Updated on 10/05/05
The sheep are doing great. The are all carrying enough weight for the breeding season. I saw Krios mark Sephie on 8/17, Mandy on 9/01, and Molly on 9/23. I haven't seen Krios mark Tabitha but we were gone to the fair for a week, one week after he was placed with the ewes, and could have easily marked her then.
Updated 8/05/05
The ram lamb, Krios, was born in December and is a Hampshire/Suffolk cross. Krios and the four ewes are located where we can see them out of our front window.
I had a successful fair this year. Chester weighed in at 135 lbs. and placed third in his class. Utah weighed in at 145 lbs. and placed fifth in his class. I received two purple ribbons (marketable plus) and was able to sell them both at auction. Our fair pays up to 140 lbs. maximum weight.
This year I sent out buyer letters and received more than one bid on both of my lambs. I would like to publicly thank the buyers that purchased my lambs this year.
THANK YOU to Loren Beebe of The Beebe Group for purchasing Chester, my own bred and raised lamb.
THANK YOU to Donald Wright of Wright Tax Service & Rich Gold & Family for purchasing Utah.
I know that there are several Jr. Livestock exhibitors at the fair and I am grateful that you chose to support me.
Updated 7/18/05
We picked up the ram lamb on Saturday, 7/16. I have started breeding for the 2005/2006 season. I put Krios in with the ewes the day we picked him up.
3 Family Farms sent me another scrapies tag for Utah. I will put both Chester and Utah's tags in their ears before we leave for fair on Tuesday.
New pictures of Molly, Mandy, Sephie, and Krios have been added.
Updated 7/08/05
I am excited to say that we purchased a ram lamb today from Marilyn of Alpine Show Lambs in Stockton. We will be picking him up next weekend, 7/17. We found him by contacting the breeder that was listed on the breeders list of www.mylamb.com.
I told my mom that I wasn't going to "just settle" for a lamb because I needed one. I wanted to make sure that he was of good quality so that I can have nice show lambs in the future. I think he is very nice and I will be posting his photo as well as current photos of my sheared ewes soon.
Updated 6/17/05
Thank you to Karin Fish, of Fish Club Lambs, who told me about a sheep website called mylamb.com. I highly recommend this site because there is a message board to browse and if you have any questions you can ask them and they will be answered.
I am still looking for a nice ram to replace Barron. I am expecting a call from a breeder within the next couple of days. She has a ram that she isn't sure if she is selling. She wants to look at him after he is sheared to see if she is going to keep him or if he is for sale.
I am getting my lambs ready for fair. The 2005 Amador County Fair is scheduled for 7/28 through 7/31. Chester and Utah are doing great. They are gaining weight and filling out. They both lost their scrapies tags. I found Chester's but haven't looked for Utah's.
Updated 5/31/05
My ram, Barron, died on 5/14, of unknown causes. In order to have lambs ready for me and my brother to take to our 2006 Amador County Fair, I need to breed in July/August. I need to find a ram soon.
My mom contacted several breeders trying to locate a ram for me. She received several replies informing us about a Sheep Show & Sale at the Nugget in Reno on 5/27, 5/28, & 5/29. Since I was unable to attend the show/auction, I am still looking for a ram.
THANK YOU to all of you sheep breeders for your prompt response in getting back to my mom. I appreciate all the information, kind words and generous offers.
My clippers are being sharpened and when I receive them I will shear Molly & Mandy. I will take pictures of them as soon as they are sheared. I took pictures of Tabitha a couple of weeks ago when I sheared her. I will update my sheep photo gallery soon.
Updated 5/02/05
I weighed Chester and he weighed 82 lbs. at 81 days old. I then bathed and sheared him. He looks nice.
On 4/26, I went to 3 Family Farms in Knightsen and bought a 3 year old ewe and a market lamb. The ewe I bought is named Sephie. She will be a nice addition to my small flock.
3 Family Farms had a nice assortment of lambs to choose from and it took me awhile to narrow down the one I wanted. I ended up getting a wether lamb that they called Utah. I will give a description and take pictures after I slick shear him.
Updated 3/19/05
I will be taking the ram (wether) lamb to fair this year. Chester is gaining weight nicely. He weighed 47 1/2 lbs. at 35 days old. Since I was unable to get Molly bred, I need to go out and buy another lamb to take to fair.
Updated 2/18/05
Mandy had one ram lamb on 2/03. He looks real nice with a long loin and straight back. I'm not sure if Molly was bred.