fight it much at all...
The chair one would be a bit of a pain to tip them into I think, but would still keep them from having that pressure put on their lungs. Luckily my DS can flip his half way up/back to do the feet, but they can kick some... the chair might make that better... Really looking forward to seeing the pictures when you start to use it...

 

[SageHill]

Is that the squeeze the turns the sheep upside down? as opposed to the squeeze that just rotates to the side? Those are supposed to be the best according to Wes Patton who has a very old one by a company no longer in business. Mine lays the sheep on their sides but they struggle. Wes said that turning them completely upside down works better since they don't struggle. That is why we got the sheep chair since they struggle less in it than in the squeeze. Of course, I have DS1 to tip them in, help hold them still, and tip them out.

Can't wait to see your pix and hear about how you like it.

This one has "stops" so you can lay on their side, almost upside down and upside down. I can hardly wait to actually turn them. Taking my time or I'll only get them to do it once. Yeah - I'm the tipper here and the ram is a wee bit big for me to tip. Hoping this will make life easier.
And just got off the phone with the company - they called to make sure everything is fine.

 

[Ridgetop]

Take a video of them spinning! $$$ from Funniest Home Videos?

Ours turns them on their sides but our sheep don't like it. DS1 used to flip them and I would trim while he held them, but my back won't take it anymore. The "chair" raises them higher than on the ground but still can only do about 5-8 at a time. DS1 admitted the other day that he was "no spring chicken anymore" aka approaching "Prime". LOL

View of squeeze turntable front to back
Ewe in squeeze
DH with ewe in squeeze turntable Ewe in turntable

Ewe in turntable with bottom dropped down to allow access to hooves for trimming

Here is what happens if you don't keep watch on their flailing feet! I am not taking a rest on the ground - I have a folding chair there for that. I was knocked flying about 4' away from the turntable!
Yes, they can still kick in the squeeze and No, being turned on their sides doesn't make them calm. LOL Bruises on hip where the hooves caught me and corresponding bruises on other hip where I landed! LOL

In Ridgetop fashion, photos were the top priority before deciding whether to call ambulance for broken hip.

I honestly cannot imagine turning the sheep so completely upside down for very long... it puts pressure on their lungs and they will have a hard time breathing unless you are very fast to trim them...

Once the sheep are immobilized, the hoof trimming doesn't take very long at all. Unless the hooves are very overgrown and extremely hard (end of summer) they can be trimmed in about 10-15 per ewe. Biggest time is taken running sheep unto squeeze or flipping unto chair. During that time, I have a drink of water and straighten my aching back. DS1 runs them in and out and flips them. I used to train them to the stanchion with grain and trim them there like the goats but these are not tame 4-H sheep so the object is to catch, flip, trim, mark, and release into the next pen. By marking them with spray marking paint, we can run them back into the field later and still know who hasn't been trimmed. Different colors are used to ID ewes that need to be bred or are close to lambing too.