After driving over the hill to pick up 900 lbs of pork on Saturday, we spent much of the day re-organizing freezers to fit our share in and make room for the lamb. Luckily Shetlands are small, otherwise I'm not so sure we'd be able to fit all four into our freezers this weekend when we drive back over the hill to pick them up from the butcher's.
We've had a busy few weeks here, and most of our time has been spent re-building the little three-sided shed that Xavier tore down last April. The shed had been part of a 24' x 24' corral that we've also tried resurrecting, which will primarily be used for sorting sheep.
Today, in preparation for the lambs' departure tomorrow, I got a chance to use the new corral system. It worked! Within 30 minutes (including picture time!) I was able to sort the "lamb" from the sheep. Cedar (our new ram) was very easy to work with, and the hog panels were a nice psychological barrier for me.
Speaking of lamb...tomorrow afternoon I get to introduce Cedar to his new ladies! I think in recent years I've begun looking forward to this day more than my own birthday. This is when I can begin day-dreaming of Shetland lambs in April and all of their genetic possibilities. This is when I can actually use all of those biology classes and work through the genotypes and potential phenotypes of next year's lambs. I am so glad we have a breed of sheep that allows such day-dreams and excitement!
So, here he is...
Cedar and Otto (whether) enjoy the new shed. Cedar would prefer it if you ignored his burs.Cedar will be grouped with all seven breed-able ewes tomorrow: Clover, Crystal, Mocha, Poa, Wynona, Kira, and Maggie.
I'll post more pictures of later this week.
Good luck with the start of your breeding season. My guy went in with the girls a few weeks ago. Of course then we had a tree fall on our fence from the neighbors so now we will have to make repairs of our own. Good luck with your group and lambing in spring!
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