Hi Jann, and welcome to the list. Being a city slicker new to animal husbandry myself, and now, a shepherd since 2008, I can relate. This mailing list is a god-send to me and my ABBs.
I second the notion of using a portable panel. I have a thin plywood 4x8 panel with handles screwed into it that I use as a moveable wall to slowly work the sheep I want into a corner and then clamp them. Especially handy for separating babies from moms and the crazy ones from a half-tame flock. We now have 14 sheep and 3 goats. Since I started I have had three rounds of lambs, one round of bottle babies I wanted to raise that way, and a flying ewe right in the face. Had to drain a goofball sized cyst on a ewe lately (ate a foxtail that went into her cheek). Buried my favorite ewe this year due to a coyote attack. Still enjoying my sheep and looking forward to possibly exposing some girls to one of my rams in December for some April lambs. All these experiences were shared with the group and I received the best of expert advice when needed. I have even devoted quite a bit of time to developing a walk-behind sickle mower that actually can harvest really tall hay, since we are blessed with some really great silage growing on our small 4-acre place in Northern California. -MIchael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies Sent from my iPad > On Nov 22, 2013, at 12:24 PM, mtnrdgr...@aol.com wrote: > > Hi List > > I am new to the list and new to sheep husbandry. I just got (arrived on Wed) > a small flock of ten American Blackbelly Sheep and I live in Fountain, CO. > > I look forward to learning a lot about my new flock of sheep. I spent the > morning separating my young rams from the main flock and found that there is > a lot I don't know. I thought I would share my thoughts on some of it. I bet > you have all been at this point and can appreciate my position. Any and all > input or suggestions are more than welcome :-) > > > Things I didn't know - > > Lesson #1 When one sheep runs, they all run. > Lesson #2 Calm quiet sheep in a small confined area, all getting along well, > suddenly become independent testosterone filled hellions once liberated. > Lesson #3 When not confined, boy sheep fight. With everyone. And if it isn't > enough to fight with the other boys and the girls a wooden box will do just > fine. > Lesson#4 It is not easy to separate sheep. I have a new admiration for sheep > dogs. > Lesson #5 No makeshift barrier is too tough for a sheep to tear down if he is > determined enough. > Lesson #6 See lesson #1. It is the true meaning of life. > Lesson #7 If one sheep comes, they all come. > Lesson #8 One person is almost too few to separate 3 sheep from the flock. > Lesson #9 A portable panel is worth two humans. > Lesson #10 I can out-muscle three young rams, but not by much. > Lesson #11 Sometimes an open door is much scarier than being squished in a > very small space. > Lesson #12 When sheep are really worried, they lie down. > Lesson #13 I cannot move a reclining sheep. > Lesson #14 In retrospect I now understand why shepherds have "crooks". > Lesson #15 Patience is a virtue. > lesson #16 It takes about two hours to separate three rams from the flock of > 10 and get them into a stall on the other side of the barn. > Lesson #17 This is still easier than the Yaks! > Lesson #18 I need a really good breakfast. I think lamb chops are on the menu. > > Jann > > > > _______________________________________________ > This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list > Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info _______________________________________________ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
