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Thursday, December 28, 2017

Sheep With Character

Perhaps a little too much character!

While we haven't had the cold that, say, Minnesota has had, we've been extremely cold for Kentucky, especially as we were just enjoying temps in the upper 50s and 60s last week.  If you are following on Instagram or Facebook, you saw the picture of Mrs. Pepperpot sporting her new winter coat yesterday.  She's had the most trouble with the cold.

We'd moved her, Lila, Annabelly and PPPP into the "lamb pen" so they could get extra food with less competition.  We put up some sheet plastic to block the wind coming through the end gate and bedded them down in deep straw and hay.  It wasn't enough.  Mrs. Pepperpot was shivering hard yesterday morning.

I scrambled, adding extra wind blocking on the three coldest sides, deeper bedding and a heat lamp.  When that didn't seem enough, I took one of the old horse blankets and cut it down to sew a Mrs. Pepperpot size.  That did the trick.  She finally looked warm and happy.  And no one else was.

The other three could not abide with a sheep wearing a coat.  PPPP was so unhappy that I let her move back into the main flock.  Lila and Annabelly settled down with some Cheerios and I thought I was in the clear.  Annabelly didn't seem bothered by the jacket anymore but started looking extra cold and miserable herself.  She's old and skinny.  Cold can kill...and I honestly thought that was where we were headed.

Okay, we still have Renny's old jacket.  That should fit her.  I struggled to get her to her feet and checked the size.  Two straps needed to be moved over so I marked them and headed for the sewing machine.  When I came back she was huddled next to the gate to get back in with the main flock.  She looked so bad that I decided to let her go back in with them.  She'd still be cold and couldn't wear a jacket in with them, but least she'd be happy and what would happen, would happen.


That's her on the other side of Baaxter just a few minutes later.  Miraculously cured.  She spent the next hour or so either chumming around with him...or trying to beat him up.  I guess their "relationship status" would be listed as "it's complicated".  At least she's happy...and not dying.   

Sheep...

The reason everyone was allowed in Del Boca Vista was because I was switching out their plastic water tank with a new galvanized tank.  I have no idea why they are no longer happy drinking from the old tank, but water is important all the time and especially so when it's cold. 

I'd checked the tank, checked the heater, nothing seemed amiss.   Saint Tim had replaced the automatic waterer in the side field, but they no longer had access to that now with Lila and Pepperpot moved into that area.  Replacing the tank with a different style, material, color, whatever was worth a try.  Replacing it and building a new top (different size) with sheep "help"...was not going to be helpful.  I knew a free trip to DBV would be the perfect distraction.


The number one reason to "break into" DBV is to steal all of Allie's food and sleep in her bed.  You'd think it would be all the grass, but no.  Chocula is a repeat offender.  Look who his new sidekick is.  Yep, that's "sweet" little Muffin.  Even the chicken can't believe this bad behavior.


Look at the big wad of stolen hay.  Keep in mind that it's the exact same hay they all get.  She then proceeded to go around to the back side and rip half the plastic down.  

Kids...



Speaking of "kids", this is the funniest story of the day.  I noticed Buddy was involved in a bit of a scuffle mid afternoon.  I don't let anyone pick on old wobbly Buddy.  I headed into the barn lot to break it up and saw that actually no one was picking on Buddy.  Buddy was mixing it up with Murphy, the biggest sheep on the farm...over a girl!  Poor Renny.  

This went on all afternoon and into the evening with only short breaks here and there to grab a few bites.  I love the look on her face as she watches both morons during one of their short breaks.  I'm hoping things have settled down by the time I head out for the last barn check in a few minutes.  

Boys...


11 comments:

Far Side of Fifty said...

It is like a Sheep Soap Opera:) I love it! :) Bitterly cold here, I suppose it will head your way...it sounds like another Arctic Blast is headed this was this weekend ...so maybe everyone there needs a coat:)

thecrazysheeplady said...

We have several single digits headed our way and a ZERO :-o. With a little shelter/wind break, sheep normally don't have any trouble with cold. The old skinnies though...

Benita said...

It's supposed to get down to -13 Monday night here. Great way to welcome in the New Year. One thing I can say about your place - it's never dull. Your sheep have the best personalities.

Have a wonderful New Year, and let's welcome 2018 as a better year than 2017 was.

thecrazysheeplady said...

I could stand for a couple days of dullness. And you can keep that -13! :-o

Cheryl West said...

Goodness, what drama ! I would not have guessed that putting a coat on a sheep would cause such anxiety in the others. All your best plans and they seem ungrateful.
You can but sigh.
I hope that at least your sunshine continues and that milder days return soon for all.

knitski said...

Busy days and busy sheep and cold weather make for a lot of busy work! I liked the sheep's coat though and thought that was good problem solving on your part! Never a dull moment with that many feet in one's world.

Terry and Linda said...

I love your little farm and all those darling 'kids'! Although, it can be a tussel to keep everyone healthy and happy you are right on top of everything so they stay warm and happy. Just love it.

As for Renny, my wonderful Renny....she is a huge delight!

Lori Skoog said...

These frigid temperatures are nasty and will be sticking around tooooo long form me and my critters. I'm sure you will continue to do everything possible to keep those babies comfortable! Happy New Year to you and SAint Tim!

Grey Horse Matters said...

They sure keep you hopping! Love the interactions with all of them. It is like watching a soap opera. Hope you get warmer temps soon. We are also in single digits and below zeros for as long as I can see into next Friday. Trying to keep everyone warm and watered here too. Happy New Year to all at your place!

sophy0075 said...

We are perishing at 30-odd degrees, here in Savannahy'all, so it's all relative.

Who would have thought Muffin would turn into a juvenile delinquent? I'm sure Mrs Pepperpot did all she could to raise that child right!

Maybe Annabelly likes to be near Baaxter because he serves as a big, woolly windbreak?

thecrazysheeplady said...

Muffin is large and in charge out there! Quite the character.

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