Sheep in the Orchard

Well, for the last few weeks I have been camping with the sheep in an almond orchard not far from the house. The orchard is owned by our cousins, and has a lovely green carpet of grass, and filaree which the sheep love! For those not familiar with filaree by its common name it is the purple flowered little weed that also goes by *$%^&*%$@*  when its' nasty corkscrew seeds get stuck in your socks, dog, or anything else you don't want them in... but, it is good sheep feed when it hasn't gone to seed.

The sheep are doing exceptionally well in the orchard, and I personally enjoy tending them! I do wish I had 300 to make it worth my time, but I suppose good things come to those who wait...hmm maybe not the best phrase for me to list considering my lack of patience. They are packing on the fleece amazingly well though. In fact, so much so I am thinking of shearing everybody again before lambing.... make the girls a bit more sensitive to their lambs' naked state! It will also protect the fleece from having a break in the middle. Even more than packing the wool on, they are really starting to rock the baby paunches! I love it, my mighty merinos are less than four weeks out, and they are really showing it.

Second load of sheep ready to unload at the house using the new ramp my father built for me for Xmas! It is amazing, and breaks down into its separate components! It was great to get to work on a project with my father, and the ramp makes loading rams/ multiple sheep a breeze! Should make hauling jobs a lot better!

My brother, and number one helper (whether he likes it or not poor thing), and the second half  of the flock loaded on the truck! The ramp is already broken down, and packed up, and the sheep are comfortably waiting to go home. The sheep don't hardly stress anymore about traveling, as every time they go somewhere new there is better feed, and always grain in the truck to make loading a breeze!

The holidays kinda messed up the grazing schedule abit, had to bring the girls home to go down south and visit my Grandparents, but it was worth the disruption! The sheep are still here at the house which has given me a chance to get quite a bit done at my parents place... like clean, or more fun- try to wash wool! Looks like I'm going to give spinning another try after all! Tomorrow looks like a morning of setting up fence, and hauling sheep, followed by picking up some supplies to try to make my own hackle, and wool comb! Oh, and I suppose packing....

The best part about being in the orchard with the sheep is the absolute peacefulness of the whole situation. Ollie O is there as my bodyguard, the sheep don't need moving too often with all the leaves, and I sleep better in my trailer than in the house anyway, even if there isn't a heater. I have taken a renewed interest in all things fibercraft to fill my days, along with of course exercising! My friends ask me, "how can you stay out there all day... with a bunch of sheep!? Don't you get bored?" The obvious answer is no! I can't even imagine being bored with the combination of FaceBook on my phone, and friends calling, Ollie always needing a run, a pair of knitting needles in my hands, and sheep outside my "porch" in constant need of attention... and now even more wool and things to tinker with!

I hope your holidays are treating you right, good luck and an early Happy New Years!

Until next time....

Mighty Merinos

Well I did it again. I found more sheep that I couldn't resist to bring home. Two beautiful Merinos from Mendenhall Wool Ranch! One is a quarter Dohne ewe, and the other is an older merino out of more standard merino type lines. I don't know exactly "who" she is other than her number, and according to Mrs. Mendenhall's web page, she is Madeline, and she shore an 18 micron fleece in 2010... so that is pretty exciting. She is supposed to be bred to the ram "Montana" and is due around January 22. The little Dohne yearling is due around January 18, and is bred to this years Supreme Champion... so needless to say I am pretty excited and keeping my fingers crossed for lots of  ewelambs!

  Now, for those of you that don't know what Dohne Merinos are, you are in for a treat! The Dohne Merino is a strain of merino derived out of Peppin Merinos, and SAMMs (South African Meat Merino), and selected through a rigorous grading system. They where developed by the South African government, in a successful attempt to create a hardier more profitable merino. They are generally in the 18-21 micron range, are cleaner faced, planer bodied, more muscular, and also more prolific than a regular merino, not to mention they are POLLED! In my own very non professional terms, I think that they are officially pretty cute, and sound about like what I am looking for in a good ewe. From a shearers standpoint they look even better... short clean legs, clean faces, and good shearing hides! Eh! They just made top of my list for ideal sheep to have. That little yearling was the best shearing sheep I came across while I sheared the prestigious Mendenhall Merino flock, and I'm very grateful that she was able to let her go so she could come work in my program. 

Here are some photos of the flock so far. It has grown quite a bit since I started the blog, but by acquisition, so as you can imagine I am so excited to get to see it grow solely by replication this spring! I can't hardly wait to see what I get between  merino genetics and my little rambouillets! Their tight flocking instinct, curiouse and docile nature, and short legged compact bodies, make them somewhat of a favorite for me, so if I can get all of that plus next step up fleeces I will be quite the happy camper!



Number 74 or 2 is probably my favorite pest! She has a nice fleece for a commercial rambouillet, and a winning easy going temperament... She made herself somewhat of a pet, so she better make it easy on me and have nice lambs this spring!




This is 74's wool up in front of her shoulder. Its not to much different midside, although it does open up slightly going towards the britch.



Here is an over the top of  the biggest pest Mack, and his partner in crime 74. Its interesting to note how different their fleeces appear. Being pure Merino, Mack's fleece is much denser, so much so that he never did get wet to the skin in the last rain. He also is lacking in any yellow color to his grease, and shears a beautiful pure white fleece, that combs nicely.

Mack, and one of his newest friends "Madeline" or 7022. She is a nice older ewe with a very fine, bright, dense fleece, and a set of good teeth in her head. Being here in our dry climate has already worked wonders for her poor feet. I'm glad that she has come to join  my flock, and look forward to seeing what she will give me in January! 



I tried to get a picture of the quarter Dohne yearling, aka. 11, but she is a bit camera shy. She is a lovely solid little ewe with just the right length of leg to fit in with my bunch. Hopefully by next fall we will be able to either have her AI'd with pure Dohne semen, or be having Dohne embryos from Australia transferred into her and all the younger ewes, for an automatic grade up to the real deal.




Rear view of number 11. If I could change anything, and in this order, it would be: a more bare breech, and about 2in. more depth on that leg. Either way, I really enjoy her the way she is, and still think that she was a wise addition to the Four Points Flock! Oh, yeah, and look... not a breech wrinkle to be found!



Sheep, Garden, and Critter News!



Certain things in the garden are finally coming to an end, and others just beginning! Most of the corn has been harvested, boiled, and frozen for later consumption by now, the broccoli has bolted, the cabbages are coleslawed, beans bagged, and the taters dug. Now for those traditional summer goodies! The Okra is just kicking in. with 90 someott plants, they should keep me pickling quite consistently, the tomatoes... Ooooh the tomatoes. I'm actually quite intimated by the thought of their coming round... I will be in la cucina nonstop! Lets not even talk about tomatillos, and we can't forget even more sweet corn! Yep, 40lbs wasn't quite enough. I will be busy for quite some time! I need to get a bit more creative with it I think!



Some patty squash to add to the other summer delights

 For other creature news... Four Points Farms now officially has ducks. Mystery ducks, and Muscovy ducks! The mystery ducks came to us as little yellow rescues. I have no idea what kind of duck they are, but they are getting beautiful plumage! If anyone could comment on what they think that they are  that would be great, and please let me know what that color is called! The Muscovy ducks, are doing quite well. They met the day we ended up with them, and now have seven eggs together. All the ducks seem happy, although unfortunately the Muscovies broke two of the younger ducks wings, making them sit at an awkward angle.




The Muscovies and the Mysteries!



Muscovy eggs

The sheep are doing excellent. There are officially four new additions. They passed their OPP and Johnes tests with honors! They are grade Rambouillet ewe lambs that I took on trade for some shearing. I think they will fit in well here, and have a bit to offer. They where born January 2011, are about 65lbs, and at shearing(approx. 6mo.) had between 63 and 75mm. staple length. (2.5-3in). If I where to give micron an educated guess, I would put them all under 20. A few of the traits that I truly appreciate about these sheep are their open faces, nice crimp, plain bodies, and high lambing percentage (165%). They are also very good mothers, and flock very tightly.



Don't wory, just a little spilt Iodine. I was dipping the tails, and retreating a few nicks that had gotten soupy from the flies.


Just as good as getting the sheep on trade was getting to work my dog Ollie for the first time on sheep! I wish I had pictures, but I was a bit to busy. Most farmers won't let me work Ollie, because they think he's a pit mix. He was awesome for his first ever chance to work chutes! Running back, and forth, using his deep bark, and feet to pack the sheep tight. If the fences would have been a bit more solid I could have done quite a bit more with him actually using him off leash. He even got to work on the open field! He and I walked up behind the 75 or so ewes with lambs, and began driving them up to the night pen! He even found some strays with newborn lambs on his own, and with a bit of help and guidance drove them to the main group. I was super impressed with him to say the least! He may not have any outrun, but he sure can drive, and proved himself at least to me that he can hold his own stacking stubborn finewools in the shed! Now I finally know how great it feels to get to brag on a dog! He's always been my buddy, and guard dog, but now he is officially a working dog!



New Rambouillets enjoyin an afternoon snack.

 

 

 









What a "Ladies Ram"



It finally happened! I found a ram to use over my lovely ladies. Meet Mac, also known as Mendenhall 8149. He is a registered Delaine Merino from the highly commended Mendenhall Wool Ranch. Mac is by a Mendenhall Ram, and out of a Rafter 7 ewe. Rafter 7 is one of the other of the finest Merino producers in the country. Mac also managed to receive the title of Reserve Champion Ram at the CA State fair, 2010.

Mac's wool at 7mo. growth. It will be re micron tested in Nov.

If you're curious about Mac's wool, his breeding and this photo speak for themselves. He tested in at 22 microns last shearing, and sheared a 4.5" stapled fleece last November. I had to take a picture today, mind you its only at 7mo. wool growth, and already over 2"! Absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to see what he will do for me this spring, and next fall!

Other new happenings are totally garden related! Cabbages are gleaming, corn is sky high, and the tomatillos are out of control. The Killdeers haven't hatched yet, but they should be arriving soon. Oooo, and can't forget those fun colored potatoes. The taters have began to piter, and I will probably have to pull water and top them in a matter of weeks! Those blue potatoes are awesome. I have managed to use them in stews, and roasts so far, but can't wait to get the full effect with blue potato salad, and BLUE mashed potatoes... absolutely awesome!

Seven + foot tall

This corn has seven ears!

One of my favorite birds, the Killdeer. She is doing her best broken wing dance.

Here she is following me, and calling... trying to distract me from her nest.

Some seriously out of control Cole crops!

Some homely pitering potatoes. Getting ready for
 the harvest! The ones on the right are the blues.

Greener pastures? I think so. Soon the lovely ladies of four points will be moving into here!

The "high fashion" ladies of Four Points Farms wear their coats year round!

Christmas in May?


Maybe not, but it sure feels like it! Today the electrostop fence I ordered from Premier arrived!!! I am hoping that it will solve all my sheep jumping fences sorts of problems. On the fence itself I went all out, and bought the 42" height fencing. Unfortunately in my infinite cheapness, I did not order posts at the same time (shipping), instead purchasing them from TSC... I even called ahead. Of course, they didn't actually have the posts I inquired about, so hopefully the funky fiberglass ones will get the job done. I am so excited about the prospect of getting my pastures back in shape! I'm absolutely thrilled. I can run quite a few sheep on this little place when the pastures are in working order. The great thing about the sheep I have right now is that they are super thrifty, and not an ounce picky!    

If there edible then they aren't weeds in my book! I thought that this picture was funny  for the weed eaters happily at work next to a "weed eater." The sheep do a much nicer job... even picking the sticks out of the fence!


I made sure and stuck around long enough to see whether or not they would try to bolt through there new fence. That way if anybody did dart into it I could untangle them in time. There's nothing worse than finding one of your preciouse animals electrocuted to death in a fence. Yesterday I made sure, and fixed BB's hobbles just for that reason. She had gotten her hind foot loose, and what was the first thing she did? Try to jump the fence. Thankfully the rope caught in the top of the fence, and she did a bit of a faceplant into the deep grass on the other side! It doesn't sound nice, but at least it gave me the opportunity to catch her that I needed. Hobbles fixed she should get her nose in the new fence, instead of catching it mid air with her hind feet, and wrapping herself up in it.



Here is the new paddock all read for the sheep. You can see the energizer hanging on the gate, and the fence reel hanging on the fence next to it.





Just another view of the fence. This one shows the poly wire protecting the permanent fence.





The Paddock that the sheep just left. It doesn't look very tidy, but it is grazed well enough. The sheep had been here for 2.5 days, and where already tired of being on stale grass. I hadn't seen one eat all morning, and of course when I moved them they ate like they where starved.



The girls are looking so good, and little Yabbo too! They are much happier chowing down on fresh grass. I am going to make their spaces small enough that they need to be moved every day. Fresh grass= less parasites.



Here is the pasture the sheep came out of earlier. It is a bit overgrazed, but is recovering nicely. If anybody's wondering, yes I did take the mower to it to top the foxtail! Three sheep are not exactly enough to graze a quarter acre evenly without cross fencing. 

Abit Corny



The best invention ever! I love this little scoot along cart.
So far it has proved absolutely essential for punching drippers,
planting transplants, and quite frankly doing any thing
else that I don't want to have to bend over to do!



Well, I finally got to it..I planted more sweet corn. I had been stalling more than just a bit, because I absolutely resent punching drippers, but the promise of red, golden, and variegated ears of delicious sweet corn prompted me to get into gear. Plus, as a side note I have gotten pretty fast at dripper punching after putting in nearly 400 of them! I made sure, and planted the corn in a block this time, instead of planting it in one long row like the first  one... ooops. Live, and learn right? Anyway, one 10' x 3 row wide block of Ruby Queen Hybrid sweet corn is in. I'm going to plant some Silver Queen Hybrid tomorrow. Then over the next couple of weeks I will plant some more Silver Queen, and Kandy Korn Hybrid. I'm going to try to stagger the plantings so that I will have more consistent production. We'll see how well it works . I'm just hoping that I get a better germination rate than I did with that first row. I think I planted too early for sweet varieties last time. Soil was too cold, and the seed rotted. Same problem with the beans. The fall garden is going to be sooo much more organized! I can't wait. 

Yesterday we had our first harvest out of the garden! One very, VERY, large Kohlrabi! I have never eaten or grown Kohlrabi before, so it was quite a treat. It tastes very much like broccoli hearts. I do believe that we let this one get too big, as it was quite tough!  

The Mega-rabi! The giant leaves make it hard to tell just how huge the center really is!

Something else that you all might find as neat as I did was this Killdeer nest, that was hiding under a tomatillo plant! I've been seeing the Killdeer in the garden every day since I have been home, so I had a feeling that they had a nest somewhere, but I didn't expect to find it under a tomatillo! Maybe that is what has happened to all those pesky insects that I was dealing with earlier this year. I think that it really helps to have the pasture nearby so that they have a safe place to look for goodies. Seeing these little birds calling my garden home definitely makes me feel like I might be doing at least something right. Its a nice thought that I am getting the opportunity to grow food, and make a hospitable environment for natives at the same time!

The beautiful speckled eggs of the Killdeer. According to what I was reading yesterday, killdeer are insectivores that tend to like to nest in slight depressions in the ground. They are technically a shore bird, although they generally live far from water. Their range is from Canada all the way south to Peru!

Got Garden?

Well yesterday got finished with a some sense of accomplishment! I finally got my Okra planted, drippers punched, etc. The corn on the other hand.... not quite there yet, that's a mission for this afternoon. My poor okra transplants look like heck unfortunately. they just didn't weather being cooped up for an extra three weeks too well. I have faith that they'll snap to it though. Originally I was planning on planting just 75' of Okra, but my sweet potato slips didn't turn out to well... soo I'm glad I like pickling! What I didn't have in transplants I planted in seed. They will more than likely catch up quite quickly.

Also on the order for yesterday was fixing sprinklers. I absolutely hate digging up and flushing lines, but knew I had to finally get it done. With the idea of having sheep out here again I need to have my irrigation in top shape. I now only have one sprinkler left to fix... yay! Also, had to change on of the lines off of full rotation so that it wouldn't be spraying the garden. I'm trying to keep any excess water out, to help control the weeds... namely bermuda! Beautiful for a SoCal pasture, not so great when taking over the beans. Got a good look at my kohlrabies today, and man are they big! I have never eaten kohlrabi so I'm pretty excited. Ooo, and the broccolies are getting little dainty florets too. Not long now!

Oh, and the cucurbits are officially planted. Other than a few straggler cucumbers that I'm going to have to plant from seed, its looking good! There's watermelon, pumpkins for pie, Cinderella pumpkins, patty squash, crooknecks, butternuts, buttercups, and even Atlantic Giant Pumpkins... I'm really hoping to get one up to 700 lbs.! I decided to forgo trying to put drip in the patch, and have chosen instead to just go ahead and sprinkle irrigate. I'm going to inter plant clover as a living mulch, and then go ahead and flush the sheep on it in the fall. 

Ok, and for today. Well first order was to fix that blasted BB from jumping anymore fences. She quite frankly annihilated my poor asparagus. They where finally growing, and now they are sticks. Soooo, BB is now loosly cross hobbled. No more bolting, no more clearing fences. After watching the show ( you didn't think she appreciated having her feet tied together did you?) I caught her back up, and made sure her hobbles hadn't gotten any tighter. With her jumping temporarily curbed I felt safe moving the sheep into the pastures by the main garden. I won't be leaving the hobbles on for very long. Just until my electrostop fencing arrives on Friday. That should teach her enough respect for fences that she won't need them anymore. Even with the hobble situation, all the sheep look much happier in their new space. They will get fresh grass day after tomorrow. I really need about 4 more sheep to keep up with as much pasture as I have, and thankfully the rams will be coming soon enough! I'm not sure, I may end up getting one Targhee, and one Merino, or two Targhees. I haven't made up my mind yet, but know that I will get two so that I'll have enough for next year when I purchase my ewes.

Yellow Onion Close Up

Tomatillos growing like weeds!

Broccoli is getting closer

Big ol' Kohlrabi

Potatoes and Cole Crops

The next order for the day is getting all the drip line layed out for the next block of corn. Last time I planted a long skinny row... well I read that thats not the way to do it so now I'm going to plant a couple blocks, and at different intervals so that I have a steady supply of sweet corn. I can't help but be excited about this fall. I'm already planning what's going where, and getting things prepared. I tshould be a much better crop. I'm also trying to line out where the sheep will go year after next. Get all my grazing leases organized. Its going to be a great next couple of years I think, and I hope you all will join me.  

Corn and Beans

Onions and Tomatoes back view

Working the Sheep

Its docking time! Ella, and Yabbo both still have their tales... and I'm not one for looking at nasty sheep tales. For those of you not familiar with sheep production practices,  most breeds of sheep are not born with the short nubby tails that we are all familiar with. Pretty much all modern breeds of sheep have long heavy tails that are manually removed for cleanlyness, and ease of breeding. There are several different methods for docking tails, but I choose to use elastrator bands. I like the bands for simplicities sake, and because there are no open wounds to get infected. The band is simply plased in the desired location on the tail, and applied. The band works by cutting off the circulation below that point, and the end of the tail simply falls off! Its only painful at first, but once the circulation stops (which is quite quickly), the sheep looses all feeling to that part of the extrimity. Sheep with docked tails are happier, cleanlier, and less likely to develope flystrike!(a condition where blowflie maggots eat on living sheep)



Elastrator bands look like Cheerios!



Being organized helps. Having the elastrator set up before
 you start is a bonus, and always have extra bands.







I decided to take pictues of the days proceedings, and was quite pleasantly supprised with how smoothly everything went. Of course it all starts with being organized.... wether you're working three sheep or 3000 being organized is a must to save frustration. I am by no means an organized person, but there are some things that I have found help. For me they are proper facilities, a calm mindset, and having a bucket or box that hangs on the fence to hold all your tools both within reach, and out of the way. There should hardly be any reasons to loose your temper with your sheep. If you are getting extreemely angry, then you should probably take a step back and look at your facilities. Why are you angry? Let your fences do the majority of the work. If your running like a dog trying to catch sheep, you probably should invest in some more/taller panels, whether portable el-cheapo wood panels you can make yourself, or fancy metal ones, doesent matter. Just as long as they are portable, and can be easily reconfigured to work the amount of sheep that you have. The chute I'm using in these photos is my loading chute. When I had 60 sheep I didn't work them here. I could of, but it would not have been easy enough. With as few as I have now, it works ideally. the sheep can see out the front panel, making them think they can escape, and the funnel shape directs them where I want without extra work. The sides are high, and sturdy... which I have found to be more, and more of a must with owning taller breeds of sheep. The last, and one of the most important features, is the narrow chute itself, which limits movement... and consequently chasing!



Sturdy facilities are a must, though they don't have to be permanant



I started the day with Yabbo, checking teeth, picking foxtails, and of course docking his tail. I went ahead and trimmed his feet too. Our soil is very soft, and lambs feet don't wear well here. I also gave him his CD&T vaccine. To work on sheep I like to sit them on their rump, just like I would to shear them. This gives me access to all the places I need to handle, not to mention complete control of the sheep. As a side note, make sure and use alchohol on vaccine sites, as CD&T can be prone to abcessing, also for the same reason do not give CD&T vaccines in the wool... it will fall out. I chose to give it in the bare skin on the right inner thighs this time. 



Keep things cold while vaccinating, especially
 when you will be returning it to the fridge.



Getting Vaccine pre drawn.









Next sheep of the day was little ol Ella. Her poor face was absolutely full of foxtail. I was hoping she would have shed the wool on her face out by now... but it doesn't look like its going to happen. Wooly faces make sheep far more prone to stickers in the eyes. She got banded, given her booster, hooves trimmed, and eyewigged. Lastly I worked BB. All BB needed was her CD&T booster, and that blasted top knot taken off! BB is officially Fro- free! All in all, this time the whole lot was quite calm. No launching over my shoulders, or busting my face, or breaking gates for that matter. I'm feeling a bit more confident that my prospect bell sheep might eventally make good leaders. Its just going to take a bit more time.   



Before being worked.

 

Done and already eating. Low stress handling makes for happy calm sheep.