SheepGirl's 2014 Lambing Thread

[SheepGirl]

Took some photos of Hank yesterday to send to his potential new owner; she said she was still interested and would like recent photos. Just waiting on a reply.

Still need to get tags...I will probably do that my next paycheck.

No one has yet to be remarked, so now five out of six ewes are 'officially' bred. Just waiting on Katy Perry, of course she was bred on the very last day of the first 17 day cycle. So I will probably keep Hank in for one extra day just to be sure she doesn't get remarked and then I will remove him.

 

[autumnprairie]

YAY for babies it is going to be a long wait so pass the

hehehe. Are you breeding your goats this year?

Yeah, but I don't have any dates for delivery

 

[SheepGirl]

Well nobody was remarked, so once again Hank settled all of the ewes on their first heat

I can't wait until babies! Three more months for Ciqala, and 3.5-4 months for everybody else

 

[SheepGirl]

Had time before work yesterday so I weighed and body condition scored everyone. Katy perry and Rosie both came in at exactly 104.2 lbs.

 

[SheepGirl]

Sheep are doing good, everyone is getting really fluffy & ready for winter. I may set up their winter pen this weekend with help from my family visiting for Thanksgiving

Never did post my flock's weights...

These ewes were on pasture since April, no additional feed except for when they were lactating but nothing until late September when they were being flushed.
Ciqala, 3.0 BCS, 187.2 lbs
Ali, 3.0 BCS, 142.4 lbs
Lady Gaga, 3.5-4.0 BCS, 113.8 lbs
Katy Perry, 3.0 BCS, 104.2 lbs
Rosie, 3.0-3.5 BCS, 104.2 lbs (259 days old, 0.359 lb ADG)
Bella, 3.0 BCS, 87.4 lbs (253 days old, 0.319 lb ADG)

These guys on the other hand, were given 3% of their body weight in 1st cutting native grass hay. They ended up getting really thin and are now back out on pasture. They've been on what's left of the pasture for about a month now and they've already gained 1 condition point!
Edward, 1.5-2.0 BCS, 70.0 lbs (253 days old, 0.246 lb ADG)
Emmett, 1.0 BCS, 57.8 lbs (184 days old, 0.261 lb ADG)
Hank, 1.5 BCS, 142.0 lbs

 

[SheepGirl]

I'm 2.5 months until ciqalas due, 3 more months for everyone else

 

[bloonskiller911]

love the names of your ewes. we have a lady baabaa!! haha my girls are funny when they name animals. all of my ewes are due in the space of 2/14/14-03/1/14 hope all goes well as this is all of their first breeding. we have Suffolk mixes. can't wait to see your little lambs.

 

[SheepGirl]

Well today was the first snow of the season. Ewes were outside during the entire storm. When I got home from work I put some straw in their shelter and I put hay on the outside of the gate. I like it like that because they can't step, pee, or poop on it. Also it saves me from having to walk to their feeder! yes I'm lazy haha

 

[SheepGirl]

I made my gate into a fenceline feeder. There was too much waste putting it in their regular feeder so I put it outside the gate and they eat everything because nothing touches poop pee or mud; it is clean ground. Went out today and there was next to nothing left over from yesterdays feeding. All 9 sheep fit at a 10 ft gate.

 

[SheepGirl]

I really enjoy having a job. I'm looking online at prices for sheep equipment (stand-alone creep feeder, livestock panels, etc) and I am shocked at the prices. Before having a job, I would've just asked my parents to purchase these things for me without really understanding how much they are. Now, I think to myself I could build something for 1/4 of the cost or less! Making $7.40/hour makes you think of ways to save money, haha. It would be different if I had a larger flock and could justify the cost of having a $500 creep feeder, but I don't, so I will stick with one I can make for $50 or less. Maybe if I had a larger flock and a really nice barn I would buy all aluminum panels and feeders and everything will look so pristine, but until then... weathered wood for me!