RAMSAY FARMS: BFL bummer

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

BFL bummer

Well today I gathered up all the sheep, checked eyelids for color (all were a gorgeous dark red!) and we trimmed hooves on the BFLs and checked udders and vulvas for swelling.

I'm sad to say that it looks like NONE of my now yearlings are bred. I have only one two year old and she is definitely bred, with what looks like twins (or a small house). My poor ram Burma! In with all those girls and only able to have one night out on the town! Burma is natural colored and Kershope carries natural color, so I have big hopes for a colored baby, but would be really happy with just healthy babies!

I also caught the yearling Shetlands up and checked udders. It appears that Sedalia (Jazz x Sterling) and Westminster (Jazz x Wren) are not bred. Rush (Aman x Rachildas) and Galina (Forrest x Holy Grail) do not look bred either. they could be later but did not appear to be bred. I've been proven wrong and I hope I am as both Rush and Galina were exposed to Jazz! I did not breed my bottle lamb Columbine so that would be 5 out of 22 that are NOT bred. So I have 17 left to lamb plus the 1 BFL. That's enough!

I was also worried about FirthofFifth Taika. She was exposed at Cynthia's house last year as a lamb but did not lamb as a yearling. She was one of my bigger yearlings and was surprised when we sheared last year that she was not bred. I was nervous to check her today but she does NOT appear to have any kind of udder, although her vulva is swollen slightly. I will keep an eye on her.

So at least 16 are for sure bred, have huge swollen vulvas and their udders are getting quite large. Even on some of the now yearlings.

Day 147 would make the girls due on 4/20/2009, which is two weeks ago yesterday. The latest they could be due would be June 1st. Don't ask me what I was thinking keeping them in with the ram so long. It always seems good at the time, but not now....Sheesh!

I did see River Oaks Eliza 'flirting' with Barish on Thanksgiving last fall so that would put her due date 4/23/2009 and I believe she will be one of the first to go, but again. I've been proven wrong many times!

3 comments:

Laura said...: I have four yearlings and a 2 yr. old Angora who are either open or will lamb REALLY late. I had a ewe last year who I was sure was open and she lambed in mid. June and had twins.; April 7, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Becky Utecht said...: That's too bad about the yearling BFLs being open, but if you left the ram in with them a long time, maybe they just aren't showing yet. I'm glad I didn't expose my now yearling BFLs to the ram. They seem way too young to be moms. Our adult BFLs are due before April 25, but they don't look overly large to me. Maybe you'll be in for triplets from your girl if she's as big as a house. I hope Eliza gives you twins.; April 7, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Alaska Shetland Shepherd said...: Garret - don't bet on those youngsters not being bred! I can tell you, it's very common here for them to have no udders when the other girls are already starting to lamb! This winter seems like they were all late coming into estrus, and my yearlings look healthy and content and no udders. I'm betting on June or July lambs myself - so hold your breath for a while longer! :-); April 16, 2009 at 12:39 AM

Who we are

Ramsay Farms is situated in the northeastern part of Ottertail County, near Perham, Minnesota. This family farm of 320 acres has been in the Ramsay family for five generations, dating back to 1892. Today our farm prides itself on our Simmental cattle, Shetland Sheep and BlueFaced Leicester sheep. We strive to breed animals that closest match the breed standards given to them, and mindful of production, health and longevity in our animals as well.

In spring of 2016, there was a purchase of 32 acres in Green County, Wisconsin to accommodate Garrett for his work in that region. The animals have for the most part been moved to that location. Both locations will work in tandem to continue educating and promoting these animals and this way of life.

From the Shetland Sheep Society

"Shetland sheep have for generations been noted for their very soft and well crimped fleece. The wool is the finest of all native breeds and shows an amazing variety of colours and patterns. There are 11 main whole colours and 30 recognised markings.

By selecting from coloured fleeces a range of naturally coloured yarn can be produced. This eliminates the need for dyeing and therefore retains the soft feel of the natural fibre and is favoured by those who prefer a totally natural approach.

Shetland wool fibres are of a simple construction witha central cortex covered by a thin scaly cuticle, and have an average diameter of about 23 microns. However there is a range from 10-20 microns for neck and shoulder wool to 25to 35 microns for britch wool. the average staple length is 3.5 inches. The amount of crimp varies, and is most important in providing the 'bounce' required for knitwear. There is a positive correlation between fineness and crimp, with wool of the finest quality being crimped at between 8 and 12 to the inch. Wool from shetland sheep is used to produce gossamer lace, the famous 'Fair Isle' knitwear, and fine tweeds. Pure bred Shetland sheep tend to shed their fleece in sprin. The growth of new fleece can cause a rise or weak point and where this is present the fleece can sometimes be plucked or 'rooed' by hand. The timing of this can be different in each sheep, however, it is worth taking the care to get it right as rooed fleece can be amongst the softest because the fibres have no harsh cut ends as occurs with a sheared fleece.

Shetland fleece can be handspun straight from the fleece or made into rolags and then woollen spun. It can also be sorsted spun by hand, used on a peg loom or handwoven. It also felts well using either dry or wet methods. When processed commercially the wool can be made into the finest lightweight worsted cloth or heavier weight, harder wearing fabrics and tweeds."

RAMSAY FARMS

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

BFL bummer

3 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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