The Craziest Day of the Year, Part 1

This year, it ended up being more like an entire weekend of craziness.

On Saturday, we put the the ewes in with the rams.  That sounds simple enough, but we needed to trim hooves, deworm, and in some cases, check udders for soundness and insert an ear tag.  The rams needed to be harnessed.  Once all that was done, we needed to get six ewes to the far side of the back pasture.  Their ram (Chert) was then delivered to them.  Then we put seven ewes in with Feldspar in the other "half" of the back pasture. 

This year's breeding line-up.

The wethers had to be relocated as well.  Peat, Yeti, and Almond went easily, but Pecan was a bit of a challenge.  We ended up driving him to the front pasture in the dog crate in the back of the Mule.  (No pictures, but I think everyone in the neighborhood saw us!)

Pecan: It's not possible to carry him across pastures!

Chert's ladies are Elsie, Elvira, Tiffany, Filly, Peanut, and Pistachio.  Half are first timers (Filly, Peanut, and Pistachio), and they're nervously clinging to Elsie.  Then there's Elsie, who is twice as big as him...  Poor Chert.  He's not quite as self-assured as Feldspar...but then again, Gunpowder wasn't very confident at the beginning of breeding season last year, and he completed his job with flying colors.

Chert's ewes

Calico, Czadas, Hazel, Tricot, Theresa, Cashew, and Macadamia are with Feldspar.  Feldspar is fitting right in with his ladies.  He has two first timers--Cashew and Macadamia.  Cashew is sticking close to mommy Calico.  Macadamia attacked Feldspar, ramming him a few times, and now they are getting along just fine.

"What is that wee horned creature?" -Cashew

Feldspar & his ladies having breakfast

Feldspar & Hazel

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