Weened Lambs from Ewes

Thursday we weened all the lambs off the main ewe flock and moved the ewes out to the lone pine field.  

 Oats are coming along in the south and beaver fields, but not ready yet.  So far, I have discerned no difference between the two varieties of oats planted. 

New Resident

We have a new cat that is hanging around the arch barn.  I  call him or her (not sure which) Midnight (I guess for obvious reasons).  Midnight is being fed now, so that probably encourages residency.   I've seen fleeting glimpses of another all black cat, this one with long fluffy hair.  I call this cat "New Moon".

This is Midnight hanging out in the backhoe.

Fall Color

Our Bloodgood Japanese maple is showing some fall color this year. 

A night shot lit by floodlight...

Ram Lineup

The back of the shed in the ram pen, that covers their hay, overlooks where the ewes are located now.  The rams, with Hero lineup to eye the ewes.  Zeus is with the ewes.

Remembering Kratos and Anneika

It has been a week since Kratos and Anneika disappeared.   I still look around hoping to see them come wagging out of the brush, but at this point I think it unlikely.   I am sure that if they were able to come back, they would. 

We have been having trouble with coyotes lately, in particular, trouble with a black coyote.  They tend to be loners, not part of the packs that for the most part respect the territory of our dogs and stay away.   There was a lot of barking and howling that night, I  believe Kratos and Anneika chased after the coyote, or coyotes, and ran into trouble somehow.  Searches have been unsuccessful. 

They were two of our best guardian dogs and dog friends.  Kratos  and Anneika are sorely missed and well remembered. 

Hero with Rams

At about 10 months old, Hero has lots of energy.  In adition to chasing after vultures and squirrels, he is also starting to chase after some of the sheep.  Rather than put a chain on him to slow him down, I am going to try moving him in with the rams.  Here are some "getting acquainted" photos. 

Creep Feeding Lambs

We have started creep feeding the lambs.  A creep gate that allows the lambs into the feeding area, but excludes the ewes was installed.   Also set up a "car shelter" to cover a couple of the  feed troughs from rain.

Just Hanging Out Together

Heidi, Jack and Striker are enjoying laying about together in the moderate weather today.

Fox Squirrel

I knew that wildlife must have been using our water tubs, but this is my first actual sighting: a fox squirrel getting a drink. 

And as I was sitting here in the buggy posting this, another fox squirrel came by and let me get its picture. 

Green Snake

I was fishing out a couple of blocks from under some brush and I saw a branch move.  On a second look, I perceived this little green snake hunting for bugs in amongst the branches. 

Big Culvert

We put in a  3-ft culvert in a branch at the end of the mulched path that opens up into a large field.  Without rain for weeks it is dry enough to work here. 

A quiet place to read....

Fall Flowers and the Gulf Fritillary

We often see the Gulf Fritillary on flowers blooming in Joy's garden.

Also blooming along pasture edges and meadow areas is the purple false foxglove [Agalinis purpurea (L.) Pennell].

We believe this is a host plant for the Fritillary, we have seen caterpillars on the plant that resemble Fritillary caterpillars. 

The chrysalis case above was empty. 

Schommer Crossing

During wet weather the Schommer crossing is often a mess with mud and standing water, if not flushing water after a big rain.  But since it has been so dry lately, it's a good time to setup some drainage control and bring in fill dirt for the roadway. 

Last couple of days were spent with the backhoe to clear brush and small trees at the western entrance to the crossing, as  well as to dig out a drainage channel to help direct water away from the roadway. 

Lambing Season

We are well into lambing, most of the ewes have had their lambs.  Some of the lambs are old enough to be adventurous and play "king of the mountain ".

Kratos On Watch

Kratos keeps an eye on his sheep.

Mineral Feeder

Especially since we've split up the we flock for lambing, we need more of the "A" shaped feeders to protect the sheep minerals from rain.

Here are a list of materials and some photos from the recent build of 4 additional units.

For the most part, I used 1.5 x 6" dimension pine cut with our sawmill.

This shows the A frame legs and platform for the mineral tub.

The feeder is designed to contain and protect a 3 gallon Rubbermaid tub.

The feet, made from treated 4x4 blocks, 8 inches long protect the untreated pine from ground contact. 

The roof is made from 1/2" treated plywood. 

The finished mineral feeders.

Mineral Feeder list of material:

1.5x6 inch pine

• 2 - 36"  legs

• 2 - 34.5" legs

• 2 - 20" beveled one edge

• 2 - 20" tub floor

• 2 - 42 1/2" bottom, 30 1/2" top; side rail (top is 31 inches, located 21 ⅞" from peak)

1.5x2 inch pine

• 1 - 32" peak connector 

1.5x4 inch pine

• 1 - 20" ridge support

• 2 - 17" side rails for tub (rails spaced 9" apart to fit 3 gallon Rubbermaid "roughneck" tub)