Mona Howard

I had a setup where the sheep could go under the hot wire and leave the horse pasture to go into their own pen when it was time for hay. The horses had their own hay feeders. Once I forgot to close the gate when the sheep went into their own pen at feed time so they ate their own hay and went back into the horse section to see what they could steal from the horses. I saw this from a window and before I could get outside to separate them my mare had kicked one of the ewes in the head. She dropped like a brick and I though she was dead, but she got back up after just a minute and walked away as if nothing had happened. I felt terrible and made sure the gate was never left open again at feed times.

Okay, now my question....Do you get it tanned so it is "washable" as I have seen advertised? What does it actually mean? I wouldn't suppose you could toss it in your home washing machine? Take it to a dry cleaner???

So where do you take your sheep Julie? Since you are in NC and I'm in VA maybe it would not be too far for me. Or do you have buyers come to your farm? There's an auction about an hour and a half from here in Blacksburg. I was going to go once (without sheep) just to observe. I have no experience with them. I'm sure they are not like New Holland in regard to prices but they are close. Thanks.

This year my pastures are all burnt up and I have been feeding hay at a time when the sheep are usually up to their bellies in grass. Unfortunately my sheep now associate me with the green stuff and everytime I set foot out of the house there are one or two that start blaring at the top of their lungs. Usually this is incentive for others to join in. It's not that they don't like the hay, a few talented individuals can even make quite an impressive noise with their mouths stuffed with hay. Kind of like a fog horn through a pillow. I have taken to sculking around the property on my tiptoes but I am usually picked up on their radar anyway. We've had some rains lately and the grass is growing in the other pastures, I can't wait to put them on it again. Where did I get the idea that sheep are quite little animals???

Oh, and the cheesecake sounds devine.....drool, drool..........

The only objection I have with the horns is that I would have to think up a different feeder for hay for them. With my feeders the sheep have to stick their heads through. The one ram I have that is horned can't use them. There is a place out here that is constantly asking for goat kids. The have a market every month it seems. With my sheep is seems to be seasonal, depending on holidays. I never have a big enough batch to haul them for 8 hours to New Holland. There are times like now when the pastures are all burnt up due to no rain that I'd like to sell the lambs a little earlier than planned. I can take a little less for them because they are smaller or keep them and feed them hay and sell them at heavier weights but lose money in the hay. So I'd rather just move them now.

Yes, what Bill said. I think I'd faint if they screamed.....

I also wanted to ask if they come polled.

I knew someone once who had a traditionally marked black and white smooth coat with striking blue eyes. His name was Ice. Unfortunately he died quite young from an accident if I remember correctly. Another lady I knew has a long coat with blue eyes. Also striking. Mona in Virginia

For anyone else that uses this product like me, it will be getting hard to find. I just ordered a tub and was told by the supplier that the manufacturer of Synovi G-3 has been shut down by the FDA. I don't know the reason they were shut down or even if this is correct information. Anyways, if you are getting low you might want to order before it maybe runs out. I thought I might check with my Vet and see if they know anything. Mona in Virginia

Hi Debbie, I also live in central Virginia and just a couple months ago my old Willy dog got a nasty case of flu. He got really sick and dropped alot of weight. He is vaccinated yearly when he gets his regular shots and yearly check-up. The vet said they are recommending every six months now. Willy has not left my property in a few years unless it is for a car ride so I can't figure where he got it from. Maybe a visiting stray touched noses with him through the fence? My young bitch did not contract it from him. I kept them seperated when I found out he was sick but was afraid she would get it too as they run together all the time. Luckily her shot was only about 3 mos. old and I guess still was protective. Mona.

Where I got the rams from they fed balage. They bought it and said the sheep really liked it but you had to be careful with spoilage. Once the bale was opened they had to eat it in so many days if I remember correctly? Does it need to be stored in a building or.....? By the time we get a tractor this stuff will probably have died of with the hot weather but it would be good to know for next year. Thanks.

I wish I could get someone in to do balage or something with it. It looks lush but it can't be as nutrious as it would be if it was less mature. No one wants to come out just to do a few acres. We are looking right now for a tractor but there are a lot to choose from. Then we'll need a mower attachment and just maybe a rake and round baler in time. $$$

Could your ewe have nasal bots?