Sunday, April 28, 2019

Ask me...

how today went.
I dare ya!
It went sh*tty.
Literally...
It seems some lambs have bacterial issue .
I had to catch all who are not handled as much as they should be.
They were then brutally held down by a monster and forced to swallow toxic poisons.
Or so their loud constant screaming would suggest.
However I gave them meds and need to repeat for next few days.
Oh joy...
At the same time a ewe stuck her head through a cattle panel and stayed stuck for a time.
When I noticed I freed the *%$#%^ Ewe.
She thanked me by spewing diarrhea everywhere.
Most likely from stress but I dosed her with meds as well.
They are some namby pamby little beasts for sure.
At the slightest sign of change or stress they lose their minds.
She stuck her head through the panel not me.
Of course I may have be a little rough getting her unstuck as she slammed my fingers repeatedly.
Maybe...
Otherwise today was a good day.
I saw a friend and caught up over lunch.
And then to end my day I mowed my lawn.
So exciting NOT.
My neighbor lives to mow.
He mows at least 3 times a week.
So often you cannot see any lines of progress to follow.
Please tell me why?
What purpose it serves to have butchered grass ? 
In the heat of the summer it turns brown from excessive mowing.
I like to walk bare feet in my taller grass.
He is not impressed and mows a little more of the separating ditch line each time.
Go right ahead, no skin off my back.
Off my lawn, well yes.




Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Summer Heat


It would seem we skipped Spring and went to Mid-Summer weather in DE.
The nights are cooler which is spring but days are already approaching 80* most days.
Tarnation, drat, phooey....

Today I scurried to get some before summer jobs started but alas I had issues.
The riding mower battery isn't staying charged and I forgot and shut it off 
therefore I had to be towed out of the pasture .
It is on the list to check alternator and/or battery to fix.
I didn't complete all the riding mower work because of above.

Then I switched to the tractor and we hooked up the mower and off I went.
The pasture could wait some more but buttercups are starting and grass heads are up also.
I figured I'd mow it off and then pasture the ewes after weaning and after the fencing job that is coming up to divide the large pastures into three sections for better rotation of grasses.
But alas and anon to be.
After 3-4 passes which didn't constitute 1/4 of total area I heard a "metal" grating sound.
I looked back and saw the sleeve of the mower PTO shaft and part of the shaft flying off .
I watched as it sheared into 4 pieces while trying to shut the PTO off and the blades.
So thats a repair that will stall the mowing a bit longer.
But...


I did get to start the enormous 8 yr old at least burn pile roaring.
I am a pyromaniac at heart.
I watched it and kept it controlled after alerting 911 I was burning in case some moron  concerned citizen called in.
We have had that happen.
It is visibly out but will probably smolder all night.


At least something was accomplished today.


Thursday, April 18, 2019

Just gotta sometimes...

... get off some money to do it right.
I have reached the stage where I am tried of rigging everything.
I need to spend money on a new shearing machine for our sheep.
I am tired of piecing things together.
Here's to smoking my charge card.


The flowers are still pretty but won't last long in this heat.
80* in April is ridiculous.
I am over this spring weather.

Friday, April 5, 2019

Season stopper...


Nice set of lambs out of first timers on both parents.
The ram was only 7 months old and small but he got the job done after a few heats.
Momma was a yearling when bred.
The lambs are big and healthy.
The yellow one was first and is a ewe.
The boy was 15 min later and a bit smaller but still nice sized.


Up and at em...
The milk spickets that is.
He is a cutie.




Mom went right to work cleaning them up.
What a way to usher in the night (1:30 am).
As long as everyone survived and is healthy I am happy.
I will sleep well tonight I imagine.
All over for another year.
5 ewes bred, all took.
8 lambs
2 rams
6 ewes
3 Border Leicesters
1 ram
2 ewes
All White
5 Lincoln Longwools
1 white Lincoln ram
4 Black/Natural ewes
What a jumbled list but wait till I have to arrange show season pens and pastures for all.
Young and Old...

GOODNIGHT


Image result for sheep jumping fence graphics