Breeding

We, the sheep, are breeding, and there are two groups: all-black and all-white. Some ewes are in their last breeding group, and some are in the first. The results will be delivered in late April or early May. It is an exciting time and an event we look forward to!

We have been breeding the goats and sheep for several years.  We learned the hard way when, one year, we have animals dropping babies everywhere.  We’d scurry in all directions with babies and mothers following.  All mothers and babies are secluded in what we call cribs, and there, we can keep a watchful eye on everyone.  That learning year, we had nine cribs full, and as soon as one was ready, another family was placed in the crib.

Hopefully, the odds will not be against us again and give us girls. Last year, we had an abundance of males, and even though it should have been a 50/50 chance, the odds were against us. The females are much easier to place in a new home or keep on the farm. The males are more challenging to place and sometimes require more work.

So now it is just the waiting game, and while the ewes do care for their fetuses, we will brave the winter and dream by the fire with seed catalogs.

December 12, 2020