I used to run about three thousand head of sheep on a farm in MO. Lambing was a 45 day continuous nightmare that was 24/7. I had to sleep in the barns with the sheep most nights. On a 'good' night you could have 30 ewes lamb in one hr. Hard to imagine unless you've actually done it.
My mother-in-law used to come help with the kids....stay the whole time.....bless her heart. One yr she was pulling a wagon down to the main barn full of bottles for the bummer lambs. I decided to slime and skin graft after that and it ended that problem forever.
Even yrs later after I got out of sheep, I couldn't sleep during that period of the year and sleepwalked trying to get to the barns.....lol. I reckon it took all of a decade to sleep normally again.
Kevin
Truth be told ..Yeah, I am perhaps not that hands on, only time our cows see a barn- it is to be milked twice a day and they calve in the paddock (fields for you lot). There is the odd one, or a few R2 heifers that need a bit of a hand with rope assist calving- but generally they know what they are doing. 500 odd head are AI and the R2 replacements are to the Bull mated- so depending on heat cycles, some weeks are more hectic than others.
I hear what you are saying though about it being a busy time of the year- you never sleep well because you have a million and one things on your mind and never sleep easy because your brain does not rest- you spend the day dog tired and the night restless- all because you genuinely care about your stock.
Thankfully my herd is much smaller. 8 Hereford right now. Calving is more exciting than stressful for me. View attachment 634 View attachment 635 View attachment 636 View attachment 637 View attachment 638
Beautiful stock
Hereford?
I rememember Watching the movie with jimmy stewart . About the herefordYup polled Hereford. Very curious breed. Was out burning brush and one by one they joined me at the fire. Hung out till it was out
The Rare Breed ...Brian keith , Maureen o'haraI rememember Watching the movie with jimmy stewart . About the hereford
Named vindicator brought over from England the old country....
The will make great mousers. Give em a little love and a warm spot.Im raising two orphaned kittens
Mom. Cat did not want them .