Today we combined the spring ewe flock with the fall ewe flock, which already had the rams with them. For us, spring lambing results in salable lambs in the 60 to 70 lb range late in spring and early summer when prices are generally lowest. Best prices for sale of our lambs is in the winter, which the fall lambing provides. There are other considerations as well, so yesterday we decided to make the switch to only fall lambing. Forage is having a hard time getting going as well now, so we decided also to start providing additional hay and soon we will begin with the grain supplementation as well to help the spring ewes get in condition to cycle and make lambs for this fall.
Below is the Gator, with hay bale, towing the pallet lifter that Jeffrey made for me. It is hauling the hay feeder that we will take out to the 60-acres. The spring ewe flock was already there; this morning we led the fall ewe flock and rams out there.
Gator is in position to roll the hay bale into the hay feeder. Jeffrey is stabilizing the feeder leg before we load the hay in. From left to right are the livestock guardian dogs: Aurora, Kratos, and Anneika. Aurora is visiting from Jackie's flock. Kratos was with the spring ewes; Anneika was with the fall ewes. They will work as a team now with occasional help from Aurora. The sheep are in the background, hard to see with over exposure in that part of the photo.
The sheep followed me back from being out in the field. Aurora, Kratos and Anneika also followed back to the water, hay and gate area.
The combined ewe flock is out in an open patch of the 60-acres field.
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