The sheep

Change was in the wind

We raised Hampshire, Suffolk, Shropshire plus mixed white faced range cross breeds for many years.  Then we discovered hair sheep, looked at how far down the ground was while looking over the list of the growing names of sheep shears that had retired, we thought, no shearing sounds good.  We started with pure breed Dorpers.  We have added Katahdins and other hair sheep crosses along the way as we look to produce long, lean, meaty lambs for the home and retail market. 

Hair sheep go though an ugly stage some even grow out of it......

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Just look at that motley crew of sheep.  The hair sheep were just what we were looking for in so many ways.  Freedom from shearing, great mothering abilities, browsers, then there is there wonderful black heads on the Dorpers.  The herd looks so good out in the fields.  There are a few things to get use to like lambs every 8-10 months from these ewes.  Currently we still have a few months were we don't have lambs ready for sale off the farm yet the day may come when we will have lamb for sale each month of the year. 

Accident forces sale of all the sheep

The fresh start back into sheep came with Miss Lady Red.  Spring 2013 four full years after the accident.  Well two accidents really.  One Robin had which limited her ability to left and toss hay, sheep, plus limited her lifting.  We sold the sheep 3 months later when Robin no longer could keep the sheep feet trimmed. Oh what a sad day it was as sheep were our lives for so many years.  Second accident was a few  months later when Dan rolled his pick up killing our Diamond Sky dog and sending Dan to the ER after they police announced him dead on the scene.  Well today  Dan is still dealing with the injuries recovering the best we can one day at a time.  Some times we just get tried of Lemonade.......... 

Miss Lady Red came to us from the Eugene livestock auction.  Normally it is not our go to location to get livestock however when we saw her we knew we had a winner on our hands.  Not sure why this gal was sent to auction but she is a good ewe we have used her for so many dog tests we have lost count now she has found a new love in her life, Mr. B has arrived soon baby lambs will be back in our lives again.  Looking forward to their little bit of clown like behavior to be back in the barn yard. 

Goats

Goats act much like cattle while herding thus offers the dog in training for cattle or other livestock a chance to learn with smaller less sizable animals in the beginning.