JohnGalway
Member
- Location
- Connemara, Ireland
10th May still seems sensible enough, We aimed for 1st May but put the tups out a couple days early as ewes were gathered in, and knowing in-bye grass was finite decided to just get on with it. we'll have plenty ewes lambing after 10th May ourselves, probably including one ewe who travelled a couple of miles to find a neighbours tup yesterday. The only real downside to later lambing we had were younger and thriving sheep doing a little too well on the May flush and later lambs being bigger than we'd like, this year we plan to condition score and run leader-follower groups whilst in for lambing.
True I haven't been posting much, we've just been busy, a new baby in November and workload have kept me on the go. also if I'm really honest I'm still just getting over a ridiculous conflict that some local dog walkers started with us over Christmas. it's just left me a bit tired and deflated, I've been following the thread but unfortunately I haven't had many positive or constructive things to say.
Everything's just ticking along here, Grass growth has been quite good up till now, The ewes are in reasonable but not fantastic condition, they should do fine out on the heather though. The hoggs are working their way through the last of the in-bye grass left after tupping. they're a bit on the small side but fit and healthy. We're just waiting for spring really. At this time of year for us it's just chores, there's not that much managing to do.
Having unborn lambs with developing horns is a worry I do have, I guess much depends on the type of year it turns out to be. If we get a good Spring I may have regrets by the end of June! Recent history suggests to me that's less likely to occur. Moving ewes and young lambs in a paddock system is still a ball ache I have to find a solution to.
Congrats on the new human! They're fantastic, even when ya wanna murder them - secretly I admire the gumption to get that far under my skin. I'm having people issues as well. I've got a multi year solution that involves "f**k off" fences. In day to day operation I've decided not to engage, calls and texts go unanswered. If a message of importance is left I act, but I never respond.