Sheep From Flock to Farewell:
Sheep and I have never been the best of friends. Back in my seventh-grade agriculture lessons, I learned some of the ins and outs of caring for these woolly creatures. From shearing and tail docking to keeping them alive (which proved trickier than you’d think), fending off predators, and shooing away flies – the list of responsibilities seemed endless.
Disappointment in the Hills.
When we relocated to “The Hill,” my disappointment peaked upon discovering that our neighbors were predominantly sheep farmers. While there were a few goat, donkey, and cattle enthusiasts in our paradise, sheep dominated the landscape.
When the time came for us to dip our toes into livestock ownership, I made it clear to Lanky that I wasn’t ready for sheep. They demanded more attention than cattle, and with my somewhat limited farming experience, I wasn’t keen on the added workload. So, we opted for two steers, thinking that would be the end of it.
Challenging our plans.
But life has a funny way of challenging our plans. A friend of a friend, facing relocation due to a landlord’s property sale, offered us five sheep – complete with a ram in the mix. The reasoning we had to take them (according to Lanky), Our current steers couldn’t keep up with paddock growth, and here was an opportunity to start our own little flock. reality, Lanky has a soft spot for lamb.
However, my reservations kicked in. Unknown bloodlines, uncertain ages, and the general mystery surrounding their past treatment raised concerns. Sheep meant work – lots of it. And if a ram was thrown into the mix, there could be pregnant ewes, complicating matters further. With no nearby paddock for ewe and lamb safety, the potential threat of foxes loomed large.
Considering my limited appetite for lamb compared to the option of maintaining extra steers or a house cow, the choice seemed clear.
One vote to rule the flock
Despite my reservations, I found myself outnumbered in the discussion as the kids were excited for sheep too. The result: five sheep joined our homestead. I was promised I wouldn’t have to deal with them, a promise that proved short-lived.
As the sheep arrived, it became evident they needed attention. Flighty and in need of shearing, we decided to postpone the process until winter passed. Among the flock were a young lamb and four older sheep – supposedly one ram and three ewes (later revealed as one weather, 2 ewes, 1 ram and one ram lamb).
Although I had hoped to stay hands-off, my concern for their well-being led me to seek advice from a Facebook group. Their insights hinted at a pregnant ewe, and discussions about “bagging” (a term describing the swelling of a ewe’s udder before lambing) ensued. Despite the ewe not showing signs of bagging, the predictions proved accurate.
Relocation for a new addition.
Anticipating lambing, we moved the flock to a paddock with an old decommissioned dam and abundant trees for shelter. Foxes and potential complications weighed on our minds, but a late September day welcomed a lamb, confirming our flock had expanded to 6.
The mum was a wonderful Mother to her Lamb, she stayed by its side even when i went to check on her, the lamb was feeding and up and walking around with no issues, our main concern now was to keep the foxes at bay.
predictable sheer with unpredictable results
With summer approaching, we booked a shearer to tend to their wool. The process unveiled another challenge: my long-forgotten skin condition, eczema. Memories of childhood eczema linked to woolen jumpers resurfaced, my adult self was grappling with eczema again. This, coupled with wool finding its way inside the house via curious kidlets, swiftly led to a unanimous decision – no more sheep.
Bid the flock farewell
Our six sheep are set to depart on the 19th, leaving us to ponder the possibility of welcoming goats down the track to fill the void left by their departure. Life on the homestead always brings unexpected twists and turns, and the journey with sheep has been a lesson in the unpredictability of farm life.
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