Re: [Blackbelly] caseous lymphadenitis
On Sun, 13 Sep 2015, Michael Smith wrote: Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2015 09:48:14 -0700 From: Michael Smith Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly , lizr...@skybeam.com Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] caseous lymphadenitis yeah I know, it can be anywhere in the body (as was Marley's case) but many animals present first with the one on the neck. The notion is to do everything to try to nip it in the bud and try to prevent the further spread in the animal, and also, prevent yet more bacterium dropping from the abscess onto the property. my statement about it being "too good to be true" was more because I think people "do" mistake that for a cure--what if the animal already has it through their body, and because it's as off-label as it gets. That said: I'd rather do that, than allow it to open and drain completely untreated, or have a vet open it up and try to catch the pus and sterilize the inside of the cyst. The nasty thing about all this is: I could euthanize the whole flock. Wait a year, hope it goes away, (they say it can live as long as 8 months in soil) and get more sheep and-- because it could be spread by flies-- start all over. It's not like you can put a new animal in quarantine for a month and be sure. They might not present. -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies So sorry you have had this problem. Might be worth a little web searching on tulathromycin. There seems to be some indication that it has the ability to penetrate the abcesses. Peter & Katharine Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Deworming sheep (was previously Blackbelly Digest, Vol 9, Issue 48)
On Thu, 10 Oct 2013, William Buchanan wrote: Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2013 08:07:05 -0500 From: William Buchanan Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Deworming sheep (was previously Blackbelly Digest, Vol 9, Issue 48) I concur with Carol. I live in the humid southeast and I only wormed once, many years ago. In fact, all the sheep that were wormed have either been sold or died of old age, so none of the sheep on my place now have ever been wormed. My vet and my State Vet both encouraged me to do this. From that point on, I never wormed again. I did lose a few in the early years but none in several years. Survival of the fittest. Chris Buchanan We've had our ABBs for about 4 years now and have never wormed them. When they were younger they may have had some minor problems but now they seem fine. This is in the San Francisco bay area where we do have a long dry summer, but it very rarely gets down to freezing temperatures in the winter. Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Dead ewe, coyotes? or something else
On Tue, 4 Jun 2013, Michael Smith wrote: Date: Tue, 4 Jun 2013 22:17:43 -0700 From: Michael Smith Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly Subject: [Blackbelly] Dead ewe, coyotes? or something else (Moderator--I am re-sending this in plain text.) New to sheep, started in 2008 as some of you folks know, and our fencing has been real good. Last night I might have underestimated the ability of coyotes to get under a fence-- on our far pasture-- that a cat or rabbit can get under. Came home from work today to see almost 10 large California turkey vultures flying away from a carcass as I came out. My favorite, sweet bottle baby ewe, Ruby. She was about 3 years old and had one of my favorite ram lambs who I kept intact. If she was attacked, I feel particularly bad, since she was attracted to our dog since she was a lamb, and possibly was not as afraid of any canine predators as she should have been. All the rest of the 9 sheep and 3 goat appear absolutely fine. Let's put it this way. I have an old ewe who I fully expected to see lying there, since she is deaf as a post, and slow as molasses. So, an apparently healthy, perky ewe suddenly was dead, and if she was predated, the animals decided not to continue to feast on more of them. Here are some details I am hoping some of you can help with. I have pictures I can post on my website later, if it comes down to it. 1] carcass has obviously been out all day, since we saw a vulture or two flying this morning, but took no note of it, since they are around most every day anyways. We both had to get to work and I did not go out and count the sheep. I am thinking she died early Tuesday morning (June 4). 2] body was stripped clean, except for the neck, head, and skinny portion of the legs with hooves. No large pool of blood or anything like that. No obvious blood trail from dragging. 3] I inspected the neck, on the side facing the ground, the side the vultures did not pick on, there was an area of hair slightly matted with blood. Even though she had shed her winter coat, her hair is so thick, it is difficult to say for sure if there's punctures, but I really don't think the vultures caused this. I am thinking that is how she was strangled, if that is what happened. 4] curiously, since I am new to this, about 10 feet from her was a large, almost 2-foot wide layer of what looked more like llama or horse manure. Not like sheep manure, where it would be black and processed into pellets. It was clumpy and grassy and some was fresh enough to be wet and greenish brown, when broken. They did have mowed grass for lunch on Sunday, which I threw over the fence. There are no large ruminant animals that are in that pasture. question is: did she simply have some sort of digestive problem and evacuate her bowels and die from some sort of distress? or could she have done that when killed, and then was dragged the 10 feet? Or, was it the contents of her stomach after being killed, and then she was dragged? It was a rather large amount, and difficult for me to imagine any of the animals having that much come out at once, normally. Again, there appeared to be no blood on it at all. I appreciate any one reading this, and any advice or help you might have to offer. The ewes and wethers have since been moved to our most secure pasture, and the dog is sleeping with them tonite instead of the rams. -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies. ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info Don't really have anything to add but I am sorry that you lost a ewe. If they are anything like our sheep they are more pets than livestock. I do worry about our sheep as we have (very rarely) seen coyotes here. Last time was about 4 months ago when I walked out into out backyard to find a coyote chasing our chickens, which was pretty surprizing since we live in a fairly urban area. Our dog chased the coyote away (it easily clambered over our 5'6" fence) but I have little doubt they will be back. Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Bottle Jaw
On Fri, 1 Jun 2012, Cecil R Bearden wrote: Date: Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:59:58 -0500 From: Cecil R Bearden Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Bottle Jaw I would use safegaurd (panacur) at the same dosage rate or a little more than that listed for cattle. You can put it in the feed. If any appear to not respond after about 4 to 5 days then I would use oral ivomec on those. Then 10 to `14 days later, I would worm again with the safeguard. Again watching for non responders and worming those with oral Ivomec . This may seem severe, or overkill, but by worming in this manner, I only have to worm about once in every 3 years. Cecil in OKla Thank you I will give this a try (is that panacur paste or drench?) Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] Bottle Jaw
Noticed tha one of our sheep has what looks like bottle jaw (~2 inch swelling on the underside of the back part of the jaw) Another one of our sheep had this once before when just 8 months old that spontaneously resolved in a couple days or so but they are all now about 3 1/2 years old and this is the first health problem I have seen since then. I've read that I should de-worm immediately but I have not been using any dewormer so would like some advice on what to use (or other suggestions of how best to deal with this) Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Limping ewe
On Wed, 7 Mar 2012, imgr8a...@comcast.net wrote: Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2012 01:19:07 + (UTC) From: imgr8a...@comcast.net Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Limping ewe One or two of my sheep show up limping every couple months. I have never seen them hurt themselves, but I've often wondered if its something they do or if they got hurt running away from one of the horses or doing a fast maneuver. They usually work it out in a couple of days and it's like nothing happened. I do check to make sure there is nothing lodged in between their toes and that there is no heat in the leg. As far as banamine goes, I just used it IM on one of my Finns. She had to have a c-section last Friday night, she developed toxemia. She was getting banamine twice a day for 3 days. I would check with your vet to see if banamine is the right thing to use for what your sheep has. When it comes to sheep, with just a limp, if it isn't mastitis, I would give it a couple of days and she if it works itself out. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 One of our ewes (~3 YO) often limps after the first rain. I've never seen any hoof problems. The sheep are on a fairly steep hillside and I think what happens is tha she slips in the mud after a big rain and sprains her leg. The limping always goes away in a couple days. Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Update on rescued Blackbelly cross
On Thu, 1 Dec 2011, imgr8a...@comcast.net wrote: baby antics? does that ever stop? My sheep are pretty tame and when I ride the 4-wheeler around the property, I call the sheep and they come running, bouncing, hoping and flinging themselves into the air. I love it, it is very fun to watch and good exercise for the sheep. My sheep play on their own in the evening. I have a range of 1 year through 4 years old and they all do it and I encourage it. I'm glad to hear that your new charge is doing so well. Nancy L. Johnson imgr8a...@comcast.net cell: 301 440 4808 Our 4 sheep are about 3 now and still kick up their heels, bucking and jumping about or having mock battles usually in early evening when the weather is nice. Dont know if Blackbelly sheep are more playful than others but ours still play when the mood hits them. Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Running out of hay
On Fri, 29 Apr 2011, Margaret Smith wrote: Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:32:59 -0600 From: Margaret Smith Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] Running out of hay What do you all feed your ABBs when you run out of hay and don't have pasture yet? Peg Smith Boulder, UT Mine start on human flesh when I run out of crackers... Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Blackbelly Economics
On Thu, 3 Mar 2011, Cecil Bearden wrote: Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 18:44:24 -0600 From: Cecil Bearden Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info, doublejfa...@wildblue.net Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Blackbelly Economics Do not think of them as a profit operation, they are an all terrain environmentally friendly lawnmower and weedeater and brush trimmer. Als a source of entertainment which will keep you out of the bars and off the streets... I have never made a profit on any of mine... I just write it off I get to look at our nice pasture instead of a huge overgrown weed patch/fire hazard. I can see the plant community in our backlot changing from mostly weeds to more grasses. I really appreciate _not_ having to weed-wack our steep backlot one more year. I get to talk to the sheep when work has me stressed, scratch their chins/chests and have them wag their tails. This is worth more to me than their low upkeep costs so I have profitted greatly by having our 4 "lawnmowers" Never expected them to be such fun. Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] AB Ram on Television Ad
BTW heres the commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSMxLSq60O8 On Mon, 28 Feb 2011, Mary Swindell wrote: Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:16:53 -0600 From: Mary Swindell Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] AB Ram on Television Ad Recently there has been a television advertisement for "Stride Spark Gum" where a young woman is being chased down the street by a horned American Blackbelly ram. She successfully fends it off by raising her arms and making threatening noises. The ram was portrayed as a dangerous, rather wild-looking animal of uncertain species. I am always startled and surprised at seeing our blackbelly sheep on TV or anywhere else in the media, because up until now it seems that not many people outside our community of sheep ranchers have even seen a blackbelly sheep! So I guess it is a good thing that our sheep are starting to appear in the media, even though this particular ad may portray those AB rams as being aggressive and dangerous. We all know that they actually CAN be aggressive and dangerous under certain circumstances, but truthfully I wouldn't expect to see a lone AB ram chase somebody down the street, ha ha! Here's hoping there will be further media attention paid to blackbelly sheep (whether in advertisements, documentaries, or other formats). It would be nice to see ewes, lambs, and so forth in a more pastoral setting, which I think would portray a more favorable image of our blackbelly animals than to have a runaway ram chasing a young woman. Not all blackbelly animals are as B-a-a-a-ad as this big boy was. Still, it brought a smile to my face. Mary Swindell ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] sheep and onions
On Fri, 4 Feb 2011, Crystal Wolf wrote: Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 18:22:31 -0600 From: Crystal Wolf Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: Blackbelly digest Subject: [Blackbelly] sheep and onions Hello Peter, It was interesting to read about Blackie eating the grilled onions and how much they were enjoyed. I feed onions to my sheep all the time. Anytime I trim the onion ends and skins, they go into the "sheep bowl". Although some of the sheep are more particular than others, Tess my oldest ewe has the biggest variety of things she likes. They include; lemon rinds, oranges, onions, artichoke leaves and heart (after I have eaten my part), noodles (I usually cook too many), watermelon/cantaloupe rinds any trimmings from vegetables and the list goes on. When potato or tortilla chips are just crumbs in the bag they go to the sheep or the chickens. The sheep especially Tess also love corn and flour tortillas. I have probably left some things out but it gives you an idea of just what these critters will eat. Have fun, Cathy Mayton LeapN Lambs I do that too with the tortilla chip remains, but the sheep have to compete with thes chickens for those. I have noticed the sheep will eat green onions that stick out of our garden area chicken wire fence. I guess I was surprised by the onions since the only herbivores I had before the sheep are rabbits and rabbits seem to hate onions / garlic etc. I'll have to try the cantalope rinds... Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Grilled onions, sheep gangs
On Fri, 4 Feb 2011, Michael Smith wrote: Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 14:34:10 -0800 From: Michael Smith Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Grilled onions, sheep gangs you mean like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgSP4QveeRA this is a new cat we adopted. the sheep follow him and wag their tails. The cat is better at herding than our dog. Although, he does it by getting them to follow him. my sheep are also attracted to our Aussie dog like this as well. Although, the older sheep who were not raised with the dog on the other side of the fence are not attracted to the dog. The younger ones act like they are in heat when the dog is around. _Michael Smith, Perino Ranch Blackbellies Yes, thats it, except the cat here was freaked out by the sheeps behavior and ran and jumped the fence... Nice video! ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Grilled onions, sheep gangs
No, not a lamb recipe. Found out by accident that Blackie likes grilled onions. Had some leftover grilled onions from lunch on Sunday and gave them to the chickens. Turns out the chickens didn't much care for grilled onions but the sheep ran up to see what was going on. The other three sheep turned up their noses in normal neophobic sheep manner (new word!) but Blackie ate every single bit. I worried a little that it might make her sick (she was fine) and I wouldn't do it again but I did think it was funny. A neighbor at the bottom of our lot has informed us that our sheep gang up on and chase deer out of our lot (which is a good thing since they bring ticks) I wonder if anyone else has heard of such a thing? I've never seen this but I have seen them do this to a visiting cat, advancing slowly with all eyes on the intruder... Peter & Kathy Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Peter's winter report (fwd)
We will see if this bounces, last 2 times it did On Sat, 27 Nov 2010, Crystal Wolf wrote: That is really neat Peter that your sheep learned a hand signal. These sheep are pretty smart. Most of my girls are not as tame as yours most of them are "touch me not". I do have a couple that will sniff my fingers and most of them will take treats from my hands. I give them the large breeder cubes and they are like a bunch of piranha, even climbing over the top of others to get more treats. They get other treats as well such as bottom of the bag potato/tortilla chips and they like onions and such. So trimmings from vegetables I give them as well and I have one ewe that likes lemons. Stale crackers seem to work with our girls. They are funny about fruit, some like some things and some others for example apples and plums from our trees are universally loved but grapes are regarded with suspicion by all but Blackie, and only 2 will eat persimmons. Blondie may have been in heat and that is why she may have wanted your attention, especially if the behavior only lasted a couple of days. These girls come in about every 17 days. I have a couple wethers with my girls to keep them happy when I don't want them bred. They also go down to where my rams are and stand outside their fence. Fortuntely the boys respect the barb wire fence line. I did not realize just how strong rams are until last summer when they literally bent up a stock gate because they were fighting each other through gate. Fixed that though so they can't see each other when they are with their assigned group of girls. I thought that might be the case (also the season is right). My sheep don't mind the rain much either unless it is raining pretty hard, then they get into their shed to wait out the rain. This summer they actually got their coats nice and clean in the summer rain. Yes, with Californias long dry summers our sheep get pretty dusty, so they look a look better after the first rain! Sounds like you enjoy your sheep as much as I do. They each have their personality and of course some more than others and I really get a kick out of them. There are several that recognize their name. Tess, my oldest ewe will come when called. I do really enjoy our sheep, while they were acquired for a utilitarian purpose (weed abatement), they have been a real pleasure to have around. (well +- losing a few small trees when we first got them) Only real problem is now if I talk about sheep with friends or co-workers their eyes glaze over... Well have a good weekend and thanks for sharing your sheep. Cathy Mayton LeapN' Lambs Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Peter's winter report
On Sat, 27 Nov 2010, Michael Smith wrote: I also find one of my girls does this 100% of the time with our dog. She just loves the dog and does not need to be in heat to do the droopy dopey face and wagging tail thing. Funny thing is, the dog is a girl, as well. Thats funny! Our girls wont get within 10 feet of our dog (well it was 50 so I guess thats progress) Michael Smith Sent from my iPad Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] Winter report: Hand signals, sheep crushes, tameness, standing in the rain
One of the things I've learned in my short time with our sheep is how visual sheep are. If we so much as move a stepping stone around, they immediately notice and have to investigate carefully before getting close. Our sheep have learned a hand signal for "no more treats" (hand rotated palm-up/palm-down at wrist). They learned this very quickly (so much for sheep being dumb) I swear one of our sheep (Blondie) had a crush on me for a couple days, following me around like a lovesick puppy and wagging her tail if I petted her. After a few days she got back to normal (no petting unless there are treats involved) In general our sheep have gotten tamer as time goes on but with big individual differences: Blondie is fairly tame, Blackie very tame (always likes a pet or scratch) Gracie and Bea are "touch-me-not" but gradually getting tamer. We have a makeshift sheep shelter that the sheep used last winter, but now refuse to use unless its raining really hard. They will simply stand in the rain under a tree. Our neighbors have some wooly sheep of some description and they stand out in the rain as well but I thought hair sheep would be more goatlike and run for cover when it rained. I wonder if the fact that the shelter is in a corner (fence corner) makes them insecure? Maybe they just care less about the rain as they get older (they are almost 2 now) Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Ram pix for Fall, 2010
On Fri, 1 Oct 2010, Carol Elkins wrote: Date: Fri, 01 Oct 2010 10:43:12 -0600 From: Carol Elkins Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Ram pix for Fall, 2010 Michael, absolutely stunning rams. I really enjoy your photos. Thanks for posting. Carol Yes, I enjoyed the pictures as well. Those are great looking RAMs, thanks for posting the pictures Michael. I'm tempted to blow up the picture of Verne or Marley as a Pin-up boy for our girls... Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] Must be fall
Cool windy and fallish here in northern California after a mostly absent summer. First leaves falling have our girls in vaccuum cleaner mode again, running around searching for blown down leaves. Our 4 ewes are about 1.5 years old now (is this full grown?). Baby the runt (now "Bee" because "Baby" didn't seem appropriate anymore) had an unexpected growth spurt and became second to the largest. They have all gotten tame enough to eat out of our hands, but are still a little skittish and they have not liked to be touched, however Blackie suprised us this weekend by allowing us to scratch her back. Turns out she likes to be scratched and wags her tail 90 miles an hour when being scratched. The reward for this is hands black with a mix of lanolin and our clay soil dust... (can you wash sheep?) They still keep about a 10 foot flight distance away from our dog (a 95 lb flat retriever) but are quite used to Charlie and his habits now, and he's very good with them. Peter & Kathy ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] plum pit path
A couple of small weedy plum trees have been dropping their fruit (~3/4" yellow plums) on our hillside and our sheep have been greedily devouring them including the pits! I started noticing plum pits lying around the sheeps camping area and assumed that the pits had made the whole digestive trip, but no, while watching the sheep as they ruminate I saw them spittng out pits... Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Solar lawnmower update
Added some pics from a month ago up front.
http://mwsmith.smugmug.com/Animals/sheep/12558854_cvPzu#902143601_4zFcq
Our Lily, looking mighty nappy in those pictures as well. Plus, some
good examples of Groucho's nice horn growth in just one month.
_MWS
Well your guys are wooly but clean, not ours...
Heres Blondie:
www.mesanet.com/ratty-blondie.jpg
Peter Wallace
Mesa Electronics
(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination.
___
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Re: [Blackbelly] Solar lawnmower update
On Mon, 14 Jun 2010, Michael Smith wrote: Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:24:41 -0700 From: Michael Smith Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Solar lawnmower update Peter, you made the below comment, and I finally took the time to post some pics I took last week, which show the same amount of peeling coats, for Northern California. http://mwsmith.smugmug.com/Animals/sheep/12558854_cvPzu#901314437_2Vu65 -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies. On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 8:44 PM, Peter C. Wallace wrote: Wondering when our ~1.5 year old Am Blackbelly sheep will lose their wool they've lost it around their necks and part of their backs and so look fairly ridiculous (it hasn't been very warm yet in the Bay Area so I still have hope) Peter Wallace Our girls are decidely more ratty looking, maybe because of the thistles and bedstraw that get into their wool. I'll try and put some pictures up later this week. The little bit of hot weather we've had over the weekend started some more peeling so some look like they have dreadlocks, with a new sheep coming out from the mess. Their new unfaded dark colors look especially vivid compared to the ratty grey-beige wool. Peter & Kathy ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Sheep treats
Ours are partial to Cheerios or most any kind of stale cracker or nuts. I bring them in at night by waving a plastic yogurt container of treats from the top of our hill. They have can see it for a couple hundred feet at least (if the weeds are not too high) Peter & Kathy Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] Solar lawnmower update
Weeds seem to be outrunning the sheep (4 sheep/1 acre) at the moment, They only eat a couple of hours a day and the rest is siesta time. Guess we will have to wait a whole year to see how the balance of plant production/sheep consumption works out. I am happy to see that they eat the (very thorny) artichoke thistles (they've developed a technique to align the thorns in their mouths so they dont get pricked) Wondering when our ~1.5 year old Am Blackbelly sheep will lose their wool they've lost it around their necks and part of their backs and so look fairly ridiculous (it hasn't been very warm yet in the Bay Area so I still have hope) Dont know if its senility setting in or what but I've found I like to go down our weedy hillside in the mornings before work with my cup of tea and sit with the sheep, they are very sociable and always come and graze within a few feet of me. Not with the in-your-face friendlyness of a dog but a kind of gentle togetherness. Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] New momma will not hold still to feed lambafter 10hours
On Wed, 31 Mar 2010, Michael Smith wrote: Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:14:23 -0700 From: Michael Smith Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] New momma will not hold still to feed lambafter 10hours Thanks everyone, all appears to be well now. This is my first time being able to witness the entire birthing process so I was a bit of a nervous wreck this morning. Sorry for the alarm. here's the nice pictures from this morning: http://web.me.com/mwsmith100/spring_2010/Ruby.html -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies. Very cute, when they call sheep precocial they mean it! Sure makes me want to call rent-a-ram for our girls (if I could sneak it by the boss somehow) Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Must be spring
On Tue, 23 Mar 2010, GARLAND STAMPER wrote: Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:03:48 -0700 From: GARLAND STAMPER Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] Must be spring Peter and Kathy, I really enjoy your updates. Glad spring is finally appearing your way. We go back and forth...spring...then snow...then 22 degs, then 67 degs... Be careful what you wish for...silent blackbellies are a blessing...if you really need to hear one non-stop...I'll lend Frosty to you. I have to sneak out the back door...or else! AAaa!! I think she "speaks" for the rest of them. Then the horses and chickens chime in!! Geeze...and believe me, no one is hungry here! Ha! I do worry a little that if they started they would not stop, but it seems so un-sheeplike not to baaa. They are not totally silent, they kind of snort at our dog (and stamp their feet) Heck, everyonece in a while...I call them goats, too. But that's when I'm mad at them! Blackbellies will eat trees, so we wrapped mesh wire around the ones that we love. We had a chicken wire fence around it but when Blondie gets determined, shes relentless... Beth in sunny central OR PS Our ewe, Priscilla, had triplets Sat night and while all 3 got colostrum from Mom, one of them got chilled overnight...so he lives in a plastic bin box in the livingroom at night and out with his family during the day. He needed bottle-fed watered-down nutra-drench and lamb milk replacer. So far, so good! The others are doing really well. Twins are much preferred...the tiny triplet usually gets pushed out then gets cold and weak. Glad He's is doing OK. I would like to have lambs around sometime, but Kathy says no more animals until we have a farm... Peter & Kathy ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] Must be spring
Our girls are celebrating spring and a long rainy winters end here in northern California. They have bursts of head butting and jumping straight up in the air doing 180 turns a the same time!. They are 1 year old now so we are doing CDT vaccinations and hoof trimming (Just one of our four sheep a week, theres only so much clown rodeo I can take) Still silent though. I wouldn't mind a random baa now and then, and no matter how many times we tell them, our neighbors still refer to them as goats... Overall we are really happy with our hillside maintenance crew (other than blondie pawing under a chicken wire fence and girdling a small apricot tree: that had me thinking lamb chops for a while) Peter & Kathy Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] lambing season
On Sun, 7 Mar 2010, Nancy & Tom Richardson wrote: Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 17:09:01 -0600 From: Nancy & Tom Richardson Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] lambing season We had over 100 babies born. But We used a Racka Ram which through mostly black sheep. Although I did get some great looking black bellies. My 35 jacobs are in the swing of lambing. about 10 have popped just waiting for the rest over the next month. The Racka crosses really grow fast. They are still hair some have a little longer with a wave to it but I believe they will shed just the same. Nancy ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info I thought Racka sheep (with the wild spiral horns) we non-existent in the US... Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] Autumn in Auburn CA (fwd)
What gorgeous pictures, makes me want to give up the city life! What breeds are the larger sheep? Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Pictures and a video: Young AB ram's progress
On Sat, 28 Nov 2009, Michael Smith wrote: Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:53:19 -0800 From: Michael Smith Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly Subject: [Blackbelly] Pictures and a video: Young AB ram's progress http://web.me.com/mwsmith100/2009_bottle_lambs/Lucy_and_Ziggy.html Just sharing a few pictures of my three intact rams, with Ziggy, who was born in May, coming along nicely. Also, some hilarious movie footage of our little pygmy/alpine goat in heat (not being bred, just the sounds she makes). This is the second time she's done this, so when I heard her getting noisy the night before, I got the camera ready in the morning. I've heard plenty of male goats make these noises when mating, but not the females. -Michael, Perino Ranch Blackbellies. ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info Very nice pictures! Especially the three boys with different horn lengths _Almost_ makes me want a ram here... A couple of times the goat sounds like shes talking! Peter & Kathy Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Bottle jaw - maybe over reaction
Gracies jaw went back to normal in one day and has been fine ever since so maybe like an over-protective parent who has read to many horror stories I jumped to conclusions. Thanks to all for suggestions. I am considering getting a fecal egg count kit to see where we really are parasite wise. Who knew sheep sh*t could be so interesting! I find this stuff fascinating, for example: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2270930/ In other news, we have a big storm moving in here so the girls have been in vaccuum cleaner mode today, running around vaccuuming up blown down tree leaves.. Silence of the lambs: our girls (8 month old AM Blackbellys) are almost absolutely silent. I think I've only heard one bleat in the time we've had them. Is this normal? (Not complaining, we have neighbors with some kind of wool sheep and they are constantly bleating at this or that) How long do lambs play? Ours still occasionally get in the mood to jump in the air, head bump and paw at each other, usually followed by a good cud chew and a nap. Peter & Kathy Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] Bottle jaw
One of our 4 Lambs (8 month old ewes) has what looks to be bottle jaw, maybe 1 inch swelling of lower jaw. Seems to be feeling and eating OK but have read that this is an emergency. The people that sold the lambs to us wormed them right before we got them (end of September) I think with Ivomec, They suggested immediate worming with Levamisole and antibiotics (we have PenG left over from the dog incident). Unfortunately this is not a good location for large animal vets so looking for some additional guidance or suggestions. Thanks Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] mirror helps catch a runaway blackbelly
On Sun, 8 Nov 2009, Carol J. Elkins wrote: Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:08:26 -0700 From: Carol J. Elkins Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] mirror helps catch a runaway blackbelly There's an interesting article that describes how using a mirror helps to trap one of those wilder-than-a-spooked-deer blackbelly sheep that's on the loose. You can read the article at http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091107/NEWS/911070336/-1/news Carol ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info Heres a (shaky) video of our girls looking at their reflections: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJKq8_mBTbA They do this quite often. (a ram looking at that door might be a bad idea...) And here they are checking out a funny looking sheep: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIofhlvuwJY Peter & Kathy Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Blackbelly video
On Mon, 2 Nov 2009, GARLAND STAMPER wrote:
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 18:15:46 -0800
From: GARLAND STAMPER
Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info
To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info
Subject: [Blackbelly] Blackbelly video
Peter...not a letdown!! They are really cute and love those tails!!
Beth in OR
They really are a kick! We got them as practical, working, weed abatement
animals for our ~1 acre of weeds on a steep downslope behind our house. They
are doing a good job with the weeds, and it will be so nice not to to have to
run the brushcutter down the hillside (and I'm getting too old for it as
well). What I didn't expect was how much fun its has been to have them around
and watch them. After a hard day at the high-tech rat race its so great to see
them sitting together chewing cud or playing follow the leader to some new,
exciting place in the field. Just melts the stress away!
___
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Peter Wallace
Mesa Electronics
(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination.
___
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Re: [Blackbelly] rabbits
On Tue, 3 Nov 2009, Michael Smith wrote: Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:15:21 -0700 From: Michael Smith Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] rabbits Peter, my 3 bottle-fed ewes do the same thing with our Aussie that they came to know through the fence. I sent this out before, http://web.me.com/mwsmith100/Sheila/with_lambs.html#grid but they do the same thing with our dog, tail wagging and all. (similar to what ewes do in heat). It's one of the only times the young girls will really let me pet or scratch their heads for any length of time. I even use the dog as a ruse, to capture them when they are being naughty and won't leave a pasture and are playing tag with me. I bring her up to them and they get all mushy and just let me grab them. _MWS ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info Very nice! I wish our dog (Charlie) and the sheep would get along like that! Currently they just glare at each other from their sides of the fence. Charlie is slowly getting used to having the sheep around but still needs to be watched so he doesnt chase. He's fine with our rabbits and chickens so I think theres hope. Our girls wont get close enough to touch (about 2 feet is as close as they will get to Kathy or me) Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] New Ram picture
On Mon, 2 Nov 2009, Nancy & Tom Richardson wrote: Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 14:11:35 -0600 From: Nancy & Tom Richardson Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: [Blackbelly] New Ram picture For those of you who like to look at photos I have posted a new photo of a group of our Trophy type rams under our page Rams Galore. They would all make good herd sires. They all have great temperments as well as horns if you like the open look. Thanks for looking! Nancy www.freewebs.com/mossyspringsranch ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info Wow, those are amazing horns, quite exotic! Now for a letdown, here are our lawnmower grade American blackbellys checking out our rabbits. Not impressive sheep to sheep people but we love them anyway... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hwrFV_5oP0 Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] New to list
On Sat, 24 Oct 2009, GARLAND STAMPER wrote: Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:05:35 -0700 From: GARLAND STAMPER Reply-To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info To: blackbelly@lists.blackbellysheep.info Subject: Re: [Blackbelly] New to list Peter and Kathy, Welcome! Am. Blackbellies are pretty interesting sheep to raise. Where are you located?? We are in Northern California (El Sobrante, a little city in the SFBA) The sheep have been lots of fun, other than one scary mishap. A hole in the fence behind some bushes that we missed when checking allowed a neighbors dog to attack one of the sheep. (Baby - the runt naturally was the target). Luckily the sheep was not badly injured and after a week of cleaning the wounds and administering Penicillin shes fine) After that episode we patched the fence very carefully, and bring the sheep into the fenced area near the house at night. Beth Stamper Sierra Luna Am. Blackbelly Sheep Powell Butte, OR ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info Peter Wallace ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[Blackbelly] New to list
Wanted to thank Carol Elkins for serving this list and all contributors!. The archives have been a great resource for learning about blackbelly sheep and helped with our decision to purchase some American Blackbellys for lawnmower duty. So far they have been a real joy around here. Peter Wallace Kathy Wallace and: Gracie Blondie Blackie Baby ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
