Transitions

Transitions are a part of life, and this includes farm life. In this video we take you along as we move the new lambs and their mothers from the lambing barn to the run-in shed with access to pasture. The puppies are growing, and they are transitioning to going out to pasture with the flock. We have transitioned to having one less guardian dog (hopefully for a short time) as Lillie, our female, escaped when we took her to be spayed. She has remained in the area but is not social to people so it will be challenging to get her back. We sent 2 ewes and one doe to market this week as they were not productive and our numbers are such that we need pasture for production. Thanks for joining us this week at Norwal Farm.
Michael Walsh and Roger Norgel
#goatfarming #livestockguardiandog #newfarm #dorper #iledefrancesheep #farmtotable #jacobsheep #llamas #pastureraised #sheep #sheepfarming #whitedorper #kiko #babygoats #suffolk

[@user-rw7cl7ov8d]

Lots happening at Norwal. Happy to see the lambing season is done and you can move forward with the new group. Hope plans for Lily will work and your able to capture her and bring her home. We will have her in our thoughts. I know how worried you both are.

[@norwalfarm]

Thanks Louise. We are hopeful. We'll keep everyone updated.

[@craigpacker7171]

That is so sad about Lily. I hope she finds her way home or someone finds you and lets you know where she is. Hoping for the best. (I wrote this before I saw the end of the video.)
I'm not a fan of ewes with four quarters. The argument I was always taught is that milking four quarters significantly increases the risk of mastitis. I have no idea if that's true or not. It's just what I was told as a kid.
I know that seems like a really low lambing percentage, but it's perfectly acceptable when they are entirely first-time lambers. It will go up next year--hopefully around 150% or better.

[@norwalfarm]

Thanks Craig. We are checking the feeder daily to monitor if there is activity. The feeder is at the gentleman's property where he has seen her. Once she routinely is feeding, then we will set a live trap and hopefully catch her.

[@KS-ip5xn]

It must be rare to have a sheep with 4 nipples.

[@norwalfarm]

I've seen it before but not one with 4 quarters (functioning glands) to the udder. Usually there are 2 halves to the gland and the nipples are extra, not functional.

[@Lockboyz910]

How hard is it to quit feeding bottles…They know how to eat creep an hay but still get a bottle that’s really pathetic looking 👀

[@norwalfarm]

I don't understand your comment. Stopping bottles is similar to removing the lamb from the mother. As long as they are eating solid food well and have other lambs for company it works well. We supplement them with a bottle until we think they are able to get proper nutrition through solid food alone. Thanks for your comment.