Kathryn wrote:
Shetlands can sometimes run into nutritional problems, but
if they have access to a nice variety of "weeds" as well as
boring old grass they can sort it out for themselves. Just
remember they fit through smaller spaces in the fence and
are really fond of the growing shoots of apple trees. The
wool is really nice to spin
Thanks for the info. I mentioned to Julie that our pasture
could handle a couple of Shetlands and it would be interesting
to learn about them. Next morning she and the neighbor lady
came driving up to the barn with a big grins
I helped unload and carried the ewe's out of the truck. They
don't weigh that much and you can pack a whole herd into a
small truck. At first i thought it was two sheep but they
kept coming out a small huddle and before i knew it we had
six. I now know that saying a "couple of sheep" can be
interpreted as six or more.
So far i've noticed that the ewe lamb bonding seems strong and
the Shetlands seem less confused than other sheep we have worked
with. Often if you shear a sheep the lambs and other sheep think
this is a new sheep and move away. With the Shetlands this has
not happened. Also, they are eating the Scotch broom's which
will save me some work.
This should be interesting.
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Jeff Owens ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Zone 7, http://www.teleport.com/~kowens
Underground house, solar energy, reduced consumption, no TV
