The Dogmother Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Oh dear! Will they get used to each other? We have a sheep with a blue bottom! - the black one. They should do *croses fingers* Woo hoo, brilliant news... I take it that the ram has proven fertility. More lambies next year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 21, 2008 Author Share Posted November 21, 2008 No, the ram hasn't been proved yet - we're doing that! .....much easier for a smallholder with other employment to find out if the ram is fertile - we can afford to not have lambs ( ) He was only born early this year. I'm counting the 147 days so that i can put it on the planner - and not accidentally make other plans in April! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I'll get me marigolds handy for then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Excellent with any luck we'll have spring lambies as well as spring chickies to look forward to on this forum . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 I have been thinking about Tom Hope the news is still positive Lesley. Any news of the performance' buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 24, 2008 Author Share Posted November 24, 2008 We now have two blue-bottomed ewes - dates written down........ Tom rallied slightly in the week, he's still going. He's still wobbly and falls over but he goes off on walkabouts and we can't find him so he must walk a distance! He still knows to wobble into the hall as fast as he can anytime I open the front door He has a good look around while I talk to the postman and is quite happy as long as the door is open. After speaking to the Vet I know that I can see how he is and just make a decision when the time comes which is good as I know he won't have to stay indoors in a confined space.....he will just have one last journey I'm happer now that the Vet said that.....but it's still not going to be an easy decision to make I'm not a 'pet' person .....and definitely never been a cat person....... but I do become attached to any animal in my care. I have to be careful now that I recognise if he becomes distressed....or his quality of life diminishes to an unacceptable level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Lesley, thanks for the update, where else could you read "We now have two blue-bottomed ewes" You are doing the best thing for Tom. It would be so stressful to him to be kept indoors etc that it would probably damage his health anyway. Spring lambs though hopefully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Yay some girlies have joined me in my wait. I hope it isnt a case of murphys law and the weather bad in april. I hope Tom is comfortable and that is just is obvious whens the right time for you to make a decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 25, 2008 Share Posted November 25, 2008 Just realised that Rosie and I are away with my folks for a week from 5th April.... your ewes MUST NOT lamb during that week I am relying on you to have stern words with them Lesley; I need to make up for the lack of lamby cuddles last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 26, 2008 Author Share Posted November 26, 2008 ooo-er!!! - I'll have words but I'm not sure they will listen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 Did you say that they are going to lamb indoors this year; which barn will you use? We had snow at that time last year... i remember because we spent 6 hours sat on the tarmac at Terminal 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 How come i've not spotted this thread before?! I've really enjoyed reading it, reminds me of my childhood Im an ex farmers daughter and did an agricultral course when i left school! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 22, 2008 Author Share Posted December 22, 2008 Quick update on Tom - he's still going and seems to have picked up a bit! He can still hobble fast to get wherever he wants and can jump into the hall so quickly He's stopped sleeping in his comfy bed in the porch and has taken to sleeping on the straw heap in the barn - probably where he used to sleep before.....maybe going back to his kittenhood........I'm glad he's still around for Christmas. We sent the black sheepskin that I cured to be organically tanned - it was returned today! We called the sheep 'black' but the fleece is actually more brown than black which is a shame but we still like it. Last year we had our first two sheepskins back - white ones - on Christmas Eve. They're not the cheapest thing to produce but it is still satisfying to know that they are being used. I've really missed having the turkeys this year, I love the noises they make and they are so friendly - but I have to admit that I'm not missing all the plucking! My elbow is still sore from last year We have one cockerel to be collected - by Claret - and he's ready to go. We've tidied up so much this autumn - the previous owners left so much mess The whole farm is looking so much better now and we go into a new year almost with a clean slate. The last paddock is nearly fenced - just finishing to be done on Christmas Eve. The small barn - maternity ward - is almost finished but we won't need that until April.........we still have the ram on loan but all the ewes are sporting bright blue bottoms This years paperwork is nearly up to date - I'll be able to work out all the costings for the pigs and make a decision about what we should do next year. We're looking forward to looking through seed catalogues over the holidays and choosing things to sow next year. Definitely a 'counting your blessings' time for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Lovely to hear that Lesley; it must be so satisfying to get everything straight. See you later for that chook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 glad to hear Tom is doing well and that you're more or less there with getting the farm as you want it. You've done so much work, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 27, 2008 Author Share Posted December 27, 2008 Hi Trish! The fencing was finished on Christmas Eve - no more big tractor to come and wreck the paddocks! We had a good walk around to look at everything yesterday - even we can see the difference now when we take the time to look! I haven't been well - still not well - and it's so good to be able to walk and not meet anyone! We're very fortunate We had an unexpected visitor yesterday - someone who had arranged to come today - I was building up to facing people today and was not prepared for visitors The one day of the year when we knew that no-one would call I was fuming - it's the height of bad manners really! (and from a man of the cloth!) I had managed a walk but had not brushed my hair, cleaned my teeth, dressed properly....... and had just settled down with two wheat bags, the baby cot duvet and a book...........fortunately, Carl just went straight out and showed them around as that is what they had arranged to do. We have a free day now though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Hope you enjoyed your free day Lesley - and managed to recharge your batteries! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Take it easy Lesley and set the dogs on any unannounced visitors! You can borrow my hound from hell if you like.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 sorry to hear you've been so unwell Lesley, tuck yourself up with that book again and get well soon, love Trish P.S. I should be back here more often now as LSH bought me a netbook for Christmas, now I don't have to fight a smelly teenager off the computer to be able to chat to people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 28, 2008 Author Share Posted December 28, 2008 I thought you'd been around more Trish! - nice to see you back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 Here is the 'black' sheepskin - as Nicki at Organic Sheepskins said.....it's a monster! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Looks lovely Lesley. Has someone been messing up your book shelf?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 The fleece is very soft too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 Has someone been messing up your book shelf?? Sorry! - not my bookshelves....that one is Carl's I do complain about it though forgot to say - the sheepskin is from a Herdwick/Suffolk cross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Lesley that is absolutely gorgeous, wow!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
