6 April, 2011

Our friends in Putney informed us that two lambs were born on the 4th. Four of our "Lorna" woolies, Emma, Anna, Colette and Sapphire also spent the autumn there and were bred by the same ram, Franklin. So, we are anticipating births here at Poplar Hill farm any hour now.

Our present flock consists of the five "Lorna" woolies:
Emma, born in 2008 to Magic (Shetland/Border Leicester) and Deliolah (Jenny/Shetland & Prima /Border Leicester)
Anna, born in 2005 to Less (Betty & Levin, both Border Leicester) and Fat Jenny (Black Shetland)
Colette, born in 2006 (twin) to Less and Fat Jenny
Saphire, born in 2009 to Prince and Alison
Magdalene, born last year 2010, to Emma and Franklin
Our Katahdin mixes who were bred by Joseph are:
#1062, 1067, and 1068
The rest are:
Mary, born last year 2010 and Joseph's sister
Pinky, a Katahdin mix
Xaviar
& 1070

This past 14th of Nov., our friend Bill picked up Dot # 1069 to add to his flock. Unfortunately Dot became way too aggressive against our Border Collies. Bill also picked up Joseph on Dec. 19 for a trip to a new USDA facility in Westminister, VT.
On Nov. 7 we picked up the four woolies in Putney and transported them very nicely to our place in our horse trailer. So, all twelve sheep spent the winter here at Poplar Hill Farm, and without incident.
On Feb. 23 we did seperate 1070, Xaviar and Pinky from the rest so that they would receive just hay and a daily half cup of alfalfa pellets and half cup of corn. The rest, the two youngsters and the seven pregnant ewes, are now receiving considerably more alfalfa & corn.
Valerie was alarmed to find 1067 on her back and unable to move on March 12th. She was probably in that position for a while. Fortunately she never aborted and is in great shape. What happens during the winter period is that paths, which lead to various points where hay is left, are created and built up and compacted with snow to the extent where our paddock area is crisscrossed by these high 10 inch plus mounded paths. Apparently she slipped off from one and ended up on her back and was unable to right herself.
This past Sunday, April 3, Valerie asked me to build a windbreak addition to the barn so that 1070, Xaviar & Pinky had a nice, comfortable place to be during the rain. The others have access to a barn stall.