Farm Fresh Blog

After everything this ewe has been through, it's hard not get sentimental about her, and in turn, it's hard not to get sentimental about her babies.  Because they belong to Roanie, we decided to keep them as wethers and use them to work the dogs. They have been christened "Macaroni" and "Ricearoni" since their mother is "Roanie."

Not only did Roanie survive the dog attack, she gained the use of her leg again. She was Briar's friend in a pasture of sheep, who at best, ignored the puppy. And now, Roanie has twins.  Today was their first day out with the rest of the flock and Roanie had definite hesitations about taking them out of the barn.

After a few false starts, where she teased them with glimpses of The Great Outdoors, only to return them to the sheep pen, she finally took a breath and headed through the alley to the Lamb Paddock.

They had to pass goats . . .  and . . .

. . . navigate the giant mud puddle.

Once in the Lamb Paddock, although it was mild and sunny, there were still large patches of standing water.  Poor Ricearoni hesitated as his mother and brother plowed across one.

  "MOM!  Come back!"

His cry called some of the other lambs, who hustled over to check out the new kid on the block.

But Roanie (with Macaroni in tow) splashed back through the water and informed the older lambs to "Get away from my baby!"

 One little guy took repeated head butts before he got the message.  (He's not the brightest crayon in the box.)

But eventually, they shuffled along their way.

Not only is she a survivor, Roanie is a very attentive mother.  I wish we had a dozen more ewes like this mis-matched little sheep.  

To read the story of Briar & Roanie, click: Blood Will Tell ,  Miss Hardy , Farm Drama