[Blackbelly] Lambs missing
Hi folks, For the first time in all the years I've been raising sheep, I've had lambs disappearing without a trace. I lost 2 lambs on 08/07/11 and I lost 2 more lambs Saturday night 08/13/11. I have excellent fence (5-foot tall, tightly woven, and electrified). There is no evidence anywhere. No bent fencing, no holes, no hair, no blood, nothing. I am next to a deep woods in southern Illinois. I guess whatever is taking my lambs would have to jump over the fence and back out with a lamb in its mouth. I guess it is possible that locals are rustling my lambs, but I think it is unlikely because they are so hard to catch. Also, my house is next to the entrance drive and I think it would be unlikely that someone would come so close to the house to steal them. Someone suggested a night camera mounted to look on the fence line. Has anyone tried them? They sound expensive. I wonder if the IDNR or some other source makes arrangements to loan or rent them out. Anyone have any similar experiences? Any thoughts? Any suggestions? Mary Swindell Bellwether Farm 815 Bell Hill Road Cobden, IL 62920 (618) 893-4568 or (618) 967-5046 www.bellwetherfarm.com mswin...@siu.edu ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] Blackbelly Sheep Record for sale on Amazon
I ran across this record on Amazon featuring a seriously decked-out blackbelly ewe. Judging from the songs on the album, I doubt the artists have a great deal of appreciation for the kind of music our sheep might like. Playing one of these songs would definitely cause my flock to bolt for the river. But the cover is cool! http://www.amazon.com/Black-Belly-Sheep/dp/B001EJWXOM%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAIGASBUYVEB7MTLPA%26tag%3Dthefoodrecipe-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB001EJWXOM Carol Carol Elkins Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
Mary, We have lost some newly born lambs to eagles in the past, so fence were no help. We have had no further problems after we introduced guard dogs (they were introduced because of coyote though not the eagles). Regards, Stephan -Original Message- From: blackbelly-boun...@lists.blackbellysheep.info [mailto:blackbelly-boun...@lists.blackbellysheep.info] On Behalf Of Mary Swindell Sent: Monday, August 15, 2011 10:57 AM To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing Hi folks, For the first time in all the years I've been raising sheep, I've had lambs disappearing without a trace. I lost 2 lambs on 08/07/11 and I lost 2 more lambs Saturday night 08/13/11. I have excellent fence (5-foot tall, tightly woven, and electrified). There is no evidence anywhere. No bent fencing, no holes, no hair, no blood, nothing. I am next to a deep woods in southern Illinois. I guess whatever is taking my lambs would have to jump over the fence and back out with a lamb in its mouth. I guess it is possible that locals are rustling my lambs, but I think it is unlikely because they are so hard to catch. Also, my house is next to the entrance drive and I think it would be unlikely that someone would come so close to the house to steal them. Someone suggested a night camera mounted to look on the fence line. Has anyone tried them? They sound expensive. I wonder if the IDNR or some other source makes arrangements to loan or rent them out. Anyone have any similar experiences? Any thoughts? Any suggestions? Mary Swindell Bellwether Farm 815 Bell Hill Road Cobden, IL 62920 (618) 893-4568 or (618) 967-5046 www.bellwetherfarm.com mswin...@siu.edu ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info The information in this email and any attachments may be confidential and privileged. Access to this email by anyone other than the intended addressee is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient (or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this information to the intended recipient) please notify the sender by reply email and immediately delete this email and any copies from your computer and/or storage system. The sender does not authorize the use, distribution, disclosure or reproduction of this email (or any part of its contents) by anyone other than the intended recipient(s). No representation is made that this email and any attachments are free of viruses. Virus scanning is recommended and is the responsibility of the recipient. ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
Mary, the smaller lambs COULD be taken by larger raptors. Search your sky-- see if you see any Vultureshovering over possible remains-- the vultures wait for the actual predator to leave the carcasses. A Coyote would have a hard time jumping a 5 foot fence with a load in it's mouth-- and they typically hunt in packs. Odd that you are missing them in pairs-- are they related pairs? If so, I would think two legged predator- despite your set up. Game cameras are good for night time recording of what is happening. They are motion activated, and are not really that expensive, considering they are self contained, and some come with transmitting capabilities so you can observe on your computer screen. A flashing red light had been proven to deter predators and other unwanted animals, like deer. When rustlers know there is a good chance they will be filmed, they may very well look for easier pickings.. Terry W NE OHIO ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Lambs missing
Mary, I've used a game camera to monitor my sheep and my friend has used one to try to determine what predator is killing her chickens. The trick with the camera is to mount it in an area that the predator is guaranteed to pass. That could be hard to do if your sheep are out on pasture at night. The predator has to pass within a certain distance to trigger the camera shutter. And every animal that passes will trigger the shutter, including your sheep. That can quickly wear down the battery. Check http://www.cabelas.com for cameras. For reviews of the available cameras, see http://www.google.com/search?q=game+camera+reviewsie=utf-8oe=utf-8aq=trls=org.mozilla:en-US:officialclient=firefox-a Make sure you purchase one that has infrared capability to take night pictures . Carol At 08:56 AM 8/15/2011, you wrote: Someone suggested a night camera mounted to look on the fence line. Has anyone tried them? They sound expensive. I wonder if the IDNR or some other source makes arrangements to loan or rent them out. ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
