[pgkevet]

My two permenant strays that wandered along this time last year (as large lambs a few months apart) and couldn't be traced were looking pretty shaggy.
They're a feisty pair to catch only when I can tempt them into a smaller less steep field.

All this talk of maggots was winding me up. I hate flyblown animal problems..cleaned enough flyblown pets in my time.

Anyway I took my daughter to the pub last night and a real sheep farmer I know was there with a bunch of young farmers. Here we're talking folk with hundred to thousands of sheep so when i bought Wynn a beer and asked him what I should be doing with my flock of 2 - well i didn't mind the ribbing that went on - they were merry enough without the falling over laughing.

I pointed out they were getting pretty shaggy and was offered the loan of shears. I have my own pair but apart from dagging which took me ages I haven't tried a whole feisty sheep.

I put my helpless face on and they offered to come round ..and have just been mob-handed to help catch them and sheared the pair in short order, attended to feet and I gave them a quick health check.

It'll be a round in the pub on me next time.

I was cheeky enough to mention that with the 4 cade lambs I've got it'd be 6 next year and wynn said 'oh, I don't mind'

[Bionic]

Thats nice to hear about them being so helpful.   
I've heard that 'real' farmers don't think much of smallholders but I have always found my local farmers only too keen to give their knowledge and listen to my problems.

[kelly58]

Good news all sorted  I am also fortunate to have really helpful farmers as neighbours, they laugh their heads off at me how daft I am with the animals, but always on the end of the phone  if needed

[pgkevet]

They're a friendly bunch here too. I try to pop down to the pub about once a week just for a quick beer and piddle-taking session. They laugh at me for all sorts of daft things like buying a quad bike so my dalmation can chase me round on it. And I tell them how lucky they are that my 40 years of engish taxes has paid all their subsidies....

[Hellybee]

Hehe, we find everyone really nice round here too, very helpful and mines of information, I can just imagine the scene at the pub, very funny.