Well, as usual I got my little flock of 4 unaffordable miniature "lambs" that can barely take care of the pasture there is now, when all goes well. They weren't as advertised, since one gave birth!!!! Actually I should be thrilled, in a way, since she had no problems at all, unlike the giant fat ewes I've heard of; it's great to think that some day when I do have a perpetual flock, that they'll be able to take care of themselves so well on their own. And there'll be a fifth snout grazing.
Anyway, these sheep are always so skittish and so intensely flocking that it's impossible to feed just the dam, especially with the complete lack of facilities here, so I ended up with 3 fat pigs, one skinny ewe, and waist-high grass. So I've wondered a lot about how to get feed just to the ewe. The other day I soaked some fava beans, and it's working. They're so large that it only takes a few to quiet her hunger, they rattle in the bowl like grain (unlike tortilla pieces), and I can grow them in large quantities over the winter. She's aggressively ravenous, so it's easy to toss them just to her. I've thought about trying thick slices of cooked potato or parsnip (or walnut halves as a special treat). I've wondered whether parsnips contain the same hunger-suppressing compounds as fennel seed, since I always feel so satisfied after having a bowl of parsnips and cream for breakfast, or any meal involving parsnips. Fortunately they also grow like crazy over the winter here.
Advice would also be appreciated on how to fashion a lamb creep quickly and economically from things like fence posts, or whatever; it's still impossible to feed just the new lamb. I saw the dam kick it away yesterday, so at this rate I don't have to worry about its growing too big to fit through the bars!
Bill
S. Oregon coast
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