Title: Comment: <p>Well this weekend, we did our first session of drenching and ear taging.  I have to say it was an expereince to say the least.  By the end of it I was covered in Seaweed and Apple Cider Vinegar, and we were battered and bruised.  Although our girls are lovely and come up to us on a regular occassion, in a small confind area they are completly different.</p><p>We've decided after this expereince that we will not be getting any more larger animals (ie. cows) until we are able to do such processes like this a little more stress free, for both ourselves and the animals.   The main aim is to get better sheep yards so we can all be a little safer.  </p><p> So our priorities have changed this year.  Instead of dividing up the back paddock to accomodate a better routation, we will first look at getting some better yards, so we can manager what stock we have.  </p><p> Any suggestions on plans etc. for small farms and what others have done would be great.  There are loads of info on the internet, although its all a bit confusing...time to go vist our sheep friends I think. </p><p> I did submit our first worm count test, and we got a very low reading of 60/gram, so we are very chuffed to find out our girls and boys are all very healthy. </p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>Well its offically over, our first lambing season is over.  Our last ewe as we expected came into session a few months later then everyone else (we think she was a late baby herself) and has had twins.  We've kept them seperated for the first few weeks just until they are big enough to contend with the large lambs that can get pretty ruff in there playing.</p><p> Overall, we had 10 lambs that survived (we lost two boys that were quite big for a set of twins).  Not including the two boys, we had 3 sets of successful twins, which is not bad when your talking about 7 ewes.</p><p> We had even numbers of boys and girls with a straight 50/50 ratio, which is really great.  We've already got buyers for our girls, which will be moving on in the new year, before we have any issues with mating.  </p><p> After all the stress, waiting for weeks for the girls to give birth, I sort of am already looking forward to next year...</p><p>Hopefully, will get a few photos of the last twins, as I can't help they are always so cute the first month of there life :) </p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>Well its two months on, and I can't belive how big the lambs have grown already.   They are getting quite big, are so quick compared to there parents.  We have one late ewe that should hopefully be having her lamb(s) within the next day or so.  A little late although we think maybe she may have been late herself last year.</p><p> </p><p><img alt="Playing in there favoruite hole" src="http://community.rivercottage.net/images/phpThumb.php/q=100;325x325;/var/members/member71674/October-2009-018-resized.jpg" /> </p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: The traditional lemon butter with a little added extra. Very yummy. Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>Well for first timers, I think we've done pretty well in doubling our herd of sheep in one week.  All ewes we were expecting to drop have done so now.  We had two sets of twins, and a 50/50 mix of boys and girls.  We are expecting still one ewe to be due in about 2 months time.</p><p>  </p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>We've now had three lambs in two days :) looks like they could be coming thick and fast with another mum looking like she is going into labor now.....possibly a long night is in store.</p><p>Photos taken as soon as its light enough :) </p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>We had our first little lamb this morning.... a wonderful little thing it is :)  He/she just turned up this morning, when we noticed one of the ewes were missing....I had a feeling that something might have gone on, although I think we only missed delivery by about 12 mins.  </p><p> This photo was taken at a few hours old this morning.. </p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>Well we had purchased our first tree stock a couple of weeks ago and it was now time to plant them out.  We purchased 2 of the following:</p><p>- River Bottle Brush</p><p>- Silver Wattle</p><p>- Black Wattle</p><p> All were going to used to start our effort to rehabilitated our creek beds and specialy the toe fo the bed that seems to be eroding ever heavy rain we have.  In addition we are hoping it will extend our bird family and attrack even more bees and wildlife. </p><p>We used the pink 'Trees for Life' tree guards, which apprently improve the quality and success of the trees.  </p><p> All went well and we were very happy with how the tree guards worked, and the fact the water didn't just flow though, as it was recommened to include about a bale of hay around the tree guard to improve water retention.  </p><p> There were a few mishaps though, as it appears one tree has gone missing before we planted it, although we could find the container, and one was chopped in half...on both occassions we are blaming our border collie pup of 6 months who seems to find anything that see probably shouldn't be in to.  </p><p>We are so happy with how everything went, we will buying another 6 trees or so to plant next weekend.  </p><p>Once there are a few more planted I will upload a pic, as it does seem quit odd with pink tree guards popping up all over the place :) </p> Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: A really easy pumpkin soup I made, while I was on the quest of finding yummy pumpkin recipes for my other half that doesn't like it much. There was not to much effort other then the whole cutting the pumpkin up. This also has a bit of a kick about 30 seconds after taking the first sip and lingers for sometime after wards so great for a winter lunch time meal. Submit > < Back

Title: Comment: <p>Finally I've made it being able to log in for the first time on the new community boards.  Its been ages since I first got the newsletter saying this was avaliable, but the internet down in OZ sucks and its only now that I've finally been able to log in.</p><p> As part of my first blog post, I just wanted to say a big thank you to Hugh, we started watching your programs on our pay tv provider about 18 months ago.  We had always wanted to move onto our own farm...I have horses, but Hugh you changed the way we thought about the whole conspect, the fact that we could live closer to nature and been in turn with our surronding really applied to us both.   So July last year we made the move and bought our own farm almost 50 acres (16 hectures).  Its fantastic and I couldn't imagne a better life other then maybe living on the farm full time ....</p><p> I think my ultimate dream would be to become certified organic and build our sheep flock up and on sell as good quality organic produce.  We purchased our first Wiltshire Horn sheet late last year, and fingers crossed they are all pregent and we have some new addition to the family in August this year ;) they are very fat so I'm hoping we've not just over feed them :)</p><p> Anyways,  thats a bit of background on me.  I will post a few updates and upload a few of the receips I've come across with our first session of vegies.  </p><p>Cheers</p><p> Carrie </p> Submit > < Back