Wednesday 10 October 2012

Sheep getting a bit frisky

Soon after we extended the sheeps field to give them some more grass Mrs Jacob (the brown and white one) and Mrs Suffolk (the white one) both came in to season. Possibly some of the other ewes did too although it is hard to tell.
This showed up our ignorance as we rather expected it to be later that they came in to season. Based on 5 months gestation we thought it would be November/December to have lambs April/May. We did intend to separate the sheep in to a number of flocks so we would know who the fathers of lambs were. It seems it is too late now though. Also we are not quite clear whether the lambs born at the start of this year will be fertile yet or not. Some sources suggest not, but the interest the male ones were showing in the in season ewes suggest maybe they will.
The rams did a bit of fighting but nothing too serious, perhaps because Tyson is the clear winner. Col and one of the male lambs spent a lot of time standing nose to tail and kind of licking each other which flibbling a front leg - apparently aiming at the others bollocks, but not making contact it would seem.
It doesn't come out in a photo but looked very funny. Not really sure what they were up to. Must consult the internet. Tyson was the only one we saw getting any actual action.
The ear tags have arrive also, so shortly we will have some jolly fun trying to catch the little buggers and apply the tags. The instructions with them are a bit confusing too so we will most likely end up with them in the wrong ear or wrong place on the ear. We need to go and peer at some other local sheep.

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