Teresa & Mike CHS - Our journal

[Mike CHS]

I opened up the two main paddocks as there is some new grass there that I want the sheep to eat down so I can plant some grass seed next week. All together there is a bit over 8 acres that the sheep are spread out on and Mel has been having a hard time figuring out where to set up watch. I was out and watched him pick a spot and you could watch him turning his head trying to see where everyone was then he would get up and try another spot. That went on for about 15 minutes until he figured out he could see everyone from the top of the hill and now he is staying put.

 

[Baymule]

Mel is a heart dog. He certainly captured hearts here on BYH.

 

[Mike CHS]

Mel is a heart dog. He certainly captured hearts here on BYH.

It took about three minutes for him to capture mine. I've never heard a booming bark as loud as his. Good thing the neighbors aren't too close.

 

[Mike CHS]

Teresa went to Indiana to help an old friend prepare her house for a daughters wedding. I just got off the phone with Teresa and when I answered her call she said "All I can say is OMG". I guess besides being a terrible house keeper, she is also a hoarder so my Baby is going to have a long three days.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Poor Teresa, that is going to drive her crazy as organized as she is

 

[Mike CHS]

Teresa sounds beat but they are getting things done.

I have been using Mel and Maisy to bring the sheep down from the south end to the shop on the north end so I can give them some supplementary feed. The dogs hear the Ranger start up and head to the shop stall so they hope it's time for their feed and the sheep have figured out that's the signal to follow the dogs. Before they figured that out, I had to walk half way across so they could see me when I called to them so this works faster. I have been rotating the sheep in a quick rotation so they are getting new grass enough that they are ignoring the square bales that I have been breaking out for them. Calling them down to the shop stall lets me get the feed put out without getting mobbed and gets the ewes some feed while letting the lambs hit the creep feeder. Both of the sheep that had bottle jaw are looking better but one isn't improving as I would like. I will be surprised if we don't lose her so she needs a shot of Dectomax when Teresa gets back since that isn't a one person thing. That has worked on the extreme cases we have had but it's almost one of those cases where what you do either saves them or kills them.

We got payment this afternoon for the halves of the cows that are being processed. The totals for them and what feed we used for them brought in double what we had in them. Of course that isn't figuring any labor but that was a pretty good return on investment and we will wind up with a good amount of beef in the freezer.

 

[Baymule]

I’m sorry you have had so much trouble with worms. I’m sending one to slaughter that consistently has a “l can’t believe you aren’t dead!” Super high parasite count. I’ve had to really work at keeping the rest of them checked and wormed. My best ones got garlic barrier, but I’ve had some high counts. Even Ringo had 3 barber pole worm eggs. OH NO!!! I love that boy. He is shedding and will follow me anywhere if I am holding a brush. He and Trip compete for my attention. Trip will squeeze between me and Ringo, then Ringo swings his head and pushes Trip away. They are so funny.

 

[Mike CHS]

We give the garlic every time we work them and in quite a few cases that is the only treatment given.

 

[Bruce]

Of course that isn't figuring any labor but that was a pretty good return on investment and we will wind up with a good amount of beef in the freezer.

I'd say 100% return plus beef in the freezer is a financial position that can't be beat!

 

[farmerjan]

It still might be worth having a couple of feeders to raise and sell some beef and help keep down the grass when you cull down your flock of sheep. You only have to pen them to sell so now that you know what it takes, won't be such a big project next time.....