SteepedInSheep
True BYH Addict
Wow, I need a pig cart. That is so handy.
Ridgetop - our place and how we muddle along
- Thread starter Ridgetop
- Start date
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- #5,082
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Yes I love this cart more than our original pig cart. This one only has a gate on one end, but it is lighter and has better wheels over the pasture.
My computer needs to be replaced. The wireless option no longer works, the screen is cracked, the pointer thingy showing you where you are on yur document no longer shws up on the screen, and now when I am typing it jumps all over the place putting words where they don't belong and moving stuff randomly. DS1 has been telling me I need a new computer for the past 2 years but I hate buying one and then DH1 has to download and reload all my files. Big hassle!
All our business files are on it.
Just back from the vet appointment. The nurse said she would email the CVI to me since she couldn't get hold of California for a permit #. Lamb is fine. She said as soon as they call her back she will email it. If I don't get it until Monday I can pull it up on my phone to cross the border I suppose, although I may need it if we are stopped in Texas. Oh yes, I just remembered I will need to fill out a CA transport slip for the lamb as well. California has a lot of rules about transport of livestock. Never got stopped while transporting, but the time I don't have the paperwork will be the time they pull us over and impound our lamb, and maybe our truck and trailer. Speaking of the trailer, just remembered we need to switch the plates from "Farm" plates to our regular trailer plates.
Two of the sprayers on our septic system stopped working. We have a service contract. I called them on Saturday 2/7 and left a message. Pulled my file and our service contract expires tomorrow, 2/10! We did not get a renewal notice. I called again this morning and arranged for a service call. The lady emaied me a new contract for the coming year and DH paid when the serviceman arrived. He repaired both sprayers. We pay parts but no labor. Glad I called when I did!
Made the mini cheesecakes last night and put them in the freezer for Bridge Tueday and Friday. I was feeling guilty about not bringing any deserts to share or the past months so this takes care of that. Got the feeding instructions and emergency numbers printed out and will give them to Barbi tomorrow. Going to make up the spare room bed today. Will get out large suitcase for trip and start packing. DD1 is going on a cruise to Mexico with her brother-in-law and wife. I will pack some dressy tops of mine for her to use with black pants for dressy evenings in the dining room. She has a beautiful formal that she can take for the formal dinner. They always have one formal night where they serve lobster and Beef Wellington.
Yummy, and so much fun to dress up.
So got a lot of stuff crossed off The List. On the other hand, I keep adding stuff DH and DS1 remind me to do.
Starting to get stressed and nervous about getting everything done before hitching and packing the trailer. Hopefully The List will keep me sane. 
Payton is on his way over to get instructions for moving hay bales. Another thing I can cross off the list.
My computer needs to be replaced. The wireless option no longer works, the screen is cracked, the pointer thingy showing you where you are on yur document no longer shws up on the screen, and now when I am typing it jumps all over the place putting words where they don't belong and moving stuff randomly. DS1 has been telling me I need a new computer for the past 2 years but I hate buying one and then DH1 has to download and reload all my files. Big hassle!
All our business files are on it. Just back from the vet appointment. The nurse said she would email the CVI to me since she couldn't get hold of California for a permit #. Lamb is fine. She said as soon as they call her back she will email it. If I don't get it until Monday I can pull it up on my phone to cross the border I suppose, although I may need it if we are stopped in Texas. Oh yes, I just remembered I will need to fill out a CA transport slip for the lamb as well. California has a lot of rules about transport of livestock. Never got stopped while transporting, but the time I don't have the paperwork will be the time they pull us over and impound our lamb, and maybe our truck and trailer. Speaking of the trailer, just remembered we need to switch the plates from "Farm" plates to our regular trailer plates.
Two of the sprayers on our septic system stopped working. We have a service contract. I called them on Saturday 2/7 and left a message. Pulled my file and our service contract expires tomorrow, 2/10! We did not get a renewal notice. I called again this morning and arranged for a service call. The lady emaied me a new contract for the coming year and DH paid when the serviceman arrived. He repaired both sprayers. We pay parts but no labor. Glad I called when I did!
Made the mini cheesecakes last night and put them in the freezer for Bridge Tueday and Friday. I was feeling guilty about not bringing any deserts to share or the past months so this takes care of that. Got the feeding instructions and emergency numbers printed out and will give them to Barbi tomorrow. Going to make up the spare room bed today. Will get out large suitcase for trip and start packing. DD1 is going on a cruise to Mexico with her brother-in-law and wife. I will pack some dressy tops of mine for her to use with black pants for dressy evenings in the dining room. She has a beautiful formal that she can take for the formal dinner. They always have one formal night where they serve lobster and Beef Wellington.
Yummy, and so much fun to dress up.So got a lot of stuff crossed off The List. On the other hand, I keep adding stuff DH and DS1 remind me to do.
Starting to get stressed and nervous about getting everything done before hitching and packing the trailer. Hopefully The List will keep me sane. Payton is on his way over to get instructions for moving hay bales. Another thing I can cross off the list.
Not to be a Debby downer, but, I would be nervous about having all of your files in just one place, especially the way your laptop is glitching. Or do you have a backup? I have 2 locations. On the computer hard drive and also an external hard drive. My son is a computer genius and he has a server set up. You can purchase an external drive and I would advise you to do that. Then it will be very easy to backup to that on a regular basis. I'd do that even if you get a new computer.
You'll be even more upset if you lose everything because of a crash.
Hope your trip goes well, sounds like it's coming together.
You'll be even more upset if you lose everything because of a crash.
Hope your trip goes well, sounds like it's coming together.
Good information. You can get a terabyte (?) external harddrive fairly cheap. It will hold everything.
- Thread starter
- #5,085
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Got home yesterday and vaxed, wormed and trimmed the hooves on the new rams. They are very docile. We really like their calm temperaments. Their hooves were sooo long! I had to cut off about an inch of hoof point before I could even start trimming the sidewalls. Then more trimming till they were looking good. DS1 kept saying "not too much" since I am unfortunately a bit aggressive when trimming hooves. LOL These hooves were fairly easy to trim. They hadn't gotten rock hard like they often do in the summer. Got a better look at the rams while out there with them. They have a lot of length as well as width and depth. Good size testes too. The younger ram has a terrific head. The South African breeders say that the Dorper ram's head is very important. The more arched it is with more wrinkles, the better. Apparently as this trait is lost the body als loses quality. This younger ram has an excellent head. Some of my rams have fewer wrinkles than is desirable so this will help my flock heads.
The new lamb is looking thin although she is lively and aggressively does after the teat. Her mother doesn't look to have a lot of milk but she s a first freshener and maybe it hasn't come in yet. I am considering culling this ewe if she doesn't start making more milk though. She s one of the survivors from our move here. Born either just before transport, en route, or just after arrival. She and her sister are out of one of my better and larger ewes, but look to be somewhat stunted themselves. If her mik doesn't come in, I think I will call the vet and see if his children (5 kids ages 3 to 11) would like to have her. I can start him off with most of a 50 lb. bag of formula. Children are great at raising bottle lambs. Since it is a ewe lamb, raising it on a bottle and keeping it as a pet would not pose a problem. I would even consider breeding it for them if it grows well. I gave it a taste of the bottle yesterday and it started sucking so is probably hungry. It didn't take much though - probably weighs only about 2 lbs. so itty bitty stomach. Probably a good name - Itty Bitty. LOL I'll see how it goes before we have to leave. I don't want to drag a bottle lamb to CA! LOL And I don't want to saddle my ranch sitter with a tiny bottle lamb.
Baymule suggested putting the last 2 pregnant ewes in jugs if they haven't lambed before we go. D1 wants to do that too since he said it would be easier for Barbi than trying to catch newborns and ewes in the field.
The new lamb is looking thin although she is lively and aggressively does after the teat. Her mother doesn't look to have a lot of milk but she s a first freshener and maybe it hasn't come in yet. I am considering culling this ewe if she doesn't start making more milk though. She s one of the survivors from our move here. Born either just before transport, en route, or just after arrival. She and her sister are out of one of my better and larger ewes, but look to be somewhat stunted themselves. If her mik doesn't come in, I think I will call the vet and see if his children (5 kids ages 3 to 11) would like to have her. I can start him off with most of a 50 lb. bag of formula. Children are great at raising bottle lambs. Since it is a ewe lamb, raising it on a bottle and keeping it as a pet would not pose a problem. I would even consider breeding it for them if it grows well. I gave it a taste of the bottle yesterday and it started sucking so is probably hungry. It didn't take much though - probably weighs only about 2 lbs. so itty bitty stomach. Probably a good name - Itty Bitty. LOL I'll see how it goes before we have to leave. I don't want to drag a bottle lamb to CA! LOL And I don't want to saddle my ranch sitter with a tiny bottle lamb.
Baymule suggested putting the last 2 pregnant ewes in jugs if they haven't lambed before we go. D1 wants to do that too since he said it would be easier for Barbi than trying to catch newborns and ewes in the field.
- Thread starter
- #5,086
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Another busy day today. DH got spare keys made for the padlocks for the trailer, and picked up another bag of the new dog food that Ozel is eating. DS1 took a load of trash to the dump. Finished more on my list, got a haircut, started packing our clothes for the trip, and hung the kitchen blind. Midway through DS1 came out and finished it for me. Then he hung the living room and laundry room blinds. Then we went out to feed.
No need to worry about the itty bitty lamb since it was dead. She was healthy and nursing this morning around 11 am with a full tummy. Might have been something wrong with it. Moved the ewe out to the open and pregnant ewes pen, cleaned the jug and put down DryStall. Too busy getting ready to leave for CA to worry about it other than being happy that I don't have to worry about what to do with it now. If you see what I mean.![:\](/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/side.png "side :\")
I noticed that P28's udder was filling out and looked very nice so she might get another chance.
No need to worry about the itty bitty lamb since it was dead. She was healthy and nursing this morning around 11 am with a full tummy. Might have been something wrong with it. Moved the ewe out to the open and pregnant ewes pen, cleaned the jug and put down DryStall. Too busy getting ready to leave for CA to worry about it other than being happy that I don't have to worry about what to do with it now. If you see what I mean.
I noticed that P28's udder was filling out and looked very nice so she might get another chance.
SageHill
Herd Master
Sorry about the lamb, but do understand one less thing to worry about while you're gone.
Baymule
Herd Master
Don't write this ewe off yet. She survived the stress and chaos of moving, being born in the middle of confusion. Give her another chance and hopefully the next lamb will be ok, then see how it grows off before you put this ewe on the chopping block. She may be a little small, but could very well go on to have nice lambs.
- Thread starter
- #5,089
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Yes, since I saw her udder was finally filling and she is a FF, P28 will get another chance. I also have her twin sister, P29. They are old Lewis' last lambs - one of my best rams. Nice temperaments, full shedding, and just all around good conformation. Both out of BL12, one of my first homebreds, and a Grade 5 ewe. She is the only daughter of 8040 who was a beautiful ewe that I lost suddenly. So both will stay for another year and we will see how they do.
Going forward on my list of chores to finish before leaving. Did 2 loads of laundry yesterday and pulling out stuff to pack - mostly work clothes since this is not a holiday trip. I am taking some stuff back for DD1 who is going on a cruise to Mexico this summer. They are taking all the children. Also taking lots of empty cartons to pack stuff to store before we can bring it out to TX. Got out the gallons of paint for the exterior of the Maude house to touch up any scuffed places. Am considering taking the 2 gallons of cream paint I bought for the TX MBR also. I didn't get around to painting that room yet so I can use them in the Maude living room to cover the areas needing patching after D2 took down the climbing apparatus he installed for his kids. If I knew he wasn't going to buy the house I wouldn't have l let him install it - it took carriage bolts into the studs!
I told DS2 to buy a fiberglass shower pan and I would tile the shower for him while I am back there. I need to add the tile tools to my list of stuff to pack. Along with the electrical tools so DS1 can add recessed lighting to his house. Just thought - he has a hot tub! I better pack swim suits for us. LOL
DS1 wants to put out extra hay before we leave. The dry ewe pasture now has 25 ewes in it so will need more hay. DS1 said to leave 8111 in with her lambs for now since he thinks the dry pasture is getting overloaded. Once we get back we willhave to fence more pastures. I think I will move the horses forward to the first pasture. They can trample the ground a bit and hopefully kill off any Barberpole worms hatching there. We will keep the sheep off that pasture for most of the summer. The front ram pasture will also lay fallow for several months to control Barberpole. The rams are currently in the middle ram area. One will go in with the dry ewes to act as a catch up ram and also to breed the next batch of ewes. I don't have any yearlings to breed this year.
DH is still talking about borrowing DS2's truck to do a turn around trip with a load of alfalfa for the next lambing. We need 2 loads to see us through the number of ewes due to lamb. We will bring 2 loads of 70 bales (110 lbs) each load. Then in May we have to go back again for another oset of doctor appointments and will pick up more alfalfa. We won't pick up the stuff in the storage unit until we cut out the kitchen cabinets to accomodate the big fridge. Then we can bring those items back. I am thinking about doing that load in the winter since we won't be bringing back too much hay over the winter when prices are higher. We will have to plan our lambing schedules around that.
Going forward on my list of chores to finish before leaving. Did 2 loads of laundry yesterday and pulling out stuff to pack - mostly work clothes since this is not a holiday trip. I am taking some stuff back for DD1 who is going on a cruise to Mexico this summer. They are taking all the children. Also taking lots of empty cartons to pack stuff to store before we can bring it out to TX. Got out the gallons of paint for the exterior of the Maude house to touch up any scuffed places. Am considering taking the 2 gallons of cream paint I bought for the TX MBR also. I didn't get around to painting that room yet so I can use them in the Maude living room to cover the areas needing patching after D2 took down the climbing apparatus he installed for his kids. If I knew he wasn't going to buy the house I wouldn't have l let him install it - it took carriage bolts into the studs!
I told DS2 to buy a fiberglass shower pan and I would tile the shower for him while I am back there. I need to add the tile tools to my list of stuff to pack. Along with the electrical tools so DS1 can add recessed lighting to his house. Just thought - he has a hot tub! I better pack swim suits for us. LOL
DS1 wants to put out extra hay before we leave. The dry ewe pasture now has 25 ewes in it so will need more hay. DS1 said to leave 8111 in with her lambs for now since he thinks the dry pasture is getting overloaded. Once we get back we willhave to fence more pastures. I think I will move the horses forward to the first pasture. They can trample the ground a bit and hopefully kill off any Barberpole worms hatching there. We will keep the sheep off that pasture for most of the summer. The front ram pasture will also lay fallow for several months to control Barberpole. The rams are currently in the middle ram area. One will go in with the dry ewes to act as a catch up ram and also to breed the next batch of ewes. I don't have any yearlings to breed this year.
DH is still talking about borrowing DS2's truck to do a turn around trip with a load of alfalfa for the next lambing. We need 2 loads to see us through the number of ewes due to lamb. We will bring 2 loads of 70 bales (110 lbs) each load. Then in May we have to go back again for another oset of doctor appointments and will pick up more alfalfa. We won't pick up the stuff in the storage unit until we cut out the kitchen cabinets to accomodate the big fridge. Then we can bring those items back. I am thinking about doing that load in the winter since we won't be bringing back too much hay over the winter when prices are higher. We will have to plan our lambing schedules around that.
rachels.haven
Herd Master
Sorry to backtrack, but I've heard about this study too. Sheep actually get copper deficient in some areas under some conditions and upping their copper in deficient animals but not to a degree that's fatal to them fixes it and gives them back their natural resistance that deficiency took away. They may also get a boost from extra selenium as being defiecent in that makes animals less resilient too. Do you need the copper boost in your area and conditions? Who knows.
That's not the direction the majority of sheep studies have been in lately supposedly. And if you don't need it upping it could be dangerous. And unlike goats that guzzle copper sheep don't need much.It's kind of like how we mix our own minerals here but do liver testing to make sure they're not over dosing (except IDK if sheep would give you that kind of leeway, they sound sensitive).
