Teresa & Mike CHS - Our journal

[Xerocles]

I need to work my sheep. Ran out of gloves and couldn't find any. Bare fingers up a sheep's butt just ain't happenin'. Finally found some, but have been at DD's beck and call, babysitting the little grand daughters. We'll have them From Wednesday morning to Thursday night-as they pull out for Odessa. Maybe after that I can get my mind back on taking care of business and dedicate several days to collect fecal samples, trimming feet and sit at the table looking through a microscope until my eyes cross.

Do you see it as your job to discourage me from having brush eating beasties, or is this just one of the perks? Originally, I wanted goats. Then, following all the folk on here, I figured goats are just too much of a PITA to be worth it. Then I hear about Katahdin hair sheep. Developed to keep powerlines clean. Brush eating, parasite resistant, low maintainence, easy birthing, "make sure I got water and then don't worry about me" kind of animals. Even located a Kat. Farm about 25 miles away.
NOW you're talking about poop digging, microscope staring. Next you'll be telling me about sitting up all night to assist with birthing! I certainly don't want animals that are more high maintenance than my children were when they were at pre-K age. (And I never looked at THEIR poop under a microscope).
Sighhhhhh.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Maybe ya can use some dishwashing gloves....be sure to use some ky jelly.... ......I know ya will enjoy your time with gds.........they get some pretty stiff winds out Odessa-Midland way....been thru there many times....

 

[Mike CHS]

We had an almost full box of gloves when the chaos started and happened on an unopened box in my shop finishing area.

I opened the gates before going around to the other side of the field with Lance on the Ranger. By the time we got half way around I could see that the sheep were already at the shop. I don't want him to lose confidence over not getting to work so I let him go in and cut a few out and let him work them out and away from the sheep. He hasn't done that in a long time and it is really hard for a dog to get sheep to leave the herd but he did.

 

[Bruce]

I asked Lance if he "wanna work" and he has been staring at me ever since.

And you haven't been able to move because he has you "held"!

 

[Mike CHS]

And you haven't been able to move because he has you "held"!

He is about as intense as a Border Collie can get. They have a one track mind which is what makes them do what they do so well.

 

[Baymule]

Do you see it as your job to discourage me from having brush eating beasties, or is this just one of the perks? Originally, I wanted goats. Then, following all the folk on here, I figured goats are just too much of a PITA to be worth it. Then I hear about Katahdin hair sheep. Developed to keep powerlines clean. Brush eating, parasite resistant, low maintainence, easy birthing, "make sure I got water and then don't worry about me" kind of animals. Even located a Kat. Farm about 25 miles away.
NOW you're talking about poop digging, microscope staring. Next you'll be telling me about sitting up all night to assist with birthing! I certainly don't want animals that are more high maintenance than my children were when they were at pre-K age. (And I never looked at THEIR poop under a microscope).
Sighhhhhh.

I don't assist births. If I had to be a midwife, I would certainly help the first time a ewe got in trouble. If there was a second time, she would go on the cull list and I would not keep any of her offspring. A fecal exam gives finite numbers of parasite infestation. Identifying which sheep have high numbers and must be wormed a lot puts them on the cull list. Low numbers moves them to the front of the line. It is a tool in maintaining the health of the flock. Not trying to gross you out, I think you pretty much can't be grossed out. It just sounds like something you don't want to do. It's not something that I would call fun, but It was fun when Teresa taught me how and it was fun when I taught @Devonviolet and @Ridgetop how. Being able to take better care of my flock makes me happy and if that includes some dirty work, well I'll just jump in and do it. Suck it up buttercup. BWA-HA-HA-HA

 

[Mike CHS]

I don't assist births. If I had to be a midwife, I would certainly help the first time a ewe got in trouble. If there was a second time, she would go on the cull list and I would not keep any of her offspring. A fecal exam gives finite numbers of parasite infestation. Identifying which sheep have high numbers and must be wormed a lot puts them on the cull list. Low numbers moves them to the front of the line. It is a tool in maintaining the health of the flock. Not trying to gross you out, I think you pretty much can't be grossed out. It just sounds like something you don't want to do. It's not something that I would call fun, but It was fun when Teresa taught me how and it was fun when I taught @Devonviolet and @Ridgetop how. Being able to take better care of my flock makes me happy and if that includes some dirty work, well I'll just jump in and do it. Suck it up buttercup. BWA-HA-HA-HA

I started to answer that earlier but figured you would do a better job so I didn't. I was right.

 

[Baymule]

I started to answer that earlier but figured you would do a better job so I didn't. I was right.

Haha you know me and my big mouth!

 

[Ridgetop]

While I enjoyed learning how to do worm tests with Bay and Devonviolet, I would rather pull a lamb or kid (live of course). So satisfying to see them come alive and stagger up. Worm poop, not so much. However it needs to be done. This summer my oldest DGS has said he will help me. He is into science. Family bonding.

 

[Baymule]

While I enjoyed learning how to do worm tests with Bay and Devonviolet, I would rather pull a lamb or kid (live of course). So satisfying to see them come alive and stagger up. Worm poop, not so much. However it needs to be done. This summer my oldest DGS has said he will help me. He is into science. Family bonding.

I would certainly pull a live lamb, saving it and the mother's life. She would get another chance, but if a habitual assisted birth mother, I would get rid of her. My girls usually have their lambs and surprise me in the mornings. It is a nice system and I like it. LOL Haven't had to assist a birth, have been lucky enough to watch a few, but no midwife duties.