The loss of Jeepers and Alma had me very sad for quite a long time and I really questioned the idea of having sheep here on the homestead. Their tragic loss was followed by Kia getting very, very sick, I thought she was a goner. I gave her a full cycle of Banamine, pro-biotics, iron shots, and wormer. I had the vet come out and examine her and take a blood sample. I was afraid she had some kind of wasting disease.
The blood tests came back clean, the fecal sample showed no worms, and Kia has slowly recovered. At one point while Kia was sick I gave here a small injected dose of Selenium, that is the only thing I can think of that may have saved her. I plan on getting a bit of loose Selenium and adding it to their minerals. I am told we are not in a Selenium deficient area but I'm thinking a little extra may not hurt.
I don't think Kia is pregnant, and her baby Ava is questionable. That leaves Gardenia and Azalea who may have lambs, that just wouldn't cut it for another whole year of production so I made a big decision to add a second flock.
I added two (hopefully bred) Icelandic ewes from Sunrise Sheep, they specialize in leadersheep.
The black and white badger faced girl is Zoe and the Black and silver girl is Lara.
The purebred Icelandic sheep are about 25-33% bigger than the Cascade sheep and I'm worried about being able to handle them. They sure are beautiful though....
We really had a difficult time getting them into the barn the first night. The girls were skittish and it took three humans and little Molly (that one is fearless) to put them away. Since then they have marched right into the barn every night no problem. I hope they are as intelligent as advertised and I am looking forward to having lambs from both flocks this Spring!
I'm excited for you, about your new additions. I love Icelandic sheep and we live not far from where the woman who first brought them to North America lived. My hubby was at her farm once. They are something I've always thought about having on our farm. I look forward to seeing your healthy lambies too!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your recent losses and the issues with Kia - I'm glad she's better. It's always difficult on the farm with stuff like this - last spring I went through a horrible time with one of my goat kids - not the first time and I considered it being the last time too... but the good outweighs the bad. Raising and keeping animals whom we love and have a lot invested in (emotionally, physically, financially) is not for the faint of heart!
Luckybunny - You are so correct, the good does far outweigh the bad. I shouldn't dwell on the past, not when I have goat babies coming in the Spring!
DeleteAwww. Sweet. Good luck.
ReplyDeleterkbsnana - By looking at the size of the new sheep I think I will need the luck, thank you!
DeleteLoosing sheep is one of the hardest things on a farm...I considered selling my sheep as well with the loss of my ram,no lambs for us next year.
ReplyDeleteI have since decided to keep them with hopes of finding a ram next year.
Sheep losses will never get easier,being rare breeds hits you that much harder.
Glad you are keeping them,good luck with your new girls!
Farmer - The lost generations of sheep not born is what weighs on me. I enjoy the sheep so much that I couldn't just give up, thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteGlad you got a couple of girls. I know how much you've enjoyed the sheep, and it would be a shame if you didn't have them. Hope the new girls are bred.
ReplyDeleteTeresa - I'm almost certain that Lara is bred, Zoe if iffy. I'm just looking forward to some lambs bouncing around this place this Spring, they fit in nicely with the goats!
DeleteWOW!! They are gorgeous!!! Congrats on the new additions! ;)
ReplyDeleteStacy - I figured if a normal small farmer like yourself could handle them that I could too. Thanks for your advice during Kia's illness, I really appreciated it.
DeleteI have to say that intelligence isn't a word I've ever associated with sheep ;)
ReplyDeleteThey do look great though, and I hope so much it works out for you. It's soooo awful when things happen to our animals. :(
A x
Homeschool - Follow the Leadership link in the post, some of the stories of the Leader sheep are just amazing.
DeleteI'm glad you were able to find some new sheep! They all look lovely. My first spinning project was with Icelandic, I truly enjoyed it. I love Zoe's badger face!
ReplyDeleteAutumn - Thank you, I love the Badger face look too!
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