Friday, May 16, 2014

Such a relief!

I just sold 8 ewes and 10 lambs tonight!!! All my hair sheep and lambs. Oh my goodness, I feel so much better right now. It was really getting bad around here for me. I was dreading going outside any more. 32 sheep and lambs is just way too many. Plus 9 kids and 6 does. 2 alpacas. 10 hens and a rooster. 2 dogs and 6 cats. And now 2 hives of bees.

So now I have 6 Finn ewes and 6 Finn lambs. I still have 2 of the hair lambs that a friend is getting next weekend. I have all 4 of Amarillo's quads, 2 rams and 2 ewes, Adelaide's ewe lamb, Adele's ewe lamb. That's it.12 sheep. I will try to sell Adele and Darla. They are not full Finn. And possibly Annabelle and Buttercup. I'll see next week when they are all sheared, who I want to keep for their wool.

I'm going to castrate the  2 ram lambs in the next few weeks. And the ewes will be sheared finally, hopefully, next Sunday, weather permitting. So they should all be happy and have more to eat soon. I will not breed any of these sheep again. It's just too much for me.

I would really like to sell Zarah and her 2 beautiful doe kids. And Penelope. And 3 buck kids. And take my 2 borrowed does back to their farm. That will leave me with 2 does in milk and 4 doe kids. So much more manageable.

It sure takes a lot for me to learn what I need to do and not do. I was about to go crazy here. When it's not fun any more, something has to give. I still have some changes to make and animals to let go. I will get there eventually. Right now, tonight, it just feels good to know I only have 14 sheep out in the pasture.

2 comments:

Betty Ann said...

...and a partridge in a pear tree...You forgot to add those to your menagerie!! Humor aside, Bob and I are happy for you that you have reduced your livestock to something more manageable. Farming is certainly a continuous learning experience. Sort of like the dinosaurs. Kristin says God maybe thought Oops!! They're no fun!! And so He tried again and made US. If He can keep trying, So can we! You go girl!

Kris said...

I know. I'm always learning something. And usually the hard way! Like turkeys. And ducks. And meat birds. It's fun starting out, but gets old after awhile.

It's still way too noisy out there. Those sheep are CRAZY! Darla is looking for her lamb. Charlotte and Claire are looking for their moms. And the others are just helping add to the craziness. Hopefully, they'll all settle down soon. And the grass will grow. It's supposed to rain this weekend again. Then SUN!