Sheep & Rain

[Rvrfshr]

I believe these animals are more hardy than usually given credit. We (humans) have a tendency to "over care" for our livestock which may, in the long run, rob them of their natural strengths. Neglect is one thing, but prudent animal husbandy is another.

 

[Beekissed]

I believe these animals are more hardy than usually given credit. We (humans) have a tendency to "over care" for our livestock which may, in the long run, rob them of their natural strengths. Neglect is one thing, but prudent animal husbandy is another.

The lamb in your avatar looks incredibly the same as a lamb I had from my Kat ewe:

 

[SheepGirl]

Bee--that lamb is adorable

In addition to being out in the rain, my sheep actively graze in the snow.

 

[Rvrfshr]

Thanks B, that's a mighty cute little lamb you have there.

Mine's a Kat/Dorp. cross, and turned out to be a really good mother. Her lamb's are strong and carrying on with being added to our herd.

What a blessing it is to raise these creatures.

 

[RustyDHart]

Sheepgirl....I love the snow photo with your sheep....it looks like here.... a quiet, calming snowfall and the sheep don't mind at all.....mine don't seem to notice the sleet, rain, or snow either.

 

[Cornish Heritage]

We have discovered that our sheep stay out in all weathers too

Liz

 

[eweinHiscare]

That is good to know the sheep are so hardy!

I did read of 'felting' somewhere though, and I don't know what that means.

I have Katahdin sheep in NC where we get more freezing rain than snow usually.


Would someone please define 'felting' and let me know if

my climate is conducive to that ?



I forgot where I read that term, but I'm sure it was about live sheep (not hatmaking!) and I got the impression that it was not a good thing.

 

[SheepGirl]

Wool can sometimes felt (which is basically where it gets matted) on a live animal if there is heat and friction...usually caused by rubbing up against something. I have wool sheep and I've never had anyone get felted wool.

 

[eweinHiscare]

thanks SheepGirl, I should have mentioned I have Katahdin sheep which are supposed to shed...hopefully before it gets hot.
So if they do get felted somehow will it just get rubbed off ?
I can imagine that they might rub on trees to work the shedding winter coat off ?
I've only had them about a month so all this sheep behavior is new to me.

Lots of times they say negative words...BAAAAAAAAAD ! and I tell them, no, it's not that bad. You'll love it here soon as you get used to it!

 

[SheepGirl]

Hair sheep should already have shed their winter coats by now. Most do by May. But yes hair sheep will rub against everything when they're shedding their winter coats off. To my understanding when they're shedding the wool does felt somewhat. (Again I have wool sheep, not hair sheep, so what I'm telling you is based off what I've read, not experienced.)