Nellie
Posted: Sunday 19 September, 2010
We weaned our only ewe lamb today. Nellie is now in Sheepfold with the ponies and Dickie, our wether, who just happens to be her brother. She and Juno bawled for a couple of hours, then were fine. Juno's much more concerned about the lack of grass than losing her lamb.
I've decided to bring the lambing period forward in 2011. I've always planned for a 1st April start date, but that was because I got school holidays and was off the first two weeks in April. I'm going to bring it back to mid March, so the tup will go in mid-October rather than 5th November. That means I have to start flushing the ewes next weekend so I'll have to get prepared this week - no pressure!
I'm a bit disappointed that I haven't managed to get another two ewe lambs to run with Nellie. I'll try and buy two gimmers next year, but it will depend on prices. I had made an offer for the ewe lambs Sue Trimmings had at Carlisle yesterday but they went for £180 each - much more than I bid. The top price was £1000 for a gimmer - white, I presume - I don't think I've seen a Ryeland go for that kind of money before. Jings, you'd have her sleeping in the house to make sure she was OK if you paid that price.
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Comments
Rosemary
The world of sheep is peppered with terms - a gimmer is a female sheep in her second year. There may be some refinement on this ie she may have to be unbred, but I'm not sure. A wether or wedder is a male lamb with his bits removed.
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Dilys
Thursday 23 September, 2010 at 9:09pm
Rosemary..... what is a gimmer actually?? Is it a Scots word for a wee boy lamb without his bits??
Loved the Smokey story. What a brilliant pony.