Yesterday I told you about the bitter cold temperatures and the new ice sculpture opportunities freezing in our water tanks. We run water tank deicers for the horses and donkeys, but currently have 5 different groups of sheep and I just can't bring myself to give that much additional financial funding to the electic company.
Tonight I have had to resort back to my yearly winter exercise routine of carrying buckets of fresh water to all of the sheep. In addition to the cost savings on the electric bill, I am also saving a BUNCH of money on a gym membership. I figure that if I squirrel away all of these saved pennies that one day when I come to my senses I will be able to afford to run more deicers.
Now if I could only get this ice sculpture business off and running we would really be cooking with fire... (or rather ice?)
Hope everyone is staying warm!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Weekend Recap!
Friday and Saturday were dry days and brought temperatures in the mid-thirties. We took advantage of the weather to get some Christmas shopping done. I also fit in a short 3-4 mile run on Saturday and judging by the change in weather since, it may be the last one for some time...
We attended a "Barn Warming" party on Saturday evening at Kat and Bill's Laughing Horse Farms in Lapeer. We were celebrating their new Clydesdales and the new barn they built for them. It was a great party and while I was a bit "under the weather" on Sunday as a result of a few celebratory cocktails, we had a great time. Kat is the friend who introduced me to horses... it seems that sometimes life gets busy and too much time goes by between visits but I am always glad when we reconnect and have a chance to catch up.
Sunday was a day of snowfall and dropping temperatures. We filled all of the water tanks and gave everyone some extra hay for what was forecasted to be a bitter cold and windy night. The snow continued through the night and by Monday morning we had nearly a foot with drifts. Temps have hovered under 10 F with windchills in the minus double digits all day and those freshly filled water tanks should be ready for carving into ice scuptures any minute...
The week promises more of the same. I am hoping that they are able to get the roads cleared - my commute today was treacherous and Zumba was CANCELLED!!?!?! On a positive note - all of the animals seem very content and happy with the extra food - it amazes me how well equiped they are to deal with frigid temps.
Hope that everyone stays warm - winter weather has arrived even if we are officially still in Fall. Just think, it is only a few more days before the shortest day of the year and then we start adding daylight back on! WHEW HOO!!!
We attended a "Barn Warming" party on Saturday evening at Kat and Bill's Laughing Horse Farms in Lapeer. We were celebrating their new Clydesdales and the new barn they built for them. It was a great party and while I was a bit "under the weather" on Sunday as a result of a few celebratory cocktails, we had a great time. Kat is the friend who introduced me to horses... it seems that sometimes life gets busy and too much time goes by between visits but I am always glad when we reconnect and have a chance to catch up.
Sunday was a day of snowfall and dropping temperatures. We filled all of the water tanks and gave everyone some extra hay for what was forecasted to be a bitter cold and windy night. The snow continued through the night and by Monday morning we had nearly a foot with drifts. Temps have hovered under 10 F with windchills in the minus double digits all day and those freshly filled water tanks should be ready for carving into ice scuptures any minute...
The week promises more of the same. I am hoping that they are able to get the roads cleared - my commute today was treacherous and Zumba was CANCELLED!!?!?! On a positive note - all of the animals seem very content and happy with the extra food - it amazes me how well equiped they are to deal with frigid temps.
Hope that everyone stays warm - winter weather has arrived even if we are officially still in Fall. Just think, it is only a few more days before the shortest day of the year and then we start adding daylight back on! WHEW HOO!!!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Cold Hands...
Ugly Dog's Farm hit the single digits this morning - we are clear and crisp at 7 degrees F... There is no wind to speak of and other than the usual winter challenge of keeping the water tanks open, things are going pretty smoothly.
Some snow would help even out the footing after the late fall mud we had been dealing with a week ago, but everyone seems to have their "runways" worn pretty smooth and all of the sheds look warm and cozy with straw beds.
I have to say that these cold temps have turned the dial up on my Christmas spirit... "Bah Humbug" 2 weeks ago has given way to singing carols along with Sarah McLachlan or the cast of "Glee" on the way to and from work.
Todays words of wisdom are (1) dress warmly and (2) bring earplugs if you will be riding in the car with me... (some might say that this is always a good idea)
Some snow would help even out the footing after the late fall mud we had been dealing with a week ago, but everyone seems to have their "runways" worn pretty smooth and all of the sheds look warm and cozy with straw beds.
I have to say that these cold temps have turned the dial up on my Christmas spirit... "Bah Humbug" 2 weeks ago has given way to singing carols along with Sarah McLachlan or the cast of "Glee" on the way to and from work.
Todays words of wisdom are (1) dress warmly and (2) bring earplugs if you will be riding in the car with me... (some might say that this is always a good idea)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Thumbs, Fists, and Kittens...
Waiting for lambing time has always been very exciting for me. I have never been overly fond of the cold and dark winter months, but since we have been raising sheep, the winters seem to pass by with much less "seasonal slump" than before.
My good friend, Ann Simeral, from Ohio told me that each year while waiting for lambs to come, she and her husband Don will talk about how big the lambs would be as they are growing inside their dams. This has given me a great visual image and I have pictured my lambs growing from nothing to the size of thumbs, then to fists, and next little kittens.
As I do my evening chores each night, I think about how many lambs we might have next year and when they will be born... I think about which ewes are getting older and how they have contributed to my flock... I look around at the replacement ewes we have kept and consider which of my old girls have produced those lines. It is those old girls who have contributed so much that I wonder how much longer they will be with us.
We have spread out our breeding season this year so I am sure right now we have many thumbs, fists, and kittens growing... There is a lot of careful planning, management, and good luck needed over the next few months to ensure they make it out safely! Let's hope that we are up to the challenge!
My good friend, Ann Simeral, from Ohio told me that each year while waiting for lambs to come, she and her husband Don will talk about how big the lambs would be as they are growing inside their dams. This has given me a great visual image and I have pictured my lambs growing from nothing to the size of thumbs, then to fists, and next little kittens.
As I do my evening chores each night, I think about how many lambs we might have next year and when they will be born... I think about which ewes are getting older and how they have contributed to my flock... I look around at the replacement ewes we have kept and consider which of my old girls have produced those lines. It is those old girls who have contributed so much that I wonder how much longer they will be with us.
We have spread out our breeding season this year so I am sure right now we have many thumbs, fists, and kittens growing... There is a lot of careful planning, management, and good luck needed over the next few months to ensure they make it out safely! Let's hope that we are up to the challenge!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sunday in December...
Yesterday was a busy day... Pam dropped Milton and Norman off around 11:30AM. They trimed three draft horses, four light horses, put shoes and snow pads on Riot and trimmed all four donkeys and were finished by 2 pm.
Our 16 Border Cheviots brood ewes were also enjoying their dinner this evening....
Sunday started with Breakfast at Jimmy's Coney Village Cafe in Davison with our friends Mel and Roberta. After running a few errands, we ended up picking up a truck load of firewood.
When we returned home, we caught the clun ram (X63) breeding the clun ewe lamb (X42) so we should be able to plan for May 1st lambing. It is amazing what a differance a day makes... the mud of last week has frozen over, here are the Merinos enjoying their alfalfa hay...
The suffolk girls are into their 2nd breeding cycle with Alexander, our homegrown Border Cheviot ram lamb, and should be ready to go to their new home on the weekend of December 18...
Each nighttime feeding ends with the donkeys... Barney, who is in his thirties or forties gets to take his time eating his grain while I fend off the others. His blanket seems to keep him warm in the cold weather.
Friday, December 3, 2010
A Busy Friday...
It was a crisp December day and we took advantage of the nice weather while it lasts. We picked up a truckload of some nice alfalfa hay this morning and stopped for lunch on the way home.
We ran the clun ewes into the barn, wormed them, and trimmed their feet. Then we caught the clun ewe lamb (X42) who has grown beautifully and put her in with the older ewes. I am really thrilled with how she is put up and can't believe how mature she looks for 8+ months old... this is the first time we have ever considered breeding a ewe lamb.
Our decision to breed her this year was based on her maturity, the fact that many clun breeders routinely breed their ewe lambs, and the demand we have seen in the past year for clun lambs. I think that she will do just fine, but we'll definately be close by to watch for any issues. Here is another picture of her with some of the other ewes so you can see her compared to some mature clun ewes.
You probably also noticed that we decided not to wait until Sunday to put the clun ram lamb (X63) in with the ewes... that is him in the far right of the shot above.
He wasted no time in getting to know his girls...
Apparently the ewes and this young buck were waiting for the day when we would FINALLY put them together. This little guy is definately not shy and these ladies were not playing hard to get. The countdown to our 2011 Clun lambing season has begun!
We ran the clun ewes into the barn, wormed them, and trimmed their feet. Then we caught the clun ewe lamb (X42) who has grown beautifully and put her in with the older ewes. I am really thrilled with how she is put up and can't believe how mature she looks for 8+ months old... this is the first time we have ever considered breeding a ewe lamb.
He wasted no time in getting to know his girls...
Definately doing the right things...
Definately showing interest...
Thursday, December 2, 2010
First Snow of the Season...
December gave us a taste of things to come yesterday with the first snow of the season... maybe an inch of the white stuff by the time it was done. I tried to take a few pictures of the Clun ram lamb gearing up for his introduction to the ewes this weekend, but it is just too dark by the time I get home from work... you will have to wait another day.
Roads were pretty slick last night on the way to and from working out (I love Zumba). It was pretty hard to see through the blowing snow and by the time I got home, I had convinced myself that my sheep run-in sheds needed more straw. Rather than laying awake for hours contemplating my failure as a shepherd for not spreading more straw, I trudged out and did it in the dark. Wayne followed me out and bedded down the Merinos and the Cluns.
It is gearing up to be a busy weekend...
Friday - worm/trim feet on the Clun ewes, move the Clun ewe lamb in with the older girls, and dinner with the Pitchfork Ranch girls at El Charrito.
Saturday - Amish boys will be over to trim/shoe the horses and donkeys (always fun).
Sunday - X63 goes in with the Cluns (final breeding group for 2011)
Roads were pretty slick last night on the way to and from working out (I love Zumba). It was pretty hard to see through the blowing snow and by the time I got home, I had convinced myself that my sheep run-in sheds needed more straw. Rather than laying awake for hours contemplating my failure as a shepherd for not spreading more straw, I trudged out and did it in the dark. Wayne followed me out and bedded down the Merinos and the Cluns.
It is gearing up to be a busy weekend...
Friday - worm/trim feet on the Clun ewes, move the Clun ewe lamb in with the older girls, and dinner with the Pitchfork Ranch girls at El Charrito.
Saturday - Amish boys will be over to trim/shoe the horses and donkeys (always fun).
Sunday - X63 goes in with the Cluns (final breeding group for 2011)
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