The sheep are in the barn and Ian is coming this evening to finish shearing Robin and Constance. This morning Jon helped me separate the sheep from the donkeys so Fanny and Lulu could go out to graze.
The sheep will get their turn at grazing after they are shorn. Even though we’re only shearing two of the sheep, it’s best to keep them all together. That way they feel safer and less stressed.
Sheep have four compartments in their stomachs. When the largest one is full it can inhibit their breathing when they are turned on their backs as they are for shearing.
I’ve never had this happen before with my sheep.
But last week, I was grateful to Ian for not continuing to shear the sheep when they began panting and showing signs of distress. He knew it could have been dangerous to keep shearing them. I know they had full bellies because they’d been grazing and eating the apples that fell from the tree just before Ian showed up.
In the hot days of summer and snowy days of winter the sheep spend a lot of time in the barn. So even though it’s a long time of them to be closed in, they’re right at home and are doing fine.
I think I’m going to adopt this new tradition of putting the sheep in the barn 24 hours before shearing. Even though I’ve never done it before, it seems it’s best for them and easier on them and Ian when it comes to shearing.
There’s always something new to learn and changes to make if I’m open to them.
Your animals are artists too. That bottom piece of wood looks like hills. They’ve inspired by their artist caretaker!
Ha! I’ve thought the same about that piece of wood Tonya. :)