frisbeegirl

Hi, I too needed to wait to start my flock almost two years of research. Most of the advice I received here on the boards was to check out the sheep raised in your area. This should minimize any health issues purchasing the wrong sheep for the pastures or even the weather. I have purchased a merino mix breed called a cormo. The fleece is beautiful and after my first shearing each fleece was worth $1200. Not bad for a beginner. They are a little difficult for Keeva to work they don't flock well and can jump really, really high. But we are taking lessons and she is a blast to work. Good Luck. My advice figure out what you want to do. Food, Wool, Trialing. Robin

So a dog trained for trials does that fall in the recreational herding category ?

I have sheep. So there has never been anyone entering a trial or a nursery trial that has not had sheep of their own? I find that hard to believe.

Recreational herding ?????????? You are either herding or your not. The Dog is either herding or its not. I must really be missing something.

Have Fun. They can be easy keepers. I have had my ewe lambs for 3 months now. My DH wasn't too excited either but now I catch him just watching them. He loves to send Keeva to fetch them.

Yeah Maybe. I have never seen her show her teeth to anyone or anything on our farm. Personally I don't think snarky is bad. Just like me she would rather be around sheep than people and other dogs.

There have been a few threads about border collies being snarky. I had no idea what it was and what it meant. Well !!!!! a short story. Keeva is two and had a checkup at the Vet yesterday. She hasn't gone in a year I think. All the training that she has had went out the window. First she pulled me like a 200lb dog to the front door. When we sat down to wait our turn she jumped on my lap and tried to crawl inside of me. Vet was running late. A young women with a young male mix came out. Woman says is she friendly and of course I say yes. Wrong, The woman turns to her dog and says "dude you need to read body language" and I look at keeva and she is barring her teeth without any sound at all. She could not wait to get home. Snarky Really ?

Hi I used 16 foot livestock panels(smaller on the bottom). I was lucky I had a horse fence already in the pasture so I didn't need to put in posts. The farm that I purchased my sheep from did not suggest any barb wire. It rusts and sheep can get tetanus and injuries. I had a foal years ago that ripped a tendon on old barn wire that was left from cattle. I used the woven wire for the gates. Good Luck.

Many people I know say the lambs finished on pasture have a stronger flavor than lambs finished on grains and silage, For me the local grassfed lamb is the best ever! Don't plan on eating mine.

The light tan one, with the white on her face. On Wednesday I called her the brown bitch !

Here are the lambs, Safe and Sound.

Hi, Haven't been here lately, but would like to relay an adventure I had on Wednesday. I have a 2 year old border collie and picked up 3 ewe lambs. Put the lambs in the back of a jeep (wrangler) drove them home. Unloaded them in their paddock. Done. Whatever on earth possessed me to let the lambs into the pasture which every bone in my body said too soon, too soon. Well I did. What happened next was what one would call a free for all. As soon as the lambs leaped out of their paddock into the pasture both dogs flanked them this would have been fine however they got thru a small panel in the fence right into the horses field. Now the horses were not happy and chased them out of their field. At this point I have two lambs on the other side of my rock wall and one I have no idea. (Please do not give me advice, site me for cruelty to animals, I have learned my lesson and am so humbled by this experience.) I get a hold of the two that are together and carried one (40lbs at least) and place them back in the paddock. Good, right ! Not quite, know idea where the runner went. Let me sum this up 6 hours later ,I find her on a ridge maybe a 1/2 mile from me. Below the ridge a small 3 acre lake or pond. BC is on leash with me and the lamb starts heading down the ridge to the pond. I take the leash off of Keeva and she turns that crazy lamb right into the pond. SHEEP CAN SWIM !!!!!! That lamb swam to the other side of the pond and I grabbed her and carried her home. They are happy it is day 3 and I have more fence to reinforce this weekend.

Hello, Question here, needed to change Keeva's food(first time ever, she is now 20 months). Went from Orijen 38% crude protein, 18% crude fat to Taste of the Wild 32% crude protein same 18% crude fat. There are also subtle differences in vitamins, amino acids, minerals and botanicals. We are working with sheep 3 times a week, (my lambs are coming mid June). I was hoping someone may be able to answer my question about the 6% decrease in protein. I don't see any change in her desire to do anything I ask of her but I want to make sure that this subtle difference will not have an effect on her. Between training and lambs she will be very busy.

There is alot of information on the internet about border collies using the words "hyper" and "crazy". They want a job to do. Simple or hard they will do it. People who get a border collie and think they can tire them out will soon find out they are sadly mistaken. That is a recipe for disaster. I think you are lucky but I think all border collie owners are lucky.

Thank You. We worked this weekend and I walked(hiked out to the sheep) and "Yelled" left and she looked at me as if she was puzzeled and moved right, I yelled left again and she went to the left and lifted the sheep. She did this once. I was happy

Hi, Keeva is 16 months and has been on sheep since October. When we started her away was always right to the sheep. Most times the sheep were in the same area on the 60 acres and her outrun was to the right. Always finds them and drives them to me. There are days when I don't see the sheep so she works independently. But recently with the snow cover I see the sheep. They are so much closer if Keeva were to go left. Would save her time and energy I think. Here's the problem. When not on sheep we are also doing search and rescue(because of 20 inches of snow cover) and I point if she is unable to find the object. If I point to the left she will start that way then cross over to the right. I also don't think I should point. We are working on left and right commands. Does this matter? Thank You

Thanks, Are they held in the snow ? I tried to find a few videos. I would think that more time would be given as it is slow moving in all the snow, especially for me.

After working in -1 degree and 14 inches of snow on the farm, I started to wonder if there are or have ever been sheep dog trials held in the snow ? Most trials in the US are held in warmer climates when it is winter in the midwest or northeast. Keeva has become solid muscle. Getting through all that snow is hard. Although she will never let me know, however I have to admit I am breathing mush heavier these days. I guess there wouldn't be many spectators at these winter events.

My Keeva was from a litter of 3 and the only one that survived. The breeder new she was special and I agree. Touches my heart every minute of everyday.

Wildo, Maybe once you do any sheep herding you may change your mind on the replay. Believe me Keeva and I are as green as it gets but the qualifing runs were awesome as a learning tool. (not that we could ever aspire to that level) but who knows. Only time will tell.

Diane & Tess, Enjoy everyday !

Diane, I am So sorry. It is hard to let them go.

Partial Quote from Movie(facebook) "First, you get a dog. Then, you get a couple of acres and a few sheep. Then, you find yourself living on a big farm." Wow, how one little 8 week old pup has changed my life forever. Well Done Andrew and Andrew !

Away to me was delivered this afternoon in my mailbox. Which unfortunately is 3/4 of mile from my house. Keeva and I walked as we have received another 3inches of snow and more is coming. Hot chocalate is on. She is drying off. Great day for a movie.

Hi, Every once in awhile my BC will continue as you say keep sniffing or keep digging (in the snow) for that yummy frozen horse poop. For me that is not acceptable she needs to come immediately. When I call and she doesn't respond immediately, I stop bend at the waist and point my finger to the ground right in front of me. (Wow, and we all thought border collies were fast.) It doesn't end there I make her sit and look in her eyes and place my hand gently under her head so she is looking at me and tell her come means come. She understands. I use it from time to time as re-enforcement. Good Luck !