COUNTRY LIVING IS THE BEST.......

As colder weather approaches, we assemble the added equipment to make our outdoor animals lives as pleasant as possible....heated water buckets, big fluffy hay as bedding to sleep in and eat, extra food for warmth and extending our daily visits to let them know that we are still around (not just snuggled up in the house).  Even though we know that they are naturally equipped to withstand cold, actually better than warm or hot weather, the mama in me still wants to go out and cover them each night and make sure that all is well with my barn animals.  We have heat lights and smaller pens available for the possibility of some cold weather lambs being born for mama and baby(s) to begin their new lives undisturbed by other curious sheep.  Also, lamb replacer, bottles and an indoor room for the possible lamb that needs a human mom for awhile.  (it's my bathroom, an improvised pop bottle and two indoor dogs that have put up with these babies before).  The bottle-fed lambs always hold a special place in my heart.  That's how we started raising sheep.  Our first lamb came to us...we named her BaaBaa...when a neighbor did not have the desire or time to raise a lamb that was rejected by it's mom (some are not good moms, some are just too young...really need to develop a good breeding program for the health and well being of your herd...we are learning everyday).  And then there was a 2nd one, a third....6 all together...so, we became sheep herders...with a bunch of sheep that began their lives in a house, sleeping in dog beds and being snuggled constantly...they have also been to nursing homes (mom is in that field) to receive additional love from residents.  Now, we are up to approx. 30- sheep and we love each and everyone.  We have learned a lot about sheep and know that as cute as lambs are, we don't want to just keeping adding babies to the herd every year.  We had our vet come for the afternoon to castrate...I couldn't watch....all of our males in hopes that we would not just keep adding to the sheep world.  One strong, young male got through the barrier....and our vet said, "Well, there's your breeder".....and so....we are adding to the sheep world...in a controlled, healthy program.  We did, after a few more lambs, catch the runner and castrate him.  We do shear our sheep as they have beautiful fiber....and I am saving the fiber to wash and felt.  Getting closer to that project everyday....mostly mentally so far...saving ideas off of Pinterest for creating with felt and actually set up a washing area for the fiber......so, it might just happen. 

My husband and I definitely found our true calling in the country.  We love everything about it.

Just a few of our wonderful sheep.....