Lambs

The lambs at Elster Ranch are looking good.  They are being moved onto fresh feed every 24-36 hours, which keeps consumption (and weight gain) high.  The de-worming seems to be taking effect - they have more solid manure.

We'll weight them again in a week or two!  I'll keep you posted!

Lamb Update

Thanks to Ben, Josh and Gabe (and their Mom and Grandpa!), Lara, Roger, Tristan, Keaton, Keira and Cassie (and their folks Paul and Trina), Courtney and Josie, Zach, and Matthew Shapiro and the Living Lands interns for all of the help yesterday!  We were able to shear 16 more lambs (before the sheep shearer got too hot), and we vaccinated and weighed all of the lambs.  We also put everyone (ovine) through the footbath.  A busy day, to say the least!

Here's an update on everyone's lambs:

Ear Tag   Owner   Weaning Weight   7/19 Weight
90           Josh              66                      73
96           Gabe             62                      63
960         Matt              65                      68
965         Lara              36                      41 (wether)
967         Lara              44                      46 (ewe)
995         Keira             54                      57
997         Callie             65                      64 (ewe - after shearing)
1007       Keaton          56                      65
1010       Ben               79                      83
1012       Cassie           53                      63
1035       Gabe             64                      67
1046       Tristan           60                      67

Since different people operated the scale, the weights are not entirely accurate.  Low weight gains may be attributable to coccidia or other parasites (which we've treated) or to scale operator error.  Overall, the lambs all look great.  We should see some significant weight gains next time.

Hopefully, others who took photos will post them (if we can figure out how other authors can post entries!).  Thanks again!

Moving the Lambs

We've been moving the lambs onto fresh forage every 24 hours or so.  Today, Lara and I (with Mo's help) moved them onto very lush pasture with lots of Ladino and rose clover.  Lara agreed that they look like they're gaining weight!  We'll know for sure on Tuesday.

Irrigated Pasture Workshop

Check out this link: http://ucanr.org/sites/placernevadasmallfarms/?calitem=138084&g=22527

Work Day - July 19

Our next scheduled work day will be on July 19, 2011.  We'll try to complete the following tasks:

1. Shear 30-40 more lambs
2. Booster vaccinations for all the lambs
3. Check and trim feet
4. De-worm all the lambs
5. Weigh all the lambs
6. Put all lambs through the footbath
7. Move lambs to fresh pasture

Everyone is welcome to help for as long (or as short) as they can!

Welcome!

This blog has been set up for the participants in Flying Mule Farm's grass-fed lamb project.  I hope everyone will post observations, questions, photos, etc.!