April 23, 2021
As our pastures begin to re-emerge from last summer's drought and this winter's slumber, I have been pleasantly surprised. I was expecting poison ivy, thistles and other plants that are indicators of poor, overgrazed pastures, but as the plants have begun to grow in it's mostly healthy looking grass and palatable legumes. It is a living affirmation that we indeed pulled our animals off the fields last summer in time to save the pasture. We are still begrudgingly driving to Litchfield, every couple of weeks to buy overpriced hay, while impatiently waiting for our pastures to grow. Once the grass is 6-8 inches tall, we can begin to let the sheep graze. ( Honestly if I wait for 6 inches it'll be a miracle....)
Before we actually turn the flock loose in the pasture, we begin what I call “spring training”. For several days, we will feed them hay in the morning and then when their stomachs are full, we will let them graze in the pasture for a few hours in the afternoon. This allows their rumens to slowly adjust to the change in diet, and avoids bloating, which can be lethal.
As happy as I am right now with our pastures, I am even happier with our lambs! We have fewer in number, but they are all thriving. When lambs are born, they stand up and walk within minutes, yet they remain by their Mom's side, basically inseparable, for the first several days. As the ewes concentrate on eating, or resting, and the lambs gain confidence to venture out on their own, they quickly make friends with the rest of the lambs. Banding together, they race one another around the pasture and take turns climbing over everything and jumping off rocks and stumps. The lamb's shenanigans only last for a few weeks, as once they are weened, grazing takes up most of their time, and there is little time or energy left over for playing. With the health issues our flock had in 2020, it seemed that none of the lambs had the energy to play - this year though, they are making up for it! When Anne and I spend time in the pasture, I am content if the lambs seem content, quietly hanging out, waiting for their moms, ears erect with a relaxed demeanor, not complaining or needing. It is enough for me to know they are okay, but to see them running and gamboling, clearly having excess energy to burn – it truly makes my heart sing.
check out our video of lambs playing