Time to mix things up...

I've been busy the last three days trying to get the sheep sorted and penned and ready for breeding. Since I've been working by myself, it's taken me longer than usual to get the fields in order and ready for the ram. So tomorrow is the big day when Cedar will finally get to be re-united with his ewes...that is, if all goes as planned.

When I sorted the ewes on Monday I had seven ewes mapped out for breeding, but things never seem to go as planned. (It's good to be flexible!) So Cedar will have 8 ewes this year because Poa was being a brat and apparently didn't want to be left out of the fun. As she's my second oldest ewe and she always produces correct lambs, I really didn't want to expend the energy to drag her into the non-breeding pen. Poa joins Crystal, Kira, Madeleine, Wynona, Maggie, Claire, and Edna to complete the 2012 breeding group.

When Cedar's done in mid-November I'd like to re-home him, whether it be in another flock or in the freezer. After this breeding cycle he will be too closely related to my flock, especially when it comes time for next year's breeding. He really has been well behaved, but I need to add some diversity and I just love his daughters too much. He's improved our flock so much that I really do need to sell some of the older ewes to make way for the new. He's listed on the NASSA site as registration number S30956. If anyone knows of someone looking for a ram, they can contact me at oldhomecrawford@gmail.com.

Even with all of the breeding sheep, that still leaves 4 wethers, 7 ewe lambs, 3 open adult ewes (Annie, Mocha, and Clover), and Lwaxanna, the rescue meat mutt.

The next decision is whether or not we breed the goats. I keep going back and forth on this one - to have goat cheese, or to not have goat cheese. If it were that simple it would be a no-brainer, but with the freshening and the kids and the milking, I'm not sure that I want to take on that kind of commitment.

Seasons come and go...

You can always tell the season's changing if you watch your flock. A few weeks ago I was seeing lots of lip curling from the rams (see example to the right) and head-butting between the ladies. It seems to me that the sheep can tell the seasons have shifted, which means it's time to consider who will be bred this year. I've already decided to sell Cedar after this season, as next year I will have several of his daughters to breed. I really don't like the idea of having multiple rams, so he'll have to find another home.

As for now, he's been excellent with the ram lambs. Yes, some of his sons have tried challenging him, even if they are half his size. But Cedar always responds with a quick throw of the head and they know to back down. He's even stepped in upon occasion when the brotherly fights get out of control, or when Otto tries to be the big bully wether. And his boys certainly are fond of him. Many times I've seen them rubbing their faces into his neck wool. Perhaps it's the teenage sheep version of cologne? Whatever the reason, Cedar proudly offers his scents and willingly takes the affection. 

So, on to next year's lambs. This year the process was more about who not to breed, primarily for promoting as much genetic diversity as I can using one ram. Some of my favorite girls will be sitting on the sidelines, but nevertheless I am still very excited about what lambing possibilities exist.

Crystal will be up for her third breeding here at Old Home Crawford. Last year she had twin ram HST lambs, this year twin surviving ewes (a ram lamb died at birth), and her lambs are always so friendly!

Wynona will be bred again - if she cooperates and joins the group. Two years ago she wouldn't switch pens so I had to leave her open. Last year she jumped in to the mix. Hopefully this year I can convince her it's a good idea. Her lambs are always structurally correct.  This may be her last year breeding, as she'll be 9 this year. I'm hoping for another ewe out of her. With triplets this past year, I'm hoping for at least one solid ewe out of her before she retires. Wynona is a solid moorit that carries spotting.

Maggie has been an excellent mother this year to her lambs. As Wynona's daughter, I've been pleasantly surprised by her mild manners and sweet personality. Maggie is a speckled-faced fawn who carries the HST pattern. I'm hoping she'll produce a nice HST moorit ewe for me someday.

 Kira will be bred for her third season here as well. Here ewe lambs are always so friendly, and her rams almost make great rams - if only those horns would curve a few more inches away from their faces! She is a very light grey ewe who has given us two sets of twins. Last year she has twin musket lambs, and this year she had twin grey lambs. Her lambs always have the most downy fleece with a shorter staple length. 


And this year Kira's daughter, Madeleine, will be bred. Maddie is the friendliest ewe, and is often aggressively affectionate. She always knows where the treats are and will do almost anything to get them from you. She rams other sheep out of the way if she feels she's being neglected. As a lamb she would crawl into my lap and fall asleep. This ewe really is more like a dog than a sheep. I'm excited to see what this spotted musket produces when crossed with a solid black.


The other two ewes that will be bred this year are Mocha's Edna and Poa's Claire.  Mocha and Poa will take the year off, but their daughters will continue their lines. Edna is a moorit with a white star and Claire is a mioget with white face markings. Both are yearling ewes who will be bred for the first time.

To recap, Cedar will be exposed to seven ewes again this year; however, this year there will be many more spots involved and the possibility for more colors. Most of the lambs will probably have white-spotted faces, and there is the possibility for more greys or modified colors.

Mocha, Poa, and Clover are taking the year off. Poa's other yearling ewe, Annie, will also remain open (- I think). With four ewes out of Poa in two years, I felt it was best to limit this line.

 And just because it fits the season, the dogs wanted to show off their hunter-orange outfits.