THE SHEPHERD

I've recently had another opportunity to understand how my role as shepherd is defined. This has always been a humbling experience, probably because its not me doing the defining. The role of shepherd has evolved over centuries and even a control freak like me can do little to influence it one way or another.

We began weaning the lambs the other day. And like so many events here at Drumcliffe Farm, the experienced ewes are quick to recognize that their lives or environment have been altered, not necessarily in a good way. It always amazes me that the very same animals that are normally sure to keep their safe distance from me are just as quick to seek me out during times of stress or danger to seek a solution. Its not as if they they see me as the solution, its more that they expect me to find the solution - fix the problem. It started in the morning as we brought all the sheep into the barn from the pastures to sort out the lambs. Our neighbors, friends, and family had gone into the pasture to gather up the sheep and push them to the barnyard. At that moment, I realized that the sheep saw these strangers as a potential danger and I directed my help to the sides and simply called the flock to me. They calmly followed me right into the barnyard. The day ended with the lambs separated from their mothers and the annual lamb/ewe chorus began in earnest. I left Melody, our guard llama with the lambs, which calmed them. However, the ewes were on their own. For the next few days I could see it in their eyes. They weren't angry, or scared, accusatory. They simply and honestly wanted me to bring their lambs back to them. But they still trusted me to do what was right. In time after a few days, they still sensed that I could fix what they perceived as a problem, but their acceptance slowly grew.

This is difficult to explain to someone that has never experienced caring for a domesticated animal like sheep. Its not the same relationship as a with a pet cat or a pet dog. A human/pet relationship is more of a mutual benefit sort of thing, and dogs and cats have evolved (with our selective breeding) for thousands of years to fill an especially unique companion role. Domesticated farm animals have also evolved (with our help again) to fill a bit different role. Sheep, even the supposed "primitive" breed like our Jacobs, depend on the shepherd to survive. They would not exist without the shepherd. I know that and I believe they know it as well. I know there are a few exceptions of sheep and goats "going rogue" and surviving in the "wild", but that is not a viable self-sustaining population.

I have a healthy relationship with my flock. I understand my stewardship responsibilities and provide their needs. I thank them for their service to me and honor their existence. I am truly blessed.

PICTURES

Yesterday we took time off from getting the garden in to take photos of this year's lamb crop and get a first chance to really assess their fleece. We have photos of each sheep at a few days old but feel that you need to give them a few weeks to begin to display their true selves. Of course it was a real rodeo! A lot of chasing around, waving our arms, running in circles, swearing, and calling out in frustration. Chaos and confusion ruled the day. It was as if this was a brand new strange alien world for all involved with shocking surprises around every corner. Just as we'd think we had it under control, we'd be kicked back to square one. And the noise! My God, The caterwauls, the pleading to the heavens. You'd think it was the end of the world.

And that was just trying to edit the pictures and get them loaded onto our computer! I'll tell you of us trying to catch the sheep in another blog.

ANTHROPOMORPHIZE

Anthropomorphize. What an interesting word and what an even more interesting concept. Fun to say too. I'm no Latin expert but the two key roots of the word as I understand it are anthro and morph (human and form). The dictionary defines anthropomorphize as "to ascribe human characteristics to things not human". I've been accused of being anthropomorphic and I'll admit right here and now that I'm guilty! Not only guilty but a bit proud of it. I do have a philosophical problem with the term itself. It seems more than a bit egocentric on the part of the specie Homo sapien. More accurately, speciecentric. I bet my sheep often ascribe sheep characteristics and behavior to me. And that's my point. It seems pretty logical that I would see similarities between my sheep and myself, and other two-legged residents of Drumcliffe Farm. We certainly share a lot of the same genetic code and we evolved from a common ancestor. (I'm still waiting for an invitation to that family reunion.) Spend some time on a sheep farm during this season of pregnancy, lambing, young lambs, and weaning and I guarantee that you'll be ascribing all kinds of human characteristics to the sheep.

And here's another one: "Sheep are stupid." I can't think of anything further from the truth. They know exactly what is going on and they certainly have enough intelligence to outsmart me. I have one ewe that will pretend to be eating hay from a manger that I built right next to the gate I open and close regularly as I go about my chores. She knows that a bit of grain and the fresh stack of hay are stored on the other side of that gate. If I'm looking at her she'll be standing at the manger pretending to eat hay and will be completely ignoring me. She's not really eating anything -just goes through the motions. As soon as I turn my back she focuses right in on me and the gate latch. If I turn around she goes right back to her act. If I give her any space at all, and she thinks I'm not watching, she makes her move and slips through the gate. Of course she never makes it to the grain or haystack before I catch her. I'm beginning to think her objective is not the grain or the hay but is the game itself.

I love to watch the lambs this time of year, before they're weaned. They have so much to learn. Most of their first days are all instinct and their behaviors are hard-wired: standing, nursing, jumping, responding to mother's call, etc. But after a couple of days they venture away from their mothers to learn for themselves and to explore their world and capabilities. I get the biggest kick when I first perceive their recognition of me and how they try to make sense of who I am and why I am important in their world. Am I someone to be avoided, someone they could trust, or a bit of both? Of course it all depends on how their mother perceives of me, but once I see that they are beginning to figure the whole thing out for themselves, I try to respond in a positive non-threatening way. I figure that will pay dividends in the long run.

LAMBING SEASON IS NOW CLOSED!

Lambing season at Drumcliffe Farm has officially come to a close. And with a bit of drama. After I spent most of the night expecting some activity, Olivia finally decided to get down to business about 9AM. She was in labor about 1 hour and delivered a nice strong ram without difficulty. I knew she had multiple lambs to deliver but she seemed more interested in the first born than going back into labor. I was a bit concerned but decided to leave her to her own design. I was to help a friend shear his flock at 11 AM so I gave him a call and told him not to expect me but would try to be there if I could. After the first-born got his fill and she was able to put him down for a nap, Olivia finally got serious about the second labor. Since the first delivery was so quick once she started serious contractions, I figured the second would be the same normal presentation. She went down and began contractions just as with the first. After she stood and I was able to get a closer look, I recognized the second lamb was full breech. The process seemed too far along to reposition the lamb, and there seemed to be some room left for my hand. I was able to alternate tugs and twists and when the moment came, gave the lamb a strong pull. I quickly cleared the airway and tickled his nose with a piece of straw. Another strong lamb, stood early, and after only a bit of my coaching he got his share of mother's colostrum.

So, the season is over. I look forward to a full night's sleep. But honestly, I'm sad its over. Its been a very special time.

PATIENCE MAKES A WISE SHEPHERD

Not to say I'm particularly wise. In fact, I'm far from it. But something this morning allowed my wise voice to speak over the chaos of fear and questions. I ventured out to the barn about 2AM knowing that 2 of my ewes were starting to show external signs that their lambs were beginning to line up for their big moment. Sure enough, Tomi was out in the barnyard pacing around and talking to anyone that would listen and Mary was in a corner inside the barn with indications that her water had just broke and spending a lot of effort chasing other lambs from her maternity room. I was more concerned with Mary but also knew we had to keep an eye on Tomi as well. I gave Jan and Zoe a flashlight and sent them out to the cold dark morning while I pulled up a comfortable chair in front of the heater in the barn to watch Mary. Barney the barn cat recognized a good thing and nestled on my lap. I of course would call out to Jan and Zoe periodically to make sure the batteries in their flashlight were holding out. Mary really never got down to business and Tomi soon had twins which she quickly cleaned and started them nursing. We easily moved them from outside to one of the lambing jugs. Though she was obviously in some distress and making a little progress, by 4 AM Mary still wasn't very far along. Zoe retreated to bed but Jan got a couple of blankets and stayed by my side. By 5 AM Mary was trying her best but no lamb was showing. All kinds of visions of abnormal births started tormenting me. The first challenge would simply be to catch and restrain her and I knew Mary well enough that I wasn't looking forward to that bit of rodeo action. She had been in labor for a long time and I was worried. That's when the patience thing came into play. I was very tired and decided to leave her alone for 1 hour and go back to the house and bed. Maybe at least my mind would be clear. At 6:30 AM, with a great deal of trepidation, I made it back out to the barn. During the short walk from the house I was doing an inventory of all the equipment I would need to gather and reviewing in my head all the illustrations in the book of abnormal birth presentations. I nearly turned around, fearing what I would find. I gingerly wound my way through the newly awakened flock and nursing lambs toward the corner where Mary had staked out. She was gone! I quickly made my way to the barn door to inspect the barnyard. No sign of her! I went back into the barn for a second look and realized I had actually already stepped over her and her new twins twice in my search. Amazing! Mary was fine, the lambs were clean, and both were nursing. I went back to bed.

NATURE SPEAKS

With only three of our older ewes still to lamb, our lambing season is nearly over. Though we've lost four lambs so far, I'm generally pleased. Very tired, but pleased. The timing seems to be good too since our pastures are greening up nicely with a mix of warm sun and soft rain, which our newly lactating mothers really enjoy.

The first of our fatalities I discussed on my last blog.

The second was a bit of a surprise. First-time mother, single birth. The labor was very easy and quick which first led me to believe that the lamb suffered no trauma and should be healthy. I didn't even know she was close to lambing. In hindsight, I'm now thinking the whole thing was too easy and too quick. Labor and delivery involves a lot of triggers in both the lamb and the ewe and I wonder if those magic little moments never happened. The lamb never was able to stand on her own and was weak from the get-go. I easily milked the mother out and we stomach-tubed and bottle fed the lamb. The tubing got her the necessary colostrum but she never quite took to the bottle. I don't feel there was too much more we could have done.

The third was from an unobserved twin birth and was deceased by the time I found her. So a bit of mystery. The mother had her cleaned but it appears it never stood or struggled from where she landed.

The fourth may have been the most difficult for me as the shepherd. He was one of a triplet birth from Danie. Danie is the ewe that suffered from pregnancy toxemia last year with her triplets. I was feeling pretty smug this year since I had recognized her toxemic condition earlier and was able to treat her earlier with much less intrusion. Rather than close her in a treatment pen, as I did last year, I was able to give her propylene glycol orally as needed. She lambed unobserved and when I arrived on-scene two boys were with Danie getting plenty of attention and a third boy was off by himself in the barnyard - standing and cleaned but by himself. "Off by himself" seemed to be his style from that point on. In fact, he was small enough to escape the lambing jug twice. He seemed strong but never seemed to figure out where the milk source was located. He had good suckling instincts and I successfully bottle-fed him but he just seemed a bit lost. Jan thinks he was blind, which I understand is possible. I may have been able to make a bummer lamb out of him but chose not to. Here is where my challenge as the shepherd arose. We decided to raise the Jacob breed of sheep specifically because their "primitive" qualities meant they needed less care and maintenance. I decided to help him along with a little bottle feeding and some coaching but also decided to let Nature speak. I found him dead in the lambing jug one morning and released Danie and her, still very small boys, to the rest of the flock. They're doing fine.

It's Spring Break for the schools this next week and our number-one hand, our granddaughter, is now here to help finish the season. Maybe I'll get a little more sleep.

NAMING OUR LAMBS

Some have questioned why we name our lambs rather than simply keeping track of them with an ear tag number. We started naming the lambs after friends and neighbors that have helped us out on the farm in some manner. It probably seems pretty personal and we often get the typical response:

"How can you eat lamb if you know their names? As in please pass me another serving of George."

True, I can sense a bit of hesitancy when we let someone know they have a namesake frolicking out in the pasture, or if they actually come to the farm to visit their namesake, or especially if they know that "George" will soon be headed to the butcher. But after that initial pause, what I see is the honest seeking of their own personal connection with reality. In a way, it forces them to define for themselves what it means to be an omnivore. And if that process isn't triggered on its own, I make sure I help it along. It really is a visible sense of recognition that I see. I think it can only be positive when a 21st century grocery store shopper comes face to face with the reality of the farm, and I'm glad to help. I have to admit though that I soften things a bit when I deliver fresh lamb meat to a customer and even if they ask "Is this George?", I'll refuse to tell them.

Speaking of reality, we had a good healthy dose of it this morning. I was about to release a new mother and her twins from the lambing jug and put them in the pasture when I noticed that one of the twins was lethargic. Upon further investigation we discovered that he was born without an anus. Not necessarily common but it happens enough to be fully referenced in the sheep library I've accumulated. Not much option here but to put him down so he wouldn't suffer. He was a strong lamb in his first day or so and nursed normally, so this was a bit of a disappointment. The grandkids insisted on a full ceremony so we selected a nice sunny clearing down in the woodlot across Butterfly Creek.

Danie, one of older ewes suffered pregnancy toxemia last year before delivering triplets. With that in mind, I was keeping a close watch this year. I was able to begin treatments a little earlier this year when she started showing the typical symptoms so I hope this year won't be as traumatic as last years. I predict triplets again. However, even though she is one of our sweetest girls and probably the matriarch of the flock, she'll need to be culled after this year.