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Barnyard Buddies:  Any Icelandic Sheep Caretakers Out There?  |
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hour3suns
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Sharon
Frankfort
OH
USA
76 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 09:03:52 AM
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We have been raising Icelandic Sheep for 2 years now. I enjoy them so much! Especially my #1 ram. I am working on cleaning and carding their wool so I can get the hang of spinning it. I'm interested in chatting with someone else that has Icelandics to get their take on raising them and if they raise them orgainically, do you grain or not, and whatever else we can think of. Right now we have 2 rams, 3 ewes, 3 ram lambs, and 3 ewe lambs. I'll have to rehome the ram lambs somewhere soon though. Love those little guys but I can't keep them all.
Smiling & Waving,
Sharon |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 09:18:21 AM
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Hi Sharon
I have raised Icelandic Sheep for over 10 years - I no longer maintain a flock but I am very willing to assist in any way I can.
To Answer of few of the questions you posted - I did not feed grains - but then my whole farm is grass based that includes Alpaca, Llamas, several breeds of sheep, milk goats, Sngora and Cashmere Goats. My farm has been organic and holistic for 13 years and all are raised that way unless something terrible wrong happens like surgeries, c-sections and the like. I am happy to report that I have not had issues like that for about 5 years and the rest I treat herbally.
I am a fiber business full time so if you have questions regarding their fiber I am here to help also.
Great to see someone with this breed. I enjoy every minute with them. I spent time in Iceland with the breeders there and also my flocks came from the original three - Stefania Dignum, Susan Briggs and Barbara Webb...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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hour3suns
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Sharon
Frankfort
OH
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 12:14:40 PM
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Hi Grace. Nice to meet you. Also nice to know I have someone else to talk to about our sheep. We're the only ones in our area with them as most folks around here with sheep have club lambs and raise them to sell for or as 4-H projects. My son is determined to take some of our sheep as a breeding project next year. That will be interesting considering he wants to take Brown Baby and that means leading him around on a leash from what I understand. I think he'll be agreeable but only practice will tell.
I don't particularly like to give the sheep grain since I don't feel it's necessary, but hubby feels it is when they are pregnant and sequestered in a stall. Then he feels it's necessary since they're nursing, blah, blah, blah. I don't mind using a bit of grain as a treat to get them from one field to another but other than that I'm really not into it and would prefer they only take in grass/hay.
What do you do about worming your sheep? I'm very interested to know since you use a holistic approach. I've asked this question of other sheep owners around here but they are all chemical users whether it comes to their livestock or gardens and they don't seem to understand why I wouldn't want to do the same. Last summer was devistating as even though I had been using a wormer I lost sheep due to a certain type of worm infestation and a veterinarian's incompetence. I took my favorite ram at the time to OSU for a necropsy to confirm the problem, although the vet would never believe it. Whether it's our poultry, sheep, or horses I'd really like to take a more natural approach to their care. Well, I suppose this is enough of a novel for you at the moment. Again, thanks for your reply.
Smiling & Waving,
Sharon |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 3:00:24 PM
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I only have one Icelandic Ewe right now...(and a navajo churro ram) although I have had as many as 6 at a time before. Not many around here either. I bought a lovely unrelated registered pair when I lived in Calif and moved them out here with us 8 years ago,(they were from Tongue River stock) and that ewe just died this spring at 10 years old. My black ewe Trixie is her daughter. I have had other sheep and love Icelandics best for sure. I don't feed grain either. I just have a small "farmette", and use the fiber from my sheep for my own spinning. Grace is for sure our Icelandic (and fiber!) expert here...I am so glad she saw your post!!
have fun!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 4:43:31 PM
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Oh Jenny - I would not say expert but I have been around the block a couple of times... You have Tongue River stock I did not know - Susan was a dear friend of mine and my sons - her exhusband Rex still covo's all the time and my sons call him a dear friend too...
The grain really is not necessary if you have great hay, some alfala, minerals and other additions. Grain is also harder to process for an animal who is sitting in a stall and then on top of that expecting. Also during the hot months you are turning up their internal temp and that is not go for the baby they are growing or their fleece. You will have much to much fleece breakage with grains in those sheep. They are wired to forage and to live in harsh environments... You have not hear the story but the day after my sheep arrived we where hit with the hardest blizzard I have ever seen - I am a native here so I knew our weather. We crawled on our stomachs to get food and water to animals but we could not find our Icelandic's which where out in a far pasture. For days as we struggled to not lose animals and just live - I cried every minute thinking I had killed our whole flock of Icelandic. All the Money, All the Lives (35 sweet Icelandics). Then one day as the storm passed, tied to my oldest son we crawled out again to that pasture. My son fell thru the snow and he screamed - MOM I found the sheep - sure enough they where safe and nibbling on the dried grass below all that snow. They tunneled around and kept alive eating what little was there and eating the snow. So would I want to do that every winter no - but I sure don't know any breed that could have done that.....
I need to know what type of worm infestation you had before I start looking up things. Also I live the worst county for the good old boy system of life - better life thru the wrong kind of chemicals.. You know the drill. The way I changed things is I had to get on Fair Board, started my own 4 h group, became the 4 h advisor but that also was before we have organic on all things - still it is going to be a challenge but I will help you steady your guns...
Sorry this is so long - but we will have a great time together - I am very passionate about this, can you tell??
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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hour3suns
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Sharon
Frankfort
OH
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2010 : 6:47:28 PM
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Grace, Bill told me the common name for the worms that plagued us and came up in the necropsy was barber pole worms. I did save the report so I can dig it up if I need. We had a vet telling us the sheep were dying from a thiamine deficiency and when my ram died I hauled him into the car and took him to OSU for the necropsy. It was heartbreaking to see on paper the vet was so wrong. I even asked the vet about the possibilit of worms and he wouldn't hear of it. Report in hand and he still told me OSU was wrong. Needless to say, he's no longer used here.
Anway, our sheep are definitely a passion of mine also. I just love my woolies! It's going to be hard finding the ram lambs new homes, but I have to do it soon. I'm doing my best to learn how to clean, card, and spin their wool but it's definitely a challenge. I'm getting the hang of it though. I hope to sell some of my yarn at the farmers market one of these days.
I read your post about feeding grain to Bill just now and it's given him something to think about.
Smiling & Waving,
Sharon |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 22 2010 : 06:10:04 AM
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Sharon, I would love to have a few ewes for the wool and maybe milk them. The milk is supposed to be really good and makes great cheese. But I can only imagine how many ewes I'd have to milk to get a gallon. The ewes I had before didn't seem to have much milk. Anyway, I have my great grandmother's old spinning wheel. I inherited it a few years back. I took it to a lady up on the mountain to get her to put it together for me. But the grands kind of took it apart again. So I will try it again. I do want to learn to spin wool one day. I just think the wheel is beautiful and has so many memories.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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lelasfriend
True Blue Farmgirl
109 Posts
sara
baltimore
MD
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - Jul 22 2010 : 08:54:07 AM
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| I highly recommend taking a FAMACHA workshop and learning to identify and treat parasites in sheep especially if you have already had a death due to the infamous barber pole worm. I have taken the workshop three times and each time I learn more. It is a holistic approach to dealing with parasites in sheep. Overall we are seeing more problems nationwide in this area. Call your extension service to find the closest workshop. Sara |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 22 2010 : 08:54:36 AM
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My old ewe Juliet was very milky. I always meant to get around to trying milking her but never did. Her fleece got long very fast and I did have either milk goats or a cow the entire time I had her so it never was really a priority.
I love that Icelandics have a dual fleece so you can separate and get two different types of yarn or blend it and get a third type... fun to experiment.
Kristin..you would love spinning...so relaxing and fun. I need to make more time lately for spinning. I love it!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 22 2010 : 10:31:05 AM
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I agree with Sara the workshop is a great source and then there are tons of books too. There are several successful Milk and Cheese farms out there using Icelandic. As with any milk breed their are conditions which make certain ewe's a successful milking herd. There are several great articles in the ISBOA I do not know if you are a memmber?? I gave mine up when I sold the last sheep..
Since my first love next to my animals is spinning I find even if I just get to spin for 10 minutes it put my life back in order. I make a living out of doing this so also my time is spent in the producing of fiber arts - I hope you will give spinning a try..
I have never dealt with barber pole worms but here are a few suggestions to get you on your way - first, go to Farmstead.com and they have a weath of information, drench formulas and also great natural worming products. Second, B12 and Vitamine C are great to give them when they are having a blood sucking worm. That will aid them quickly and keep their system going while you kill the warms. Barber Pole worms have a life span of 10 to 14 days and in the hot months are when they are active... You must keep close eye on them because they can go quickly especially if they are lambing or in breeding season - hormonal activity seems to trigger the Barber Pole Worm. Next, and this is a big one you must follow organic practices - which means the animals do not have contact with other animals yours or at shows. I know this is a hard one but if you are taking healthy animals into areas where there are animals that may not be - then your animals are not pumped with crap and so they might be able to come down with something that you are not prepared to deal with. We went to a show where every sheep came down with sore mouth... The year before that I had decided not to travel my animals and boy was I thankful for that. Now you might say does the animals have to be vet checked - maybe they used your vet but as you can agree not all vet's know what they are doing.. Some shows to cut corners just have a lay person who rasies that animal do the check, well, I don't know about you but some of the folks around me who raise sheep I would not let look after a rock let alone my sweet animals... So again, not trying to scare anyone or say you can not do something I just give you my experience and you do with it as you wish. I also never tell someone not to use medications - I have and will if I have no other choice and I wish to save the life of my animal... So it should be fun to share ideas, experiences and love for these animals.
I am still gathering up my books for you and will email you info... Have a wonderful day ladies.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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hour3suns
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Sharon
Frankfort
OH
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2010 : 10:00:59 AM
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Hate to seem so strawberry blond, but I am and have to ask - what is the FAMACHA workshop? Or actually, what does FAMACHA stand for? Took me forever to figure out what folks were saying in posts on another forum when they'd write "ROFLMAO." No telling how long it would take me for this one.
Smiling & Waving,
Sharon |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2010 : 12:28:14 PM
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Same here, Sharon!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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lelasfriend
True Blue Farmgirl
109 Posts
sara
baltimore
MD
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2010 : 1:05:09 PM
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Famacha is a system of targeted deworming that was developed in Australia. It is based on the fact that we have created a very serious problem worldwide by over de worming and thus making worms become resistant to the available dewormers. Famacha teaches you to evaluate the color of the sheeps' mucus membranes especially of the eyes and only de worm when it is necessary. That may mean never for some sheep. The method targets the Barber Pole worm because it is the parasite that causes the most deaths in sheep by latching onto the walls of the intestines and sucking the blood causing severe anemia and death. The eye chart you receive when you take the workshops are based on the color value of actual blood values. You cannot get the chart without going to a workshop because it is not that simplistic. You also learn to look at your animal holistically - learn to condition score for body condition, look at wool quality, age of sheep and demeanor to ascertain whether or not to treat for parasites. You learn about the different families of dewormers and what the differences are as well as alternatives to the traditional dewormers like therapeutic garlic, copper granules etc.
You also learn the role of nutrition in enhancing the immune system of a sheep and the importance of protein in the diet. You learn to collect and evaluate fecal samples for eggs of different parasites since some dewormers target only certain worms. I have had amazing success with this program in the 17 years I have been raising sheep and I highly recommend it. sara |
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lelasfriend
True Blue Farmgirl
109 Posts
sara
baltimore
MD
USA
109 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2010 : 1:42:04 PM
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Forgot to reply to one more thing. I agree with Grace that exposure to other animals outside of your farm carries a risk. The decision to not expose your animals to other animals is called creating a closed flock. That means that you do not take your animals off property to fairs, or festivals where they come into contact with other animals and you do not allow other animals to come on your property as in running a stud service. If you make the decision to not have a closed flock there are ways to minimize your risks. Many farmers make people who come on their property even without animals, wash their hands and dip their boots in a weak bleach solution. Many also have you drive your car tires through a weak bleach solution since some diseases are carried environmentally. When we take animals to a fair we make sure to pen our sheep away from the others in a more isolated area of the barn. We dip their hooves in a weak bleach solution before they enter the trailer on the way home. We lime the pens before bedding down. The 4Hers do not pet or in other ways interact with black faced meat breeds who are notorious carriers of disease. We are required to have vet signed health papers that we show on entering the fairs. In addition the kids are all required to fill out and sign self check health papers certifying that their sheep are healthy when they put them on the trailer. I have taught my 4H club to check off on respiratory, skin, intestinal and other signs. The sheep are then inspected by the state vet on arrival as well. The kids know that the animals welfare comes first and they know I will not transport a sheep that is limping, coughing etc. There are years that they win blue ribbons and there are years that build character as they sit on the sidelines and cheer for someone else because their lamb had to stay home. We also quarantine the sheep that go to the fair from the rest of the flock when we get home.
Yes, this is not full proof and again is just a way of minimizing your risks.
Some viruses like soremouth are extremely contagious and live for a long time in the environment. The soremouth virus is related to chickenpox and can be caught by humans as well. Luckily it is not life threatening and most sheep breeders will experience it in their flock eventually. Some diseases are really only experienced by meat breeds like club lamb fungus.
Hope this helps and as always there is the ideal and then there is the reality of what we deal with in the sheep world. Sara |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2010 : 5:01:34 PM
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So Right Sara - The problem we experienced at country fair was the Superindent was the health problem - his flock was always sick - he sold to the kids, taught the kids and even showed them how to cheat witht things like filling their guts with water to make sale weight, backing them into electric fences to learn how to brace and each year the barn was full of health issues that no one seemed to care about. We spent years trying to educate, lobby at state 4 h levels, get the county and state vet involved and we heard you do not have to participate.. Your right we stopped - We figured ways to build our reputation without traveling our sheep. I have my farm set up in a way that you can come and wear special gear, you can see the animals from outside the pens and vehicles are parked in an area where no animal ever steps foot on. When I travel to shows as a fiber and animal vendor (No Animal GO) just pictures I wear only what I call my traveling clothes that includes shoes. Those are never on the farm ground EVER... I know this all sounds like we live in a glass bubble but we don't. I just found with planning you can do very well and not expose your animals. I am lucky to never have had soremouth but I also feel luck was not why - I have dear friends who have lost sheep to sore mouth and it will live in the ground for up to 12 years. I love my friends dearly but they too can not be in with my animals, drive their vehicles anywhere other they the appointed spot and yes I am a nutter to some but I must say it is well worth it. As I have said many times and will keep saying - everyone is allowed to do what works for them and never feel like you can not ask questions and then make your own decissions.
For many years I had a waiting list for my meat lambs and so I figure I do what works for me and my gut - Quality animals and word of mouth did more for my business then any county ribbon even thou we managed to fill boxes with them. As the Saying Goes "Different Strokes for Different Folks"
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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hour3suns
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Sharon
Frankfort
OH
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2010 : 2:13:56 PM
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Thanks everyone! I appreciate all the input. When we bring a new animal in I always quarentine them away from the others, whether it's poultry or something else. You never know what someone else has at their place. I'm going to check with the extension office next week and see what they can tell me about FAMANCHA around here. Reads like something that's right up my alley.
Smiling & Waving,
Sharon |
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momdrinkstea
True Blue Farmgirl
180 Posts
Elizabeth
Ozark
AL
USA
180 Posts |
Posted - Jul 25 2010 : 9:45:04 PM
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Hi all!
I'm in the finger lakes region in NY, are there any Icelandics
available around here? I've looked at the breed before, and
researched it quite a bit, and love that they're cold-hardy
(important here!) and super foragers. Does anyone know of a
website for them, with links to lambs for sale?
We're looking to buy in spring 2011.
THANKS!
-Greenhaven Gardens
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein |
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hour3suns
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Sharon
Frankfort
OH
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2010 : 03:24:06 AM
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Here's a link to ISBONA's breeder information. I know there are others out there that aren't part of ISBONA, but it's a start for you. http://www.isbona.com/breeders.html You may also find some success by doing a web search for Icelandic Sheep in New York.
Smiling & Waving,
Sharon |
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Cavalli Runner
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Brenda
Mercer
MO
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2010 : 03:43:20 AM
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Hello Ladies!
Sharon, I just started with my Icelandic flock at the beginning of June. We have a ram and 4 ewes. I have already had some contact with Grace and Kristin. Grace is a wealth of information and I like the way she thinks!
I, too, would like to try to be as organic or natural as possible. But I won't risk my animals at the expense of being militant about it! Until I learn the ins and outs of how to treat my sheep without meds, I will use what I need to to keep them healthy.
Are you raising poled or horned sheep? We have horned ones. My husband wants to find someone that we could trade lambs with in the future so that we can build our flock. As for me, the jury is out on that one until I see my lambs! I know we will have to part with a few (especially ram lambs) and get a new ram next year if we keep our ewe lambs to breed, but I haven't figured out how I will go about that. If I could get some lovely black ewe lambs, I would't want to part with them!
When I chose Icelandics to raise, my husband did not like them at all. But the day after we got them he started to say how cool they were and, by the end of the week, he said he thought they were actually quite beautiful! Now he stands out there just watching them graze almost every morning while he drinks his coffee!
Happy Farming!
Brenda Larson
You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving.
http://cavallirunfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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Cavalli Runner
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Brenda
Mercer
MO
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2010 : 04:46:15 AM
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Just me again!
Grace, how did you get your sheep to eat their minerals without mixing in some grain? I don't give mine much grain, but every evening we put out fresh minerals in which I have mixed a little corn and oats. They don't seem to like the minerals, but I know they are getting at least some when they eat the grains out of it.
Also, you said to me once, "Don't treat your Icelandics like other sheep. They are not the same." Could you be more specific? The only info I have right now is the Storey's book of sheep and another sheep book. I know that Icelandics have some unique qualities, but what is it that you should or should not do with them that you would do with other types of sheep?
Can you tell us...did you use a pre-mixed mineral, or did you make a custom mix for your sheep? I have seen some recipes but do not know where I would find all of the ingredients and it seems like you would have to order large quantities and storage of all of those items would be an issue. And, for my 5 sheep, would I be able to use it up fast enough not to have things spoil and be wasted? I want to go natural, but must also be somewhat frugal.
Happy Farming!
Brenda Larson
You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving.
http://cavallirunfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2010 : 05:19:42 AM
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Hey, I am thinking of getting started with a few sheep. Do you shear the Icelandics? Hubby doesn't want to go through the shearing part. I have also been looking at the Kathadin sheep. They are a hair breed that you don't shear. I am wanting to get sheep just for eating all our grass. I am not interested in spinning. We have 2 horses and 2 cows, but there is still too much grass.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
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Cavalli Runner
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Brenda
Mercer
MO
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2010 : 04:37:31 AM
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Yes, Icelandics get sheared twice a year, usually! I hear that they will "self-shear", however, if you don't shear them.
Our Icelandics do a great job of clearing out the brush...but I'm not sure what condition their wool is gonna be in because of it. I am planning to hire someone to shear for me and I will do the skirting and cleaning myself. If you are not interested in spinning, you can sell the raw fleeces to people who do.
Happy Farming!
Brenda Larson
You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving.
http://cavallirunfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2010 : 08:42:49 AM
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Gena, if you are wishing to just clear grass then I might just suggest a good mower.. Sheep are a bit of work especially if you have not raised them before. Sheep also require more then just eating the grass around the place - they need food in the winter along with minerals and possible vet care and such. They also do not work the same as your horses and cows and should not be in with them. So that means separate quarters. Don't get me wrong I love sheep but if you are not going to use the wool which does require you to care for them correctly or the fiber is worthless and you do not wish to shear them then what would be the point of getting them. Yes, there are hair sheep and they are mostly for eating - not sure if that is what you had in mind but again you will have to invest in learning how to care for them...
Icelandic do what is called breaking of the fleece but they are by no means a none shearing sheep. Yes, you must also manage them correctly to have the fleece worth purchasing or using. Of all the breeds I shear the are the easiest.
Brenda I am still gathering books but here is a couple of questions? Did you get your land tested? That will tell you what you sheep will not be getting. Do you have your hay tested? Again, that will tell you what you animals will be needing and then also did you get from the folks you purchased what they where using, how long the animals where on it and why they where giving them those things? That all will give you the base line to managing your sheep. Also what books do you have other then the Storey's Book?
If you do not feel you can handle purchasing and storing the necessary minerals and such for your small flock then I might suggest you start networking with other like minded folks in your area and go in together on those items and then split them. Since I never fed grain to my Icelandics I have never dealt with your situation. My sheep and for that matter all of the animals at the farm take minerals as needed. If you have done your base work then you will know what is lacking and it is very easy for them to balance back out. I also feed kelp (which is expensive) to all my animals - Icelandics really like it and require it. They get a large portion of their diet in Iceland from kelp and lychen so their minerals are always in front of them while they comb the land. Again, it is a matter of your health of the flock so it should have been planned into the budget. There are many things that you can grow or forage for that will not cost but your time so money is not always the answer. Until I know more about what you have been doing I can not give any specific advice. When I do consultations for farms I spend much time on getting to know their management practices, health of the flock, genetics of the flock and your goals before I make recommendations. It is not one size fits all and I am more then willing to help just need more from your side. Also, do not trade lambs unless you know for sure the genetic background - it may sound like a money wise thing to do but you may screw up your own flock genetically. Also, if the farm does not do your same practices you are also inviting health issues that will cost you in the long run. So do much research before swaping. I understand there is a big difference between when I ran an operation of 200 Icelandic to your 5 but if you ever which to get ahead and also make money off them you really need to do the same things as a large operation would do... How do you think we got large?? I did not purchase those 200 up front we grew our flock and reputation..
Have a great sheepy day and hope it is cooler where you are..
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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Cavalli Runner
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Brenda
Mercer
MO
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2010 : 10:58:19 AM
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Grace,
Thanks for what you were able to tell me. Of course, I would not buy or trade anything without doing some research before I did. I was just exploring the possibilities that might be out there. I want to try to do some "networking" with other breeders in order to increase my pool of options.
I had an agronomist out to look at our grasses but she was, disappointingly, not very savy. She said she thought we had a good mix of grasses and legumes, didn't see anything obviously poisonous, and took some samples of plants she wasn't sure about with her.
I had planned to get our grasses tested when we were ready to cut the hay, but that won't be until next year. We'll be buying hay this year for the winter as we are having someone else buy and cut our fields this year (we don't yet have the equipment to do it ourselves).
We do have a budget for caring for the few animals we have right now, but I still do not want to buy excessive amounts of ingredients and end up having large amounts of it go to waste. I will try to see if there is anyone I could share with. That is a good idea.
I have a vet that has not worked with a lot of sheep, but he has worked with some. And he is the kind of vet that is willing to research and find out whatever he does not know. He also will not soak you for more money by selling you stuff you don't need or run tests that you don't need. He has several times advised against exessive tests or meds for our puppies and our horse if it wasn't necessary, so we feel that we can trust him to tell us the truth. I had asked him about BoSe (what was recommended to me to have on hand in case of white muscle or bottle jaw issues) and he did not recommend it for this area as we are selenium rich and some animals have even over-dosed on selenium in the area. He is pretty knowledgeable (I had several recommendations about him before I started using him and have even had several after we tried him out) about the area and he is very excited about our Icelandics. So I also get advice from him that I feel is trustworthy.
I just met a lady who lives closer to us, although probably still an hour and a half away), and she has been raising poled Icelandics for several years. I have asked her for advice that would be more relevant to our area and she has offered to help me in any way she can as well.
We do not know yet where we want to go with our flock. This year was to be a trial period to see if we could handle the sheep and if we actually enjoyed working with them. We are very fond of them and have surprised ourselves many times at our own abilities to figure things out and work with the sheep. They are teaching us so much and we are starting to feel like we would like to grow our flock and become a much larger operation over the next few years. We have 80 acres of good pasture (minus the homestead area) so we have plenty of room to grow. Once we have been through the first year and experienced shearing, breeding season and lambing, we will know for sure where our future with Icelandics is headed.
I admit that we are very green and we have not done the extensive research that you did. But we have learned what we could and are learning the rest on the fly. Experience is a good teacher. We are careful, cautious, and sensitive to their needs and we try our best to make those needs a priority. The lady we bought them from had a very nice operation and she looked over our farm before leaving her sheep with us. She thought we had a nice little set up for our little flock and felt they would be well taken care of here. We spent quite a bit of time visiting back and forth via email and then we spent an afternoon with her at her farm so that we could see first-hand some things we would need to know. She knew that I was very concerned that I would be able to take good care of the sheep and expressed to me several times how appreciative she was that I was going to such lengths to prepare for bringing the sheep here.
I have never raised any sheep before, but we did raise some antelope orphans while living in Africa. We also raised an orphaned monkey. I had no one to give me any advice about caring for them, so I had to figure it out as I went along. I made banana smoothies every day for the monkey until he was able to eat whole bananas and other fruits on his own. I even learned his "language" and new when he was upset, afraid, warning us, etc. I would buy various grains and make a nice diverse mix for the antelope, plus give them vegetable scraps and such to round out their diet. I try very hard to take good care of my animals. It is something that is extremely important to me. What I lack in experience, I try to make up for in dedication. I am very serious about doing a good job and being a good steward of what God has entrusted me with.
I truly appreciate any advice that anyone is able to help me with. I am just learning about genetics. I was very trusting of the lady who sold me these 5 and I am happy with the mix that she helped me to pick out. I am anxious to see the books and things you are getting together for me. I am always looking to increase my knowledge and improve my methods.
Can you tell me a good source for buying the minerals and especially the kelp? Most of my sources so far are from vet supply places. I had a guy here who I was working with to make me a custom mineral mix (he was going to come and test my grasses), but then he took a job in another state, so that fell through. Now I am on my own again!
Happy Farming!
Brenda Larson
You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving.
http://cavallirunfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2010 : 12:13:07 PM
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What a wonderful adventure - I envy you with your care of such great diverse animals. I know you will do well with the sheep and that you and your husband will be looking ahead to more expansion. You have done everything right and just so you know I was not born a sheep breeder, farmer or anything like that. I started my farm after my husband passed away and my two small sons had two llamas that the homeowners had decided where not in keeping with their new changes. We went from 5 acres and two llamas, chickens and rabbits to 35 acres and a need for a business plan. So my background is in law and research so that is what I did - went to work learning everything I could to get us up and running. Trust me I have asked thousands of questions, taken hundreds of coarses and found the best folks to learn from - it is always a learning curve. Even after it all there is a whole world I do not know and so if you allow me too I will do the very best I can to assist where I can.
Kelp is very expensive and so if you can get a group together that would be best. However, it keeps well too. I great metal trash can with a tight lid and lock is what I used. It was also kept away from all animals so no one would get in it and overdoze.... I purchase my minerals and herbal wormers from Farmstead and when I had a larger operation I had wholesale prices - again a network would be good for this if you do not have a business license. You might see if the ladies that you talked about might be your first network. You might even place an ad on craigslist and with your local extention office to get a group of you together and start the plaining process. I forgot to ask do you have a local feed co-op? Sometimes they can hook you up - ours will make your own mixes but you have to have quanity but they will let you know of others who are in the same boat if you have one...
I promise to get the items together - just got hit with a couple of large custom orders along with the rest of the work and so I am still just see what I still have left. Sold off a bunch of books and have not redone the inventory on my computer so I have many to go thru. Also, I do not remember did you say you join the Icelandic Breeders Association?? The monthly news letters, chat rooms and networking could help - but again I have not been with them for sometime so I can not say who is next to you... I will be back and give you the list... Got to run the dye pots are going...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
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hour3suns
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Sharon
Frankfort
OH
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 5:04:14 PM
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Brenda, all of our Icelandics but one are horned and according to our registration papers are horned without polled ancestors. Our poled ewe came to us by way of a neglectful caretaker that shouldn't have had her to begin with. I prefer them with the horns, but Fran is here to stay regardless of what she has on top of her head. When it comes to their wool I love the color variations. We have sheep that are black, brown, black & white, brown & white, and a mixture of colors. I think it is so exciting when lambs are born to see the color they are sporting. Even better is after they've grown some and the color changes, whether it's that they're born a chocolate brown and it grows out to a different shade or something else. Yes, their wool will reach a breaking point if it's not sheared by a certain time in the spring but letting it go to that point makes it useless in my opinion. I want quality wool for spinning. As much as I'd like to shear them myself I don't know how and don't have anyone to show me properly. We have folks around here that shear their sheep but it's for the fair and they don't want the wool so it's sheared off however they get it off and that's the gist of it. I pay a guy to come do it. One of these days I'll learn it myself, just don't know when it'll come. I don't want anyone to think I'm hard core no chemicals/medications wanted here. That's not the case, but if I don't have to use them I don't want to. Knowledge is power and if I don't have the knowledge I can't make informed decisions. It's fascinating the animals you've been able to take care of, Brenda. Definitely a great experience! We rescued a horse earlier in the month that spent over 3 years in a small stall and was fed only enough to sustain himself. He was and is still quite a mess and it will take a long time to get him back to whatever normal will be for him, but we love him and will do everything we can for him. We have rescued others of one kind or another and love doing it. Anyway, we love our Icelandics here and I couldn't imagine not having those woolies out there in the field. Speaking of, Brown Baby is out there hollering at me for something. More than likely he's wanting over in the pond pasture and he's going to have to wait until tomorrow for that.
Smiling & Waving,
Sharon |
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Barnyard Buddies: Any Icelandic Sheep Caretakers Out There? |
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Any Icelandic Sheep Caretakers Out There?
