[Fleecewife]

Osgoodby Jezebel, our wonderful ancient matriarch, finally went to sleep (literally, I'm not being twee) on Christmas day and didn't waken again.
She was the oldest registered Hebridean and was pivotal to the genetics in our flock.  An amazing old lady who will not be forgotten.

[Marches Farmer]

That's what you call a long and productive life.  We were given a couple of old Welsh ewes the farmer across the valley retired but couldn't bear to cull.  They lived on with us for many more years and we reckon the oldest was about 16 - I still find myself looking out for toothsome bits and bobs in the hedgerow for them.

[Big Light]

Sorry to hear that FW!

 if Jezebel is Osgoodby 37 then i think we have quite a few decendents in our flock from various lines - Interesting to see how far her 6 visible registered offspring have spread her genes. Hopefully her longevity will be passed on

Our oldest is currently an 06 tup he has very few teeth but keeps himself going he has 85 registered offspring with 4 different flock prefix's and is pretty much retired having more than given his genetic potential to the national flock, although we use him in the shearling tup flock to be the top dog and keep the others in order to prevent them damaging each other, we will keep him as long as he still manages to keep himself fit and healthy

[shotblastuk]

So, out of interest how many sheep years to human years?

[roddycm]

What a great age! When did she last lamb!

Sorry for your loss, sounds like she went off very peacefully 

[devonlady]

I'm sorry for your loss, Fleecewife. The dear of her must have had a lovely life. XX

[SallyintNorth]

Oh, bless her.   

And so lovely that she was able to die peacefully at home, with no illness.   

[Fleecewife]

Big Light - she was Osgoodby ewe HSS number : 1173/96.  She acquired her name of Jezebel before she came to us for being a tart    As well as being long lived, I can't remember her ever having sore feet, and she kept all her teeth til she was 15 when she lost one over the winter.  She was always a superb mother, even helping other ewe's lambs when they got lost, leading them back through to their mums.  We bought her as a 4 crop ewe - she first lambed at 12 months.

Sally - yes she stayed surprisingly fit just about to the end.  She lost a bit of condition last winter but didn't put it back on over the summer in spite of stuffing herself with good grass.  She could still shove any other ewe away from the trough though til the day she died. She was a very special sheep and had a really good life. 

She had twins every year except one, and last lambed at 15, with two beautiful strong ewe lambs.  We only stopped lambing her at that point because stuff was going on here which meant we bred only a handful of ewes for the next 2 years, then we decided that 18 was really time to retire. She objected strongly to not breeding and did her best to get in with the lads.

We still have the first ewe lamb she gave us, Gladstone Brigitte who I think is 15.  We bred her this past year but will rest her now.
Jezebel was also dam to Gladstone Laughing Boy, who recently died at 10 - fair going for a tup I think.

So that's the eulogy 


 <<<So, out of interest how many sheep years to human years?>>>
I don't know shot blast - does anyone else?  Sheep don't have a menopause though, so go on breeding to the end.  Only whales and humans have a menopause 

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Sheep years to human.... .cant imagine anyone has been interested enough to find out but they are sexually reproductive from 6 months which is comparable with cats.

The calculation for cat years compared to human is greater at the start of a cats life and then slows down. So the first two years of a cats life are about the same as the first 25 years of a human. after that each additional year is approximately equal to four human years. This isnt precise or a direct comparison as many animals remain reproductive for far longer than people and many live far longer in relative terms. Cats frequently suffer degenerative conditions from around 16 years and 20 is considered to be a good age so I guess the cat age calculator is a good rough guide.
I think that makes your ewe 97 Fleecewife would that sound about right do you think....?

[nutterly_uts]

<<<So, out of interest how many sheep years to human years?>>>
I don't know shot blast - does anyone else?  Sheep don't have a menopause though, so go on breeding to the end.  Only whales and humans have a menopause 

I think Orangutans do too? Sure that Jersey Zoo proved it with Gina

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Found this.....




https://www.easycalculation.com/other/fun/Sheep-years-to-Human-years.html

[Fleecewife]

<<<So, out of interest how many sheep years to human years?>>>
I don't know shot blast - does anyone else?  Sheep don't have a menopause though, so go on breeding to the end.  Only whales and humans have a menopause 

I think Orangutans do too? Sure that Jersey Zoo proved it with Gina

I think you're right.  Isn't it to do with looking after your daughters' offspring once you're past your very best for breeding?  Human's, orang utans and whales are all very long lived, but so are elephants - do they have a menopause or go on breeding to the end?  Thank goodness we don't 

Great calculation Buffy and you're right on the nose.  97 is about how old she seemed - mind still willing but the body getting a bit fed up.

[nutterly_uts]

I think you're right.  Isn't it to do with looking after your daughters' offspring once you're past your very best for breeding?  Human's, orang utans and whales are all very long lived, but so are elephants - do they have a menopause or go on breeding to the end?  Thank goodness we don't 

Think I might have to google a bit as now I am wondering about the reproductive life of Elephants

[Brucklay]

That's sad news FW but what a ewe - certainly not possible to forget such a cracker 

[ladyK]

What a great old age! RIP Jezebel.
Sorry for your loss FW - it must be comforting to know that she went so peacefully.