So, apparently, the sheep are having the time of their lives right now! The lambs have been weened, and it's too early for breeding season, so the sheep are basically on vacation. Sounds like they are out in the pasture, just hanging out, grazing, and lazing about. The lambs, on the other hand, need lots of attention. They are susceptible to worms and parasites, so Caroline Owens is keeping a close eye on them and deworming as needed. The pigs and chickens are multiplying as well (one mother pig had 11 piglets!), and the garden is full of blackberries, cucumbers, beans, and herbs.
One question that Caroline anticipated in her update letter is "don't the sheep get hot in their wool and blankets at this time of year?" But, interestingly, their wool protects them from extreme heat as well as extreme cold. The thick fleece has insulating properties, so a sheep with an inch of fleece is more comfortable than one with less wool. Summertime shearing is actually bad for the sheep because adequate wool growth not only keeps them cool in the summer, it prevents sunburn! By the winter, their coats will be full and warm. Glad to know that Princess is having a great summer!
No comments:
Post a Comment