We have spent several days in the last week weaning our lambs.
Here are a few pics of what we got up to ........
The ewes and lambs have no idea what you're up to when you first get to the paddock, all is innocent and they don't know this is the last day they'll be together.........
but they soon work out that something is going on and they start running........
We couldn't muster and get them home without the help of the dogs........
and of course the kids help out too! Christmas came early for this lucky girl, a new motorbike a week ago......... and it's already got so many hours on it, it needs to go back to town for it's first service. lol She has been a big help though..............
Nearly there now though ......... just a little bit further up the hill .........
and round the corner and down into the yards...........
By now the ewes know what is up and they don't want to go into the yards. This was two paddock of ewes and lambs, and we weaned about 8-10 paddocks each day. We muster them all home early in the morning while it's cool for the sheep and dogs to travel and then we wean the whole lot through the sheepyards.
This is Phoebe with her lamb, she was a pet lamb a couple of years ago. Most of the pets in our flock are still friendly, which can be a pain when you're trying to chase a mob of sheep in one direction and out of the middle one comes up to you wanting a pat or a scratch on the back.
I don't have pics of the next stage, cause it was all a bit dusty and busy in the yards from then on. Basically we just draft the ewes one way and the lambs the other, and it is very hot, dusty, smelly, noisy and dirty work. We were definitely looking forward to a hot shower and a cold beer by the end of the day! I do feel sorry for the ewes and lambs, seems like they've had a lovely life together for the last 3 months and then we hop in there and split them up. Pretty mean, huh? Mean, but necessary though.........
This is the ewes going across last years crop paddock after weaning. Can you see the straight lines they're walking in, following one behind the other?
We've had a heat wave here since the start of December, a nice change from the constant rain in November, but we're getting very low on water, so only using what we must.
Well, I'd better go and move a couple of mobs of lambs, and check some ewes. Hubby is busy on the tractor getting paddocks ready for crop and regrassing. Thanks for stopping by, hope you're enjoying some busy and rewarding days too, and hope your Christmas plans are falling into place .........
..... till next time, happy stitching ...... Nicky
22 comments:
Gee Nicky it really is getting dusty and dry down there. Those ewes are so queer, you get rid of their lambs and they just follow the leader - sad really eh? Mind you they are all looking really healthy. Enjoy that beer.
hugs and Merry Christmas
Miche'le
Great shots, it does look dusty...the fine, warm weather is all right for us townies but let's hope there is some rain down south to fill up those water tanks for you..hope the beer was refreshing!
Thanks for this glimpse into your lives... hope you get some rain soon...
Hugz
Your farm looks like a great place to raise a family and enjoy life. Poor little lambs, but as you say, necessary. The weather is cool and wet here in central NSW, the tanks and dam are full, so I'll send it over to you now!
Nicky what busy people you are on the farm,i so love your views,its a very pretty place.
That's an amazing photo of the sheep following each other in straight lines. Thanks for sharing a day in the life of a sheep farm!
Awesome pictures, I can almost smell the sheep and the dust.
Enjoy your beer.
Great post...I showed Jindi how her life could have been and she curled up under the computer desk and went to sleep! Lazy kelpie!!! Hope the rain remembers to come back.
Love the photos Nicky they are gorgeous. Weaning is sad isn't it! We are still getting the rain here in the North Island.
Michelle
The part you didn't tell was then they all baa and baa all .....y night long which keeps one awake if they are near the house.
Sorry you are not getting some of this rain. We are now unable to get on with our work cause of the wet.
Fantastic views and I bet you are glad to have that all done, so many sheep! All healthy, well done,
Those are really incredible photos to look at for a sheltered city girl like me. That aerial view looks like rush hour on our highways!
Thanks for sharing these.
Awesome photos Nicky....I miss the sheep stations from down south.
Always love seeing your sheep photos, Nicky!! How many acres is your farm--it looks just huge!
Great pix! Real NZ.
Thanks for all the pictures and the explanations with them. You are really an amazing woman! Though you probably take what you do for granted, from the perspective of a retired teacher living in built-up Florida, your whole life is amazing. How you do all you do outside and then keep house, family, cooking AND stitching and blogging--well, WOW! Merry Christmas!
Thanks for such a fascinating look at your world!
Although, a bike? My parents would freak if I even suggested something like that!
I hate taking the calves away from their Mums... I know it's part of farming, unfortunately it is the way it is :O)
The boys in our house are all bike mad... my 11 year old daughter wants one too... how old is your daughter? What kind of Kawasaki is it?
My favourite New Zealand landscapes and my favourite sheep! Thank you for sharing Nicky!
Hugs,
Tatyana
Hey Nicky,
I'm just a humble city girl so forgive my ignorance, buy why do the lambs and ewes need to be separated? And this city girl from a tiny country also wonders how many sheep you've got as it seems like a lot!
love all the pics............esp the last one of all the sheep walking across the paddock.........love the bike what is it........how old is your girl.........mine wants a new motor bike for christmas too.......
Love your sheep pictures and comments. I have learned so much from reading your blog posts about your raising livestock! Now I understand the saying of following the lead sheep and falling off the cliff. Hope you receive rain soon. The beer is just what you need for the dry & dusty conditions. Love you post.
Post a Comment