Won't Be Long Now

I've been noticing some uddering up from the ewes, so yesterday I went out and crutched everyone (sheared wool from their bellies and hind ends), vaccinated (with CD/T), and trimmed hooves.  I like to crutch the ewes every year because it really helps me see their udders and vulvas and predict lambing times.  I didn't write down breeding dates this year, and I normally do, so I sort of feel like I'm flying blind.  I'll have to be extra careful to pay attention to them and notice when they bag up.

It was hard to get decent pictures of the sheep, partly because my camera is not very good, and partly because the sheep don't really like it when I linger behind them while they're eating. Here are the pictures I did get, more for my records than anything. It's nice to look back and compare udder sizes.

The ram, below...not an udder.

Barley, below.  I think she's the farthest from lambing, but things could change.  

Barley (L) and Darla (R)

Darla (L) and Dixie (R) Dixie is Darla's ewe lamb, I bred her this year.  She's got the cutest little baby udder starting.  

Dixie (L) and Darla (R)

Bean (L), Ram (R)

So I'm sort of thinking Darla or Bean will be the first to lamb, followed by Dixie and then Barley....but that's just a guess.  I think I've got a couple of weeks before we have any lambs.  Hopefully the weather will be a bit more agreeable then.  

The Weekend in Pictures

I finally separated my doe #2 from her son, because she's due next week (not bred by her son). 

Doe #1 is due any day now.

The goats are still in the barn, at least for a few more days. 

Got another round bale.  Foolishly thought I could unwrap it and pile loose hay (all 1500lbs) in the barn.  Ended up with a horrible allergic reaction and half the bale still outside.

The "feed wagon" for the sheep.  Taking wagon loads of hay to feed, and piling on grain or whatever else needs to go that way. 

Buford had fun in the snow.

And so did Elmer...

Ram for Sale

It's time for some new blood in the flock, so I'm selling my 2 year old registered Southdown ram.  He's a proven breeder (I have a daughter of his) and he has always been well mannered.  If you're interested, please let me know!

Cold

It has been cold lately, colder than normal.  Here are some pictures of what goes on here when it's really cold.

Snuggling dogs














Yesterday morning before work I filled up the bird feeder and added 2 suet cakes (made by my mom-she makes the best suet).  When I got home the feeder was totally empty!  I refilled the seed, but they'll have to wait on suet...I'm out.

"Where's the suet?"

The sheep don't really care about the snow.  As you can see from their backs, they lay out in it.

The chickens aren't happy, but they're surviving.

There's lots of ice busting going on.  I love these black rubber bowls for water in the winter.  I can turn them over and stomp on them to break the ice out, with no damage to the bowl.

Sometimes the eggs freeze before I can get home from work to collect them.

And this is now David and Elmer snuggle, except usually Elmer's head is tucked down near David's shoulder.

I checked the 10 day forecast and we're not supposed to get above freezing until maybe January 31st.  It's going to be a long 10 days!

How to Spend a Snowy Afternoon

 

In Progress

My Scoop Neck Vest is coming along nicely.  This picture was taken Sunday, and I'm way farther than it shows in the picture.  I was hoping to have it finished and blocked by Friday night, but seeing as how tomorrow is Thursday I'm really thinking that won't happen. 

I'm knitting it in Fibranatura Mermaid, which I am loving so far. It's 42% cotton, 35% superwash merino wool, 12% silk, and 11% seacell (a fiber made from kelp!).  The colorway is called Turkish Tile.  I can't wait to have this thing finished so I can try it on!

Silent Sunday-Dog Shaming Edition

Sorry, not so silent.  Have you seen Dog Shaming?  Unfortunately we have our own entry now...   I think Buford (the one on the right) did it.  This is the work of 2 chewing sessions, and we think they're caused by our neighbors goose hunting.  We're thinking the dogs don't like the sound of their shotguns being fired repeatedly.  Goose season ends on the 29th, which can't come soon enough for me!