Today we were expecting the arrival of three sponged ewes hoping to visit for 4 weeks staying with my ram The Welchman. We hope that this will allow the ewes at least 2 breeding cycles after which they will be in lamb to him. So I had to go get himself out of the field were he was with the other rams.
He was not too pleased being separated from his buddies but I tempted him away down the lane with the magic bucket.
Once we got to the paddock close to the yard I gave him a small spill of nuts.
Now all we had to do was wait for the Ladies to arrive.
They are a very friendly group and very fond of their owner Jim.
While unloading the ewes Bodacious comes into the yard to inspect the temporary new flock additions.
I do not normally allow other sheep from a different flock come visit a ram for 4 weeks on my farm. As I don’t want to introduce any health problems to my flock. When ever I have bought in ewes I keep them separate from main flock for a few months if possible. But I knew the history of this flock and where it came from, so I’m not too worried about introducing any diseases into my flock for these 3 visiting ewes. But still the first thing these 3 ewes get is a foot-bath before they can visit with The Welchman.
Once out of the bath like all sheep they have to wait for their feet to dry. I have placed The Welchman in the paddock next to the yard so they can start their greetings through the gates mesh.
After a half hour of hooves dry standing we open the gate between the ewes and The Welchman.
The Welchman trots in to greet his new visitors.
Then quickly follows them out of the yard into the paddock.
The ewes happily wander out into the paddock with the Welchman following them.
Time for Jim to say good bye to his 3 ewes who all come over for a good scratch.
You can see the Zwartbles sheep are a very friendly breed of sheep and it has nothing to do with the way I treat my flock of sheep that makes my flock unique in their friendliness. I have never met these ewes so you can see how easy their temperament is with their owner.
Once they ewes had settled in and The Welchman had introduced himself to all three ladies, I put them out into a bigger field.
