Yesterday was sunny and nearly 50 degrees in Central Virginia- perfect weather for working sheep.
We needed to worm the non-breeders in the west pasture. That group includes last year’s lambs, all the whethers (castrated males) and Jack, our in-tact Angora goat buck. It’s a small group and we knew it wouldn’t take long, so we waited until the day had really warmed up before getting started.
Once we had all the animals in the catch pen the fun began. We always start with the goats because they are a lot more work than the sheep and there are fewer of them. Martin, a whether, went first.
First we use a weight tape to double check his weight. Wormer dosing is based on weight.
Fun fact: Most wormer is labeled for sheep, not goats. Since goats have much faster metabolism you always double the sheep dosage.
Next, we move on to hooves. Goats hooves are much softer than sheep and they need trimming every six weeks of so.
Trimming isn’t hard but it takes practice.
Lucy totally wanted to help.
Cini was happy to watch from the sidelines.
Next we pour on the delouser. Angora goats get a species-specific parasite that can only be killed with a chemical delouser. The delouser is poisonous and comes in a big, heavy bottle, so Erin thoughtfully (?!?) decanted some into a water bottle. But don’t worry- she drew a skull and cross bones on it.
All angoras carry a lice load but the idea is to keep it to the bare minimum. We are really good about delousing every six weeks or so, so it’s not a big problem.
One stripe of delouser down the back will usually do. Really lousy goats are sometimes painted with the stuff over every inch of their bodies.
Once the delousing is done we release the goat and start again on the next one.
The lambs are all very curious about what’s going on.
This is also the time to check everyone’s teeth.
Once the goats are done the sheep go really fast.
The sheep get wormer and a hoof check, but rarely need too much trimming.
Alabama, our first Southdown/Cormo cross, has so much fleece you can’t see his eyes.
It’s super-soft with lots of crimp. It will be interesting to see what we get out of his mama this year.
The lambs are the easiest to work so we save them for last. We work with the lambs so much that they are pretty calm throughout the process.
Colorado actually fell asleep while we were trimming his hooves.
It was a great afternoon. We worked hard but we laughed a lot too. Paige is learning so much so quickly, it amazes me. Working hard with people you like and respect doesn’t really feel like work at all, you know?
But it was also a bittersweet afternoon for me because it will probably be the last time Erin and I work sheep together. After spending 18 months living and working on my farm, Erin has decided it’s time for her to move on, move out and start building a life for herself. We both knew it was coming and neither of us have doubted for one minute that it is the right thing and the right time.
As regular readers know, I hate change like poison, but this doesn’t feel so much like change as the natural progression of things. I remember seeing Katie Couric interview Jerry Seinfeld the day the last episode of Seinfeld was going to air. Katie kept pressing him about how sad it was that show was over and Seinfeld said, “Why does it have to be sad? It was great and now it’s over.” And that’s kind of how I feel about Erin leaving.
I will say this though. I couldn’t have gotten through 2009 without Erin. She was supportive and loyal and always there for me. She helped me make decisions that I was flat-out incapable of making myself. And she kept me from taking myself too seriously. Erin is the best friend anyone could ever hope to have.
Also, she’s not going very far. She’s found a house about half an hour from here with an acre and half of land. She’ll be taking Sweet William and Feenat with her.
I’m not entirely sure what we are going to do about her job. Paige had taken over the bulk of her work and I’m not sure that we need another full-timer right now. I’m mulling over the possibilities: a local hire to help with farm chores, taking on an apprentice or two or hiring a live-in part timer. Our farm stays are so popular that leaning towards converting Erin’s room into another guest accommodation.
We’ll see.
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Best of luck, Erin, in your next endeavor! You’ll be missed!
Stay in touch
Thanks, Kate! I’ll definitely be keeping in touch, and I’ll be by on Shearing Days and help out at busy times or when Susie and Paige have to be away.
Erin, good luck to you, though I’ll definitely see you again. I’m glad you guys are all feeling good about the transition.
I’m also so excited for you that you get to keep William and Feenat! I can’t wait to hear about your new accommodations and plans!
So sad to hear about Erin because–no matter how positive this move is–it’s the end of an era, and I hate when that happens! (There’s a reason my parents and I still live together, you know.) I’m so glad she’ll still be nearby, though and available to help when necessary–that’s what family DOES, right?
Good luck, Erin! I know you don’t post often, but it’s always been good knowing you were THERE, so silly though it might sound, I’ll miss you, but I’m happy for you, too.
I would totally come join you guys, if i wasn’t nearly 6 months pregnant.
Good luck to Erin .. she’s a sweetheart and we all love her. It’s nice you’ll be close by…also nice that Sweet William and Feenat are going with her.
Erin, you really will be missed. I know the future will be interesting, exciting and filled with wonderful things for you. I hope you’ll post on Ravelry every now and then so we can keep in touch with you. Much luck!!
All the best Erin!! Please keep us up to date on Feenat pics, I’m not sure how long I can go without seeing those knee caps
Wow. Erin we’ll miss you! When I come down to visit the farm, can I come visit the ____ Ewe Farm, too?
(Colorado asleep is the perfect Hunter Boots ad. You should get a commission, Susie.)
Wow – change is such an interruption of trajectory. But it’s also growth, and growth is good. Godspeed, Erin – you’re still our farm’s matron saint…. you paved the way for our birth here as a CSA. Thank you. We do still want to see how you’re doing and how your new life blooms!
I am so very happy for Erin–It is wonderful to see her move on and upward! Best of luck in all you choose to try!
We will miss you…you have been such an influence on Sierra’s view of farmers.
Erin, we will miss your sense of humor and your calm loving way with the animals. You’ll be great wherever you are and whatever you do! Thanks for sharing yourself with all of us! hugs…
It was so awesome meeting Erin and she will be missed. You’re all incredible women! Best wishes in your newest adventure.
Erin’s new farm will be another star to twinkle alongside Juniper Moon. May it be the first of many celestial spin-offs!
Wishing you all things wonderful in your new venture, Erin! You’ll always be part of Juniper Moon and now a stellar addition to the fiber-galaxy!
Congratulations to you, Erin! That’s great news for you. You’ve proven that you’re a really smart, capable young woman, and I have no doubt you’ll be successful in whatever you decide to do. Best of everything to you.
p.s. I’m sad for Susie and Paige, though! Hang in there girlies . .. you can do it!! You can see the love you all have for the animals from the pix. xoxo
Good luck, Erin. Please keep us updated on Sweet William and Feenat, we will miss them too!
So did Colorado think he was in a spa getting a pedicure? Love it.
Good Luck Erin!! How exciting for you to have a new adventure to look forward to. Let us know about your new digs and your new endeavors. Wishing you much love and happiness in your future.
Wishing you good luck and happiness in your new venture. Glad you aren’t going too far away, too, so that you can still be part of the flock!
Good Luck Erin. You will be missed. Be sure to keep up updated on Feenat and Sweet William.
I’m crying! I mean I agree with what Susie wrote, but still I am crying.
May I ask, what do you look for when you check their teeth? The photo displayed someone’s perfect pearly whites (my dentist would be impressed) but are you looking only for obvious problems (broken teeth, bleeding etc) or do you have to watch for any kind of decay? And does the herd get routine dental treatments, or does their diet naturally limit their teeth’s exposure to bacteria/germs?
I know it sounds silly, but I have found myself wondering about their teeth because they make unexpected appearances in lots of your photos – like in the JMF January calendar shot that I am looking at right now!
Hey Jen! I just check their teeth for major problems- broken teeth or any obvious signs of trauma- and make sure that none of teeth are loose. Goats and sheep lose teeth as they age and sometimes a loose tooth can prevent them from eating/getting enough nutrition. Some animals have yuckier looking teeth than others.
I do love my Hunter boots!
Good Luck Erin. You are such a special person and I’m so happy for you. I will miss you so much this summer on the Vineyard.
Best of luck to you Erin! Keep us posted on your progress. Will never forget your posts about Sweet William sharing the bed and chickens hiding under buckets. Many good wishes coming your way.
This is about another post that I can’t find now. You were asking for categories of possible names for your new lambs and kids when they arrive; my contribution, artists – Charles Wilson Peale named his human children Rembrandt, Ruben, Titian and the girls,Sofanisba, Angelica (Kaufman) Sibylla (Maria Sibylla Merian) More woman artists, Giovanna (Garzoni), Georgia (O’Keefe) for a start.
Scientists could be good, Darwin, Gallileo, Einstein etc and the girls, Marie Curie, Maria Sibylla (Merian) -yeah, again, Rachel Carson, Elizabeth Blackwell. Then there are colors, Umber, Cyan, Magenta, Turquoise, Azure (Azzuro in Italian), Veridian, Olive,… OK, I’m done. If you don’t take any of these suggestions, I’ve now got names for my next fifty cats
WILL MISS ERIN!!!!!!
Also – that weight-tape is hilarious! Totally reminds me of Mary Poppins – how do you measure up?
Also – can I “dibbs” Alabam’s fleece? He looks so scrumptious!
Erin – so great to meet you and I have nothing but huge admiration for your strength and commitment. Good luck in your new phase of life and congratulations! I’m really going to miss you and hope you’ll stay in touch via the blog or Ravelry boards and I look forward to seeing you on open farm days, shearing days, etc.
Susie – congratulations to you for being such a great mentor that Erin is able to step out on her own.
Amazing how similar the process is to what you have to do to take care of dogs and bunnies–the delousing reminds me of putting frontline on the pups, and the bunnies need monthly nail trims and fur de-tangling. Of course, lambs and goats are much bigger….
Erin, best of luck! Can’t wait to see what you do next.
Best of luck to you Erin! Be sure to keep in touch
Ah, Erin! Best of luck to you- you are one awesome lady, and I know that you’ll do great things. Don’t forget us!
even though I’ve never met you, I feel as though I know you; that is a testament to your awesome writing… now, take it from me – a credo I’ve lived by: men may come, and men may go, but a good girlfriend will last you a lifetime. Mine have. Yours will.
requesting website with blog from Erin! we can’t lose track of Feenat and Sweet William! We have to keep track of Erin as well! wishing her the best in her new adventure!
Erin, we haven’t met, but I’ve followed your adventures on the farm, which show a woman with a lot of ability and gumption (old-fashioned word). I know you’ll approach this new life ready to handle what comes. And you won’t be alone. Besides Sweet William, and Feenat, we’re all cheering you on. Please check in here or on Ravelry occasionally. Or start your own blog.
Don’t forget a copy of Susan’s granola recipe.
Colorado is super cute, sleeping while getting his hooves cut! Good luck Erin
Best wishes in your next adventure!
Crayola Colors?? Erin, you will start a blog won’t you? I hate change, know it is necessary though.
Best wishes Erin, I know you’ll be a success in whatever you do, I’m glad we met and became friends. Keep in touch.
Oh my god! The pics of Lucy and Colorado!!!
Thank you, Erin. For all that you have done for the farm and for my dear friend, Susan. (and for me when you climbed into my locked up house!) Wishing you the very, very best.
Thank You Everyone for your good wishes and kind comments! You know I have loved all my time on the farm and have learned more than I could have imagined. The greatest surprise I had upon coming to work at JMF was discovering you all – our incredible group of friends and supporters! I have been honored to get to know you all, and especially pleased to get to actually meet some of you in person. I will definitely find a way to keep in touch – maybe I’ll even log into Rav more than once a month!? Love to you all – Erin
Erin, good luck in the next chapter of your life. I know I’m not alone in wishing you peace and prosperity. Maybe drop a comment now and then to let us know how you are.
Going to miss you so much Erin!!! And keep popping in to let us know how William and Feenat are doing. Best of luck!! xoxo