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Barnyard Buddies:  All Things Sheep and Goats  |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 06 2009 : 12:05:00 PM
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Kris, just my opinion...a sheep is one sheep...a flock is a bunch of sheep... sounds like this couple just has one sheep to me.
Sarita
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
A Good Friend Is Like A Good Bra. Hard to Find, Supportive, Comfortable, and always Close To Your Heart! |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2009 : 2:04:35 PM
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Well, Kris, you could say it like the Basque herders say it..."ship"...then plural could be sheep. LOL. Just kidding, but think a sheep is a sheep is a sheep, one or many. I would refer to them as ewes or rams as well or ewe or ram or wether, but someone with one sheep just doesn't know any better....in more ways than one...but tongue in cheek there too.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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damselfly
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Angela
A quiet mountain meadow
Missouri
10 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2009 : 7:50:28 PM
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I am looking for someone who raises alpine goats in the state of Missouri. If anyone knows someone who does, please drop me a line.
Thanks.
Every day you have less reason not to give yourself away. -Wendell Berry |
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LunaTheFarmLady
True Blue Farmgirl
448 Posts
Luna
Rineyville
KY
USA
448 Posts |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
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LunaTheFarmLady
True Blue Farmgirl
448 Posts
Luna
Rineyville
KY
USA
448 Posts |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 9:07:04 PM
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I agree with that one. I think having only one sheep would be sad for the sheep. I try really hard to never have just one of anything - with the exception of my dog. One house dog is plenty. After all, there is only so much room on the bed....
Sheri |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2009 : 10:33:51 AM
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My husband thinks if you can see a bare spot in the barnlot...I will be bringing more sheep to fill that area! The only time I use the "a sheep" is if one is not where he or she should be.
This morning the ewes were butting heads, running and jumping...you know that jump and twist while in air thing that they do. I laughed so hard drinking my coffee and watching them from the patio doors this morning before work.
Jami, how long until we lamb? I am ready whenever they are.
The wool is looking good this year. The old correidale ewes look like bears.
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
A Good Friend Is Like A Good Bra. Hard to Find, Supportive, Comfortable, and always Close To Your Heart! |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2009 : 07:38:12 AM
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Angelia, I live in Missouri and I can't help you. I will ask some friends and see if they can get you some info. What part of Missouri are you?
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
A Good Friend Is Like A Good Bra. Hard to Find, Supportive, Comfortable, and always Close To Your Heart! |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 08:17:31 AM
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Oh Sarita, I hear ya girl...March 15th we start here. My girls are doing the same, acting silly and now that our snow is completely gone (here in the valley) they are out grazing again and getting some exercise. I just bought a new protein tub for them with molasses base and they all have dirty faces from gathering round the "watering hole" like a bunch of sheep and overindulging. LOL. They are getting mighty wooly ltoo...we'll shear next month.
Off to work now...your mornings sound like mine. Coffee and sheep. Could life get any better?
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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LunaTheFarmLady
True Blue Farmgirl
448 Posts
Luna
Rineyville
KY
USA
448 Posts |
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2009 : 11:49:21 AM
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Hey Jami, remember I had a few ewes break out to see the rams the same day you turned your rams in with the ewes..I was planning on new babies in April and May....but things happen. So we could start lambing at the same time. I hope I have a gap but it will be my luck to have a bunch in the cold of March.
Jami, life is great...love my sheep and their wool. We felted yesterday and Ang made the cutes tea cosy and needle felted a sheep and flowers on it....it is so cute.
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
A Good Friend Is Like A Good Bra. Hard to Find, Supportive, Comfortable, and always Close To Your Heart! |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2009 : 6:39:41 PM
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I'm back - did you miss me???
I tell you I would not know what to do with myself if I ever got all caught up. I have read the last posts - Sheepies is the correct plural - at least in my world. I have no idea what the rest of the world does.....
I am still waiting on three goat girls but the nine who are playing in the barn are a hoot.. Yes, I got my camera working and boy do I have pictures. I will load them on the blog Saturday so get ready for an overload of cuties Monk - the first born and head mommy's boy has his buds and is showing all the little one's who is boss. Today he even stomped his feet at me, then he ran over for a hug and a kiss - what a big boy...
Here is a new question for everyone - where do you find hay in the middle of winter? I do not know about the rest of the country but Colorado has been having issues with not only supply, quality but also prices being out of this world. I could not believe I spent almost a month and a half looking for reasonable hay. We have also experienced many large hay farms going out of business and was wondering what the rest of the country is feeling???
Great to be back and would love to hear from you all
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2009 : 10:05:54 AM
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Hi Grace,
Glad you are back. We were blessed with lots of hay the last couple of years but the price for hay went out of sight because people would buy here and then transport to areas like yours that needed hay and they are making good money and our surplus is gone. I'm glad that we were blessed and could help others but many cattle farmers as well as sheep farmers sold off their herds because of the hay and corn prices. My feed bill has almost tripled per sheep in the last 2 years. We saw some lower prices in corn and hay this fall. Did many farmers sell their herds and flocks in your area?
Sounds like your little ones are doing well. They are so cute!
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
A Good Friend Is Like A Good Bra. Hard to Find, Supportive, Comfortable, and always Close To Your Heart! |
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farmmom22
True Blue Farmgirl
616 Posts
Tammy
Scottsville
KY
USA
616 Posts |
Posted - Jan 16 2009 : 11:34:20 AM
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Hey Grace, I feel your pain on the hay issue! We didn't have a problem this year, but last year was the pits. Ky had a late freeze and then a dry summer so if you could actually find hay it was way to expensive. Sadly my goats had to make do with what I had to give them. But this year was better thank goodness! The Jan/Feb issue of Hobby Farms mag has a good article on hay alternatives. If you can't find the issue look on their website www.hobbyfarms.com. If you can't find it at all let me know and I will make a copy of the article and mail it to you. Tammy
Best farm wishes |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 17 2009 : 8:27:30 PM
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Thanks Tammy
I tried using the listing you gave but it is saying that this site is not found. Is it 2009 issue?? If so I will keep an eye out for it when I go into town. With six, now seven years of draught, the economy and greed the animals are the one's who are having to do without. I am willing to pay the high prices because I want my animals to eat well but I could feed them what I eat and it would be less expensive. Still I should not complain when I think of farmers around the world who animals die of starvation.
I also wanted everyone to know I finally finished the pictures and stories of the goat kids on my blog - sorry for all the delay - hope they are worthy.
 I also forgot to say we are having a NAMING CONTEST
go to the blog and read all about it!! I am gathering my thoughts on prizes - we have two sets of twins to name - plenty for all to win something great.....
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2009 : 07:45:11 AM
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Grace, I hope you did not take what I said earlier wrong. You know how it is when you are writing something and go back and read it. What I meant to say was that, I hope you can get the hay you need without being held up. I know one year our neighbors in Oklahoma did not have hay and were selling off their livestock and local farmers from Missouri gave their surplus to be shipped there to help out.
People now are making lots of money doing this. They buy all the surplus at very good prices and they are also renting all the hay ground that is available. This drives up the price of hay here and also the rent on land to the point that we could never show a profit. My point is: Help thy neighbor, don't kick them harder when they are down.
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
A Good Friend Is Like A Good Bra. Hard to Find, Supportive, Comfortable, and always Close To Your Heart! |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2009 : 09:18:00 AM
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 Hi Sarita
I guess I am really slow because I took what you wrote the way you meant it - besides I have a very thick, wrinkled skin
Our problem is first the draughts and huge fires we have had over the past six years. Then folks got greedy and sold land to delevopers which now are bankrupt so the ground is sitting without being planted, used or even considered how it is effecting those of us with other businesses. Then we have land owners who leased it out and the land was overgrazed to where now it will take alot of work to get it back. Since I purchase organic raised, none pesticide, herbiside and such which is now getting to almost impossible. I have to remind myself each day how blessed I am but I do admit sometimes I get down when it seems like we are climbing a mountian while the rocks are being pulled out from under our feet.
Sorry for being the downer
I going out to hug my goat babies - that always cheers me up and makes it worth all the work
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Keeper of the Past
True Blue Farmgirl
925 Posts
Sarita
Battle Creek
Michigan
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - Jan 19 2009 : 11:35:20 AM
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Grace, you and I are alots alike. I think sometimes that our animals come before the humans.
I guess I just keep watching what is going on and wonder how we have got to this point. If I had a surplus of hay, I would be bringing your babies a load...
I saw your babies on your blog and they are all adorable. If I was there, I would have to get out in the middle of them and turn my bucket upside down to sit and visit with them awhile!
As I read your blog, I am so happy that I did not have babies being born last week when it was 22 below here.
www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com
A Good Friend Is Like A Good Bra. Hard to Find, Supportive, Comfortable, and always Close To Your Heart! |
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LunaTheFarmLady
True Blue Farmgirl
448 Posts
Luna
Rineyville
KY
USA
448 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 07:43:44 AM
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Hi Grace and all, hope everyone is managing to stay warm and keep their animals as best as possible. Reading your stories makes me grateful for the luck of the innocent. Our first winter here (2007) we overbought a good quality local hey which I stumbled upon by accident. The price i thought was exorbitant at that time. Now it would be a bargain. So we had enough for that winter and still had more than half in storage. This past spring we were able to get an early mowing on our surplus acerage and have that in storage as well. So we are blessed to have enough hay. We mix the two as I worry about the nutritional value diminishing over time on the older hay. It is still slightly fragrant so I'm hoping that that is an indicator that it is still good. Since we have twice as many animals this year, we are of course going through it twice as fast and they seem to be eating more due to the cold. I think we will be ok this winter but am thinking ahead and deciding what to do for next winter. The drought hit us later last year but of course there is no telling about this spring and summer. I did see the article on Hay alternatives. I have it here somewhere and will give it another going over.
Tammy, I somehow missed your intro and bio so let me say welcome now and glad to see another ky sheep and goat lover here.
Grace, I'm gonna check out your blog now to ogle those babies....no babies for me this year, boo hoo...
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 12:08:51 PM
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I can not believe our weather - for the past three days we have had temps in the 70's can you believe it - in January......
I worry about what this will do for the water issues around here but as Scarlett say "Oh Fiddle De De - I will worry about that tomorrow" besides the universe is not listening to what I want.
So with this great weather I sat in the field and played all afternoon with the babies. We ran around jumping, skipping, and butting heads... I must admit what a fantastic day!!!! No matter what goes wrong I had that perfect day
Life is sweet and snow by the end of the week - great to be a Funny Farm gal
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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LunaTheFarmLady
True Blue Farmgirl
448 Posts
Luna
Rineyville
KY
USA
448 Posts |
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LunaTheFarmLady
True Blue Farmgirl
448 Posts
Luna
Rineyville
KY
USA
448 Posts |
Posted - Jan 22 2009 : 1:18:14 PM
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Monica
I got your cotton and it is just scrumptious!! I've never spun cotton before but am now diein gto try this. Have you spun it on your wheel? Do you have to do anything differently? Also I just found your blog through Grace and just love your yarn! Love the colors you got from Grace too. Can't wait to see what it looks like spun up. I NEED some of this too! Again, have never spun silk so am a little intimidated by it. Any tips to share?
Luna
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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farmmom22
True Blue Farmgirl
616 Posts
Tammy
Scottsville
KY
USA
616 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2009 : 2:07:58 PM
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Hey Luna, I'm not for sure but were you at Miss Wilma's Christmas gathering? If so then I think I remember you. I checked your blog out the other day and let me say, your stuff is beautiful! What kind of sheep do you have? We have Boer and Nubian cross goats and I love them to pieces!
Grace e-mail me your addy and I will send you a copy of the article. Farmgirls have to stick together! Tammy
Best farm wishes |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2009 : 7:50:35 PM
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Hey Grace, I finally got to see the pictures of all the kids. They are so cute. And my goodness, you have had a rough time. All beat up and hurt, from your own goat. Ouch! I've been there, too. They just don't get it, do they? I sure hope your all better now.
Are you still having the naming contest? I tried to leave a message, but the passward thing again. It just doesn't work for me. Sorry. So how bout for Esmeralda's kids, Samantha and Darren. And for Rebecca's, Priscilla and Asa. I just thought those were cute names.
Have a great weekend! Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
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Barnyard Buddies: All Things Sheep and Goats |
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All Things Sheep and Goats
