Like Lambs to the Slaughter

Our lambs have been safely delivered to the processor, we are using Wisconsin River Meats out of Mauston. They will be ready for pick-up in the form of chops and steaks in about a week. I think I'll take their pictures down in my classroom, kind of unappetizing.

Bye Bye Sheep

Erik, Hilda and Matilda just headed off to their new home. Their new owners seem like lovely people, very informative regarding the art of sheep raising- (shepherding?) We learned a lot and definitely plan to try again in the future. The key to successfully raising stock such as sheep, (as Shelly our new friend informed us,) is to be prepared PRIOR to acquiring the animals.
She also told us about a wool festival near West Bend area end of October, which we hope to check out. Another note, according to Shelly and a couple other people who called regarding the Craigslist post selling the sheep, it is very likely that Erik is California Red, but the two ewes are not typical representatives of that breed.

Sheep "Going Rogue"

Just as good fences make good neighbors...good fences also make good farmers. Here you see our California Red sheep, Erik, Hilda and Matilda, enjoying our tender yard grass and moments away from nibbling (and trampling) the last beet crop. Erik, Hilda and Matilda are lucky we are not gun owners.

We used the electric line-wire fencing to enclose our sheep grazing area. The fence had been working fine so far this year, after we figured out using weed killer on the fence line is not bad land stewardship. As Mom says, "even the UW extension uses Round-up!" Round-up is animal safe, only stays in the ground a few days, and is Kaaren's new best-friend. The wire-line fence was inexpensive, relatively easy for (Shermen) to install, and doing the job of keeping the sheep in. Last winter, our ewes (Hilda & Matilda) lambed 2 males. Shermen and I castrated the lambs ourselves, using the rubber band method with a tool from Farm-n-Fleet. I thought the job went swimmingly, the boys appeared untraumatized, and we even gave them tetanus shots to prevent infection. Apparently, (we later found out from the sheep shearer man) we missed the actual testicles?testes? and merely trimmed up the sacs a bit. While the little rams were probably still rendered sterile, (due to the killingly close proximity of sperm to body heat,) around August they started getting that adolescent flood of male hormones which rendered them impervious to our silly little wire line electric fence.

Wire line fencing snaps easily, and also stretches. The little fiberglass posts that support the line bends and the little yellow plastic things that attach the line to the post detach with just a moderate amount of pressure. You can mend the snapped fence line with little crimpers, but then you have a weak point. I'm not sure, but numerous repair points in a line probably inhibit the electrical flow also.

There is a better type of electrical fencing called "webbing" which is made of material similar in appearance to a dog's leash, but also much more expensive. Plain old woven wire fencing, about 4 feet high is also effective for sheep, doesn't require electricity to work, but does require metal posts for support. At around 5$ a post, this can become a pricey process.

We are knee deep in the home renovation situation, and out of $$$. The guy we bought the sheep from doesnt want them back, as he has switched to a strictly dairy stock of sheep. The little rams are safe and cozy in the barn, fattening up on a diet of strictly corn and grain, getting ready for market. (A pure grass diet may be healthier but is less palatable for most people.) Erik, Hilda and Matilda are in the front yard nibbling on our willow.

Craig's List posts ads for free.

Garlic Scapes

Our garlic has started shooting out these lovely garlic scapes. Apparently they are quite delicious, and must be cut so the plant puts it's energy into producing bulbs. I've been putting it off because they are so graceful and lovely to look at. I think some of the kidney shaped swirls echo the organic shapes in a Joan Miro painting. Today is the day.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-Food/2005-10-01/Garlic-Scapes.aspx

Sheep Bloat: Cause, Symptom, Cure

Our usual winter sheep feed is a round bale of hay, supplemented with feed mix prepared by a local mill and purchased in 500 lb minimums. We ran out of the mix, so I grabbed a bag of cracked corn from Farm-n-Fleet to tide us over until I could get back to the mill. We were feeding the sheep about 2 large coffee containers full of cracked corn with a bunch of dry hay once daily. At the end of the bag of corn, we poured out the remainder for the sheep to eat up, about twice to three times the usual amount. Bad move. Apparently, sheep are extremely sensitive to any changes in their diet. The next day, a Sunday, I noticed one ewe standing away from the group, totally uninterested in eating. Her shoulders were sort of hunched up, and her head kept drooping down, her ears were droopy, her eyes glassy and she kept slowly closing then snapping them open when she brought her head up. She still ran from me when I tried to catch her, but had very little energy and once caught, was very docile and didn't really struggle to get away. Closer inspection revealed a rock hard and bloated tummy, that sounded hollow when tapped, and when moved, you could hear water gurgling around inside.

I researched the web and the text book the FFA teacher at school loaned me and learned that she probably had "bloat." She had "feed bloat" caused by excess fermentation of grain intake. The other kind is "frothy bloat" caused when sheep are released onto full green pasture, covered with dew sometimes, and they gorge themselves on green material after winter of dry hay. Both are very dangerous for the animal and can be fatal. It was Sunday, and I didnt have any large animal vet contacts, so we gave the treatments found on the web, (below) and hoped for the best.
The next day, Monday morning, I checked in before work, and the ewe was now down, with her head up, but wouldnt get up at all. At work I was finally able to get in touch with a large animal vet, his opinion was dire. He confirmed that it was probably bloat, and had same advise for treatment that I'd found on the internet (below.) He was very kind, but predicted she would probably be dead by the time I got home from work. His only suggestion was to continue to treat and wish for the best. I raced home during my lunch and ran up to the sheep barn still in my "teacher clothes" to check on my sick ewe. She was up and active, her tummy flatter and much more pliable, and she was eating hay! I gave the whole group a quick dose of the dry baking soda per the vets advise, and Hilda (the sick ewe) one more big drink of the soda water mix.

Treatment for sheep bloat can run to the extreme, in dire cases they suggest puncturing the side of the sheep to quickly release excess gas to prevent death from collapsed lung. Thank god we spotted our bloated sheep in time, and were able to cure the bloat by:

1. 1. Removing all grain feed, replacing with only dry hay
   
   
2. Feeding the bloated sheep mix of baking soda, water and mineral oil- about ½ cup soda, ¾ cup warm water to dissolve soda, plus a couple tbsp mineral oil. I didnt have any large syringes to administer the mix, so I used an old plastic Dasani water bottle.
   
3. Manually massaging, (gently) the bloated tummy to help force out gas
   
4. Encouraging the ewe to walk to help eliminate gas
   
5. Feeding other sheep dry baking soda in a pan, they help themselves to a few bites, to prevent bloat in rest of flock
   

The one good outcome from this scary situation, Hilda the sick ewe, is now much more tame due to all the handling. She is actually eating out of my hand.

The Emasculator

Poor poor Martin and Tuesday....operation Rubber Band = mission accomplished. Tetanus shot = check. It's now been 1 week and the "boys" seem fine, healthy and active.

Tail Docking

It is a balmy 40 degrees out on this sunny Saturday morn....we are ready to open all the windows and let this dusty old home air out a bit. Our lovely pink abode is an island in a sea of mud, gray ice and post-construction piles; but that warm air hinting at Spring wont let the mess(es) get me down.

One of our "to-do's" for today is tail docking on Marti our lamb. Note I am sitting here rather than getting right to it. Farm and Fleet sells the supplies, (little rubber bands & tool,) as well as a tetanus shot to give the poor beast to prevent infection. I guess you (are supposed) to do this when they are very young so that if they have the scours, it doesnt fester up under their rear and cause maggots! Gah! Marti didnt seem to have the wicked scours, and I just havent been able bring myself to be the cause of fear and pain for her. We are trying to make friends, not enemies. I think I'll have Shermen do it.

New Baby Lamb

While feeding the sheep and chickens today after work, I noticed Daisy our Lab creating a commotion in the sheep pen…closer inspection revealed a little lamb! The most adorable thing I've ever seen….brand spanking new and TOTALLY unexpected. We thought these "things" happened in the spring, not mid-January Wisconsin. Thank goodness Matilda (the ewe) chose today- this most auspicious of days, Martin Luther King Jr. day, rather than a couple days ago when the temperatures we dangerously below zero.

Now I am in a bit of a panic, researching the web, trying to figure out what exactly we need to do to give our new baby Martin the best chances of survival. Hypothermia is an obvious issue, however, tempting as it is to bring the baby into our nice warm home to snuggle and keep toasty, the research says warming beds should only be last resort. Best situation is to keep the lamb with the ewe. Check that the mouth is warm and the lamb is feeding, not lethargic or apathetic about feeding. There seems to be a yellow tint to the amniotic residue, (these are totally non-vet terms,) but the research indicates this yellow tint is result of birth stress, and one of the causes of birth stress is "inexperienced shepherding." I was all prepared back in summer/fall for something like this, bought the extra vitamins, or "drench" and syringe and kept checking the ewes to look for evidence they were carrying twins. But nothing happened, so I just figured we would have to wait for next year. We don't even have iodine to spray on the cord.

I've been up to the barn checking on them a few times now, and plan to go up once more before calling it a night. Martin seems healthy, he/she is walking around and not shivering or anything like that. He's feeding vigorously and baahing in a way that sounds healthy not scary. He has a little diarrhea on his backside, but not much, and it's dark. Scary sounding "scours" which lead to dehydration and death are yellow or pale. I will check again in the morning, if they are worse I guess I'll have to call in to work in the morning to get hydration and electrolytes etc for him. Hopefully fate will smile on us with this first one. Pictures coming soon!