It's easy to blog about the good stuff that happens on the farm, but really hard to write about the bad, especially when it is fresh and stinging. I don't want this blog to be a view "through rose colored glasses"... I think too many people tell only about the "ups" and the "downs" are left in the back of the proverbial closet where nobody can see. I want to share our "downs" too... It might be a learning tool for someone and it will definately be good therapy for me to write about it!
Each breeding season is kind of like blowing up a balloon... every step you take toward lambing is like blowing another breath in. You choose the right ram, vaccinate, worm, feed the right food, and when lambing time arrives you have a nice shiney balloon to marvel at. The problem with balloons is that sometimes things don't go according to plan and you feel the balloon (and your spirits) deflate.
Yesterday morning as we were penning the ewes in the barn for shearing, we found an aborted fetus on the barn floor... This was a first for us. If you search the internet for "aborted lamb", you find a multitude of horrible diseases that can quickly attack a flock and cause an "abortion storm". On the other hand, something as simple as a ewe getting bumped at the feeder by another ewe can cause an abortion.
By now, most readers probably know that my mind automatically expects the worst so besides being upset about the lost lamb, I was instantly worried about the rest of the flock. I called my vet and he told me that I needed to calm down. He said that if we were to lose another lamb then we should take the fetus in for testing and start treating the flock, but that one abortion is not cause for mass hysteria.
We have in the last two weeks introduced two groups of ewes together, moved them into a new area (the barn), and penned them on Sunday to trim feet, worm, and vaccinate - it is very reasonable to think that the ewe got bumped... but I will be watching the flock like a hawk and worrying. Ahhh, the joys of keeping livestock.
DEFLEECED
Shearing itself went VERY well... I am really happy with how the ewes look - it can be a challenge to know how fat/skinny they are under 3 - 4 inches of wool and is nice to know we are getting better at judging body condition. Even our "old girls" look good.
Cheviot Ewes awaiting Shearing...
Merino Ewe getting naked...
We gave extra hay to the ewes and will keep them out of the wind until their wool starts to grow back and their bodies acclimate to losing their wool coat.
NAKED SHEEP!!!
DETERMINED
All of the ewes are acting great and looking very healthy - even the ewe that aborted is eating and drinking and chewing her cud. We gave her a shot of antibiotics because we could...
I am determined not to stress out over this set-back to the point where it isn't enjoyable anymore. Afterall, you have to love the journey in order to love the destination.
I am determined to keep blowing up this balloon... true, it could pop, but life is a party and what's a party without a few balloons?
To bad about the abortion. That happened to my goat, Zoe. Sometimes it can be hard on a mom when she loses her baby, but usually they don't take to long to recover. Good luck with the rest of your lambing season!
ReplyDeleteSome folks think it's sacreligious to pray for animals, I'm not one of them. I'll say a prayer for you AND your sheep! God bless you.
ReplyDeleteIt is most likely the butting that caused the abortion, and it sounds like you have a good common sense vet. I have one vet that will start listing all the possible horrors and put me into a panic. It's important to know what it might be, but it usually isn't the worst that could happen. The sheep all look so beautiful and clean. It's obvious you give them excellent care.
ReplyDeleteI agree it's important to talk about all aspects of the farming life. It isn't always cuddles and cute. Luckily it is most of the time.
Teresa
I agree losing one so young is disturbing. Looks like you all take great care of your animals. It just wasn't meant to be this time. It's easy for me to say try not to worry. I'm a worry wort also. These animals become family.
ReplyDeleteLast year we had one of our Gotland cross yearling ewes abort a little black lamb :-( She will be 2 this April and is bagging up already with lambs!!
ReplyDelete