Does Bombarde look happy? Well he should. I just gave him another ewe today: Rai Min.Didn't I announce to the world that I don't breed ewe lambs here at Boston Lake Farm? Well, yes I did. The old adage "Never say never," springs to mind.
The following is a small list of my rationalizations: We've had some heavy weather here in the past few days...and now the temperature is supposed to drop. I'm having a very hard time getting all the chores done in the morning before going to work, and in the evening before it gets totally dark. Bombarde and Rai Min were both doing their best to destroy the fence between themselves. I finally had to close off the barn to Bombarde and his two adult ewes to keep him from Rai Min. This evening, as I was laboring under 30 pounds of outerwear, and still freezing, I decided Bombarde and his girls couldn't go without that shelter anymore. Of all the pens, theirs is up on a bald hill. The barn blocks north winds, but these storms are blowing in from the south. My resolve was worn down by my own susceptibility to the cold. I opened up both barn doors, and rammy-lamby wishes came true. I might get the group disbanded before Rai Min gets bred. But I have to accept the fact that there will probably be consequences for my sympathetic decision. At least she is a nice big ewe lamb. Bombarde was only slightly larger in size. And at least she is being bred for a May lamb. Ah...I'm reaching...Tsk, tsk, tsk
4 comments:
Okay, Sabrina, I don't know much at all about raising sheep, but hearing about the "30 pounds of outerwear" convinced me that maybe I'm not so envious of your cold and snow after all! Love you!
Don't beat yourself up, Sabrina; Rai Min will be FINE. I don't believe in breeding ewe lambs, either, but a lot of Shetland breeders have with no ill effects. Maybe they really don't need the shelter, but I would be feeling sorry for the sheepies, too (I don't miss those Minnesota winters!)
Thanks Michelle. I'm sure she'll be fine too. I'm more worried about my dented pride than I am about Rai Min. This is a good lesson in humility for me. (Rai Min IS happy to be back with her mommy though)
Kim,it's just like a Christmas card outside right now. We haven't had a December this pretty in a long time. Reminds me of being a kid again. But by the time I'm finished with chores each morning, I'm about ready to fly down there and eat some grapefruit with you! You know I love this weather. It just gets hard to do the chores with any kind of speed before I go to work. Love you too!!!
Sometimes you just do these things, Sabrina...I'm sure Rai Min will be fine and you will feel better not worrying about coming home to find two sheep entwined in fencing trying to get to each otehr.
I've had that sort of problem here...I have one ewe lamb I didn't want to have bred this year as the only ram I've got right now is her sire. But that doesn't stop the two of them batting eyes at each other. :)
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