Well I've had one hell of a busy weekend!
Dad came over and helped me dig the footings for my porch, we've done some major digger work in the garden and got twenty two sheep with twenty two lambs! I think I've worked about 26 hours in two days and I'm feeling it this morning (I didn't eat dinner until quarter to ten last night!) .
I'll put some more info up later about the weekend but for now I'll just some pictures of the beginnings of our flock of sheep while I get my head around the paper work!
Congratulations on your new additions do we now call you Farmer Kev :-) we ere taking yesterday about sheep as we have the opportunity to buy some land bordering ours but nothing will be doing this side of summer.
Not a farmer yet but maybe one day! To be honest it was always something that I thought wasn't achievable but maybe I can get there one day!
This land is only rented but it's ideal, how much land are you looking at?
Hope shearers are more common there than here!
So do I as I'm planning on doing it myself! These are hoggs as well so pretty wild and would take some holding.
No brambles for them to get stuck in? We kept 10 sheep once and they were always getting their wool and themselves caught in the brambles. I prefer cattle any day.
The fields are all well fenced. I prefer sheep as it's what I know but also if you loose one it's not such a massive impact on finances. This land was rented on the assumption that I'd be keep sheep on it as that's all they want on there really.
Congratulations! Have you got a good mint patch?
Yes but I might plant some more!
Well now that you have sheep that definitely makes you a farmer. I expect they will provide some income and keep you in meat for a spell. Good job.
I'm a long way from being a farmer. Hopefully this investment will pay off in a few years and we'll get some tasty treat (although we'll probably end up with the cheap cuts like breast of lamb to find things to do with).
Nice!!! Sheep are the best livestock in my opinion. Much easier to keep in the fenced areas than other small ruminants. Our sheep will pretty much follow me where ever as long as food is involved. The only time they are a problem is when they get into the Alfalfa.
Of course you already know all that.
Buy ya a set of shears. Shearing has to be one of the most physically demanding things I have ever done especially while learning how to get the sheep into position properly but having the wool to sell is also a bonus. I think lamb is the best tasting meat on earth too even better than beef.
I'm going to start giving these a handful or two of corn a day so they'll come to the bucket. When we used to keep sheep the wool would only just pay for the shearers but I'm not sure how things are these day.
As for lamb tasting good - I grew up on the stuff and love it, we haven't had much in resent years as it's too expensive but that should change now!
Are you raising the sheep for fiber or meat or both?
Just for meat, the wool is a by product. I will sell the lambs this year and then keep the ewes for breeding, that's why I've gone for such young ewes so they last a few years.
Yea, lucky you, or should that be lucky ewe, now it beginning to look like a farm.
Slowly it's getting there! Good pun, I was wondering who'd be the first!
You caught my attention with sheep! Especially 22!
The fleece on the one in the second picture looks gorgeous.
You will certainly be kept busy.
Oh well done you! And good luck with those sheep!
Are you going to start knitting?!
When I lived in rural North Norfolk I raised 4 lambs for the freezer every year. Home reared meat is the best. You will need lots of mint and rosemary.