Some of this year's Shetland lambs

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Guess which one is the ram?

The ram, Orpheus, is to be weaned next week, at 8 weeks old (he is already sold and will go to his new home almost immediately). 8 weeks sounds so early but watching how he behaves I won't wait a moment longer. No more "mystery lambs" for me!

Wow, I have never had anything to do with sheep before. This year I am seeing all kinds. Well, maybe I am just taking note of sheep that's all. After getting a half lamb and eating it almost all up, I have interest in lambs and sheep now

Very nice pictures Heda, they are pretty. I have a couple of fleece from a Suffolk X north Cheviat (think that is what is called), a virgin ewe shearing. I am giving the bag of wool to my Sister-in-Law who is going to do something with it (and I hope part of the end product will be a pair of socks me me and mine). I think I am liking the sheep breed . Anyhoo, nice picture, have an awesome day, CynthiaM.

I was warned wool would be a pain but I love it - the sheep are warm in winter and the fleece is wonderful - it's taken me a few years to find a real market for it but now I can't keep up with demand.

Angry sheep (on right) is angry!

That is the most awesome looking sheep evar! So lovely. Want *Frown*.

That's the ram, Orpheus he is just saying "I'm in control here, any questions?" He's been that way since birth, a good looking boy, saved from castration for good looks and attitude.

He is sure gorgeous. I love the angry look, makes them look epically powerful.

But he's still small enough to pick up with one hand!

Angrilly picked up. LOL

Well yes, terribly indignant. "Put me DOWN! I am a ram! Ram's don't get PICKED UP!!"

I am selling my sheep off and will miss the lambs the most. I will be buying weaned lambs in the spring to butcher in the fall, but it won't be the same. Thanks for the pics.

My lambs are MUCH younger and housed with the goats and their kids. They are VERY. disapproving of this situation. Your see, the lambs are the good children with the proper parents. They do everything they way it is supposed to be done. The goats are the bad children. They run around and cause trouble. They don't listen to their parents who quite frankly, are quite lax in their parenting skills.

Which is why I am banned from owning goats (by husband).

Sheep are remarkably obedient, most of the time.

I am afraid I identify more with the disobedient kids. They seem to have more of a spirit of adventure. The lambs are a little stodgy.

Why does that not surprise me? Did you castrate all your ram lambs? I keep all my lambs with their mothers in a fox proof barn for the first two weeks of life. Just when the ewes are begging for a break the lambs are old enough to run and jump and I let them free range.

heda gobbler wrote:Why does that not surprise me? Did you castrate all your ram lambs? I keep all my lambs with their mothers in a fox proof barn for the first two weeks of life. Just when the ewes are begging for a break the lambs are old enough to run and jump and I let them free range.

I fear I have a bad kid reputation now.

I have kept the little ram lamb whole. DarkWingDuck sold me his father for a lower price and a lamb back. Good way to share the genes. I have one ewe lamb and one not born yet.

That sounds sensible. Just a reminder - wean at 8 weeks or you may be surprised...

Orpheus should be weaned May 20th. I can see it won't be a problem - he is rarely with his mother at all - spends his days hanging with his homies.