Meet the New Mister

We'd like to introduce the 'New Mister' in the flock - Frey (Anglo-Saxon God of Fertility).  He is a Teeswater - Finn cross.  We are so excited about those beautiful, curly Teeswater locks, but kind of hoping the Finn prolificacy doesn't come through too strongly :)

Lambs in the Field

It was a busy weekend full of fence building, jug mucking, pasture walking and a whole lot of watching spring unfold before our very eyes.  We built a new paddock and moved the first four lambs and their mamas in, along with Liam.  He is kind of overwhelmed by the small, noisy creatures, but has been very patient. 

Only one new lamb so far today.  Little Miss 1307 was born about 4 a.m. out of Maibh and Aragorn and weighed 13 lbs 8 ozs.  She is a beauty.

To say the least, there is a whole lot of excitement going on!

Aragorn's Companions

And finally, today brings us back to the barnyard and to Aragorn, our four-year-old Border Leicester ram.  He has great bloodlines and throws a wonderful lamb with a long top and beautiful wool.  Almost 75% of his offspring were twins last spring.

Four breeding groups this fall... excitement is in the air... and only about 147 days to go before the first lamb hits the ground this spring.   

Aragorn's companions:

604    Sweet Pea   Lincoln-Coopworth-Wensleydale

612    Princess   Border Leicester-Coopworth-Wensleydale

616    Rosey   Border Leicester-Coopworth-Wensleydale

716    Harmonia   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Wensleydale

720    Cassidy   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Cotswald-Wensleydale

801    Patience   Border Leicester-Coopworth-Wensleydale

817    Dierdre   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Blue-faced Leicester-Wensleydale

906    Lucy   Romney-Coopworth-Wensleydale

914    Bertha   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Cotswald-Wensleydale

919    Serenity   Border Leicester

1002  Maibh   Border Leicester-Coopworth-Wensleydale

1134  Branna   Coopworth-Blue-faced Leicester-Border Leicester-Cotswald

Liam's Ladies

Today brings us to the back pasture and Liam's lovely group of ladies.  Our gentle giant wethers, Moe and Larry, are hanging out back here also.  This group of ladies was kind enough to pose for individual shots.

613  Hebe   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Wensleydale

922  Funella   Coopworth-Border Leicester-Blue-faced Leicester

722  Jill   Romney-Coopworth-Wensleydale

711  Daisy   Lincoln-Coopworth-Wensleydale

1108  Kiera   Border Leicester-Coopworth-Wensleydale

Introducing Strider

We are very pleased to introduce you to Strider, the ram lamb formerly known as Mister 1225.  He is out of Serenity and Aragorn; a pure Border Leicester.  He has been wormed only once, at weaning, and has an exceptional health record.  He is a twin, and both he and his sister have an excellent growth rate. We have him in with four ewes, and we may sell him next summer as a proven ram. 

The lovely ladies in Strider's group are

41    Hera    Coopworth-Border Leicester

821  Siar     Border Leicester-Cotswald-Coopworth-Wensleydale

910  Julie    Coopworth-Border Leicester-Blue-faced Leicester

930  Havva  Coopworth-Border Leicester-Blue-faced Leicester-Wensleydale

In a Cloud

The fog that began Saturday evening, was still clinging to the ground all day yesterday.  It was very surreal, kind of (what we imagine it would be) like walking around inside a cloud.  Although it wasn't raining, you could not help but be drenched from the fine mist that constantly surrounded you.  In spite of chill in the air, it was really quite beautiful.

Weather Update:
Rain began during the night, and we now have been issued a blizzard warning from 6 p.m. tonight through 6 p.m. Tuesday, with the worst of it coming around midnight. Most of the leaves are now off the trees, so we're just hoping the lights stay on. Stay safe everyone!

Pasture Buddies

Although it seems to be hard to capture these moments of camaraderie... they are both so spoiled if they see you near the fence they come running... Liam and Samson have developed a mututal respect.   It is neat to watch them in the field, spending time in the same area, respecting each other's boundaries but obviously enjoying each other's company. 

Friday's Fences

Forgive us for continuing to share the same fence-line, but this view never gets old... it is forever-changing... with the farm schedule... with the seasons
Joining Life According to Jan and Jer for Friday's Fences

{this moment}

A Friday ritual.
A single photo - no words - capturing a single moment from the week.
A simple, special extraordinary moment.
A moment to pause, savor and remember.
Participating with the SouleMama blog.

Aragorn's Companions

Aragron is our three-year-old registered Border Leicester ram.  He has great bloodlines and throws a wonderful lamb with a long top and beautiful wool.  He is still kind of the wild, young thing but has settled down a lot this past year.  Three breeding groups this fall... we are so excited... only about 147 days to go before the first lamb hits the ground this spring.

604 -  Sweet Pea   Lincoln - Coopworth - Wensleydale

612 -  Princess   Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale

616 -  Rosey   Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale

720 -  Cassidy   Cotswald - Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale

721 -  Hannah   Border Leicester

722 -  Jill   Romney - Coopworth - Wensleydale

811 -  Petunia   Lincoln - Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale

815 -  Aibreann   Border Leicester

906 -  Lucy   Romney - Coopworth - Wensleydale

914 -  Bertha   Cotswald - Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale

919 -  Serenity   Border Leicester

922 -  Funella   Coopworth - Blue-faced Leicester - Cotswald - Wensleydale

929 -  Juliet   Border Leicester

1002 - Maibh   Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale

1056 - Hermione   Coopworth - Border Leicester - Cotswald - Wensleydale

Poseidon's Girls

Our five-year-old colored ram, Poseidon, is a Cotswald - Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale cross.  He is the most agressive of the rams, and you learn very quickly not to turn your back on him.  He is very large and can deliver a real wallop if you are not paying attention.  Let's just say he definitely commands respect.  He also produces an amazing fleece, and vigorous lambs with beautiful, long curly locks.

4014   Fiona   Coopworth - Blue-faced Leicester cross

40      Athena   Coopworth - Border Leicester cross

41      Hera   Coopworth - Border Leicester cross
620    Daireann   Coopworth - Blue-faced Leicester cross
817    Dierdre   Coopworth - Blue-faced Leicester - Wensleydale cross
910    Julie   Coopworth - Border Leicester cross
930    Havva   Coopworth - Blue-faced Leicester - Border Leicester - Wensleydale cross
1008  Poppy   Lincoln - Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale cross
1025  Nettie   Border Leicester

Ready... Set... Go

We were so excited Saturday to get the last of our 32 breeding ewes all set for breeding; all the hooves were trimmed and crutching finished.  We put up (and later took down) 820 feet of temporary fencing for moving lanes; moved dogs, dog houses and watering troughs.  We were excited that we got the ram's bellies trimmed and marking harnesses on before dark, and were not working by truck light. We were even more thrilled that it was a beautiful day and not 20 degrees, not raining or snowing, as in previous years.

Today, we are proud to present the first of the 2011 breeding groups - Liam's Ladies.  Liam is our six year old registered Border Leicester, purchased from Kelly at Spring Breeze Farm as a yearling.  He has great lineage and a super disposition.  He throws a beautiful lamb with a long top and lovely wool.

613 -   Hebe  Coopworth - Border Leicester - Wensleydale cross

711 -   Daisy   Lincoln - Coopworth - Wensleydale cross

716 -   Harmonia   Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale cross

801 -   Patience   Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale cross

809 -   Hestia   Coopworth - Border Leicester - Cotswald cross

821 -   Siar   Cotswald - Border Leicester - Coopworth - Wensleydale cross

924 -   Meara   Coopworth - Blue-faced Leicester - Wensleydale cross

1004 - Aurora - Registered Border Leicester  





Some R and R

This handsome line-up of rams is enjoying a well-deserved period of rest and relaxation. Despite the severe winter, the rams did a fabulous job during breeding season. There are just a couple of stragglers left and lambing season will be over. These guys will be spending the summer getting 'fat and sassy'. What a life!