I’m just checking out the Windows Live Writer capabilities … what do you think of these photo albums?
These are the birth pictures of Rosemary’s twin lambs. They are just lovely, although I’m waiting for Babette’s (black lamb) fleece to improve. Paris has a lovely, fine, crimpy fleece, and is sooo gentle. Babette is a bit of a mitt-ful, on the other hand.
We’ve taken some of the moms out, with and without lambs, on to the front lawn to graze (the grass is always greener over the septic tank :-P). And I’ve been taking great pains with the electric fence; there is a coyote/wolf crisis in the county right now.
Bill Stearman's Willow Garden Shetlands (Kivu’s breeder) lost six purebred Shetland lambs this week to one ornery coyote, and my NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR has lost four full grown cattle to a pack of them. It’s really, really bad. We only use temporary fencing … six strand electric fence called “ElectraNet” which is especially designed for sheep. Up until now, the coyotes have shown it some respect. The last week in July and first week of August, we usually have a few days of newly-hunting puppies hitting the fence at night. Much yelping and carrying on results from this :-). Other things we do? The dog is allowed to circle the sheep pasture regularly, marking his territory.
Truthfully, the coyotes could jump this fence with ease. Thankfully, they always check low before they jump … so far … and once they are zapped they yelp and back off silently into the bush.
And yes … I pray … an extra hedge of protection around the sheep as I lay in bed.
I was shopping in Sobey’s two weeks ago, and commented to Iain that the leg of lamb (frozen and flown in from NZ!) in the meat section cost almost the same as what it costs us to take a whole lamb to the abbatoir. I was overheard by two men shopping nearby, who then promptly begged me to sell them farm-gate lamb. I often wish we were in a position to overwinter more sheep and officially sell lamb; that we had a GST number and official zoning. I know we could sell at least 10 or more lambs every year direct to consumer. There is a great market for lamb in Ontario. And there is so much to be said for “happy” livestock … livestock handled well (spoiled, heh heh) from birth, well fed, relaxed and happy prior to slaughter. The meat is extraordinary. It’s a far cry from feedlot lamb.
I am so far behind in posting I can’t believe it … I will continue to catch up as I can, amidst gardening and chores :-). Enjoy the day!
2 comments:
Oh I could NEVER eat those adorable little fellas.
Never!
It becomes easier when those adorable little fellow grow up ... and get hormonal ... and try to take you out when you are feeding them. Last year we had one so nasty that I "may" have considered doing the deed myself if I'd had to keep him any longer! It sounds callous, but it's true :-)
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