Although all has been quiet on the blog it as not been quiet with the sheep. We now have 24 lambs who are all growing fast. It's amazing how their fleeces change colour and they begin to look more "sheep like" or grown up.
Two weeks ago we had to round them up in order to vaccinate and dose them. This was the first time we had tried to pen the whole flock up - not an easy task. Who said sheep were stupid?
The only ewe not to lamb this year became the ringleader of "the breakaways" As soon as we got anywhere near the pen she would calculate the best route of escape and in a flash make a run for it followed by her pals and their lambs. After 4 attempts to outwit her and threats of mutton stew and lamb chops, my dear husband not known for his great patience, drove off to find a man and a dog.
Ten minutes later the sheep were all in the pen with the help of the shepherd from the neighbouring farm on his ATV and accompanied by his sheepdog. That's how a real shepherd does it !
The heavens opened as we set to getting on with the task. Can you believe it took 4 HOURS to round up  dose and vaccinate 40 sheep. As we wandered home soaked and weary with aching backs I take my hat off to the real shepherds with flocks of 1000+.