Robin has only two weeks to go before freedom. He’s eating hay, active and quick. Next week some rain may come and the grass in the pastures should sprout.
We’ll stay with him to make sure the donkeys or wethers don’t go after him, and then he is on his own. A special Spring moment we didn’t expect.
He and Laurie are dying to get out of their stalls. Robin is in good shape.
Why do you think that a lamb and ewe need to be separated from the flock for so long? I’ve had sheep for many years (bred over 100 ewes this spring), and I’ve never done anything like that, nor do my shepherd friends. We keep lambs and their moms in jugs for a few days to keep an eye on them and make sure everyone is bonded. After that, they go out with the larger flock. (And yes, I have guardian llamas and donkeys, too.) A couple of butts from other ewes are not a big deal to a lamb.
Separating them for a month or so is quite common. Wendell Berry does it, so do our neighbors. Different things work for different people. There are lots of ways to do everything, especially in places where severe weather is such an issue. Other issues: poor mother or potentially aggressive animals like donkeys. Donkeys are guard animals and when they see something, they reflexively try to drive it away. Simon, our male rescue donkey stomped on one of our lambs, it startled him and he crushed its legs.
No, it’s not common, and it’s also not practical for a large commercial producer; we don’t have the space or time for anything like that. Wendell might be a fine writer, but he’s not a go-to for shepherding tips. I’m in Massachusetts, no stranger to weather, and I can’t imagine locking a lamb up like that. After the first couple of days, they can handle very cold weather just great.
Justin, there are many reasons to lock a lamb up- one is donkeys, who will kill a new lamb thinking it is dangerous…health is another…Robin had a rough birth and was not strong for several days…Wendell is a brilliant writer and dedicated farmer, I am happy to consider anything he does…I wouldn’t be so quick to make judgments about other people before you know what you speak. If we didn’t keep Robin locked for a few weeks he would be dead. The vet complimented us for our caution. I don’t tell other people what they should do…
Love the sweet hearts in the upper window – J + M indeed . . . . 🙂 🙂