Jacob ram lambs can be fertile at a very young age. I try to have them weaned by 3 months, but some of them are now 4 months old and still with their moms. Weaning them has been on my list of things that need to get done, but the weather has been so wet that I haven’t been very motivated. The sun is now shining and there is grass growing EVERYWHERE, so moving the boys finally made it to the top of the ‘to do’ list.
I gathered my helpers…
Kate, the best helper anyone could ask for and
Dreamer, the next best helper for moving reluctant lambs where I want them to go.
I sorted the ram lambs off and moved them out of the barn. The plan was to move them to a pasture that needs to be grazed. Dreamer was happy to follow me and Kate was happy to follow, giving a push when it was needed.
Unfortunately, the ram lambs weren’t sure about leaving their moms and sisters in the barn. Kate wasn’t giving them an option though.
Little by little we headed in the right direction. When the lambs stopped, Dreamer would stop and look at them and I swear I saw him roll his eyes once or twice.
A few of them tested Kate, but pretty soon they figured out that following Dreamer and moving forward was a good idea.
Pretty soon, they were settled in the new pasture.
Merlin, Lancelot, and Tristan
Kate really doesn’t like water and it took me a long time to teach her that getting in the stock tank really was ok, now she happily runs over and cools off after working.
and she tells me that nothing feels better than rolling around in the grass after a nice soak 😉
Moving the yearling boys also needed to be done because they were starting to drown in grass!
Now that is better, I can see their legs…kind of 😉
The ewes are now in the pasture they were in and I’m hoping they can get a handle on the grass. Thanks to all of the rain we have had, mowing isn’t going to be an option for a long time!
Stories from the Farm 
The little boys are looking gorgous!!!
Thanks Penny. I am really pleased with how they have matured.
What a great post, so much to like. Hard working Border Collie, lush green pasture grass, and handsome ram lambs, what more could one ask for?
Thanks Chai Chai! It is so nice to see the sun again 🙂
I can’t believe how big they are already! And look at those horns! You are lucky to have a dog that knows what to do. Did you train her yourself? I love the ram in the last pic, just gorgeous!
It always amazes me how fast they grow! I am very lucky to have Kate. She is an amazing dog with a lot of natural talent. I did most of the training myself. The ram in the last picture is Ringo, he came from Kentucky last year. I LOVE how he is maturing.
Wow – Ringo is looking amazing, Shannon!
Yes he is! I still need to have him and Durham sheared but it hasn’t been dry for a LONG time 🙂
Kate ROCKS!!!! Moving fresh weaner lambs is one of the hardest things our dogs can do…..and look at her….she was fabulous! Atta GIRL!
I just love Ringo’s and Lancelot’s horns and the shape of Merlin’s head, very nice boys.
Shannon, I really admire the way you get the work done AND catch the action with your camera at the same time! Your stories are always interesting and instructive. When we get our new place (soon!) I’ll probably be reviewing yours and Robin’s posts to see how the pros move their sheep around!