For our sheep, "out to pasture" means off hay, out of the winter/sacrifice pen that gets so over-grazed it's practically just mud and out on grass. I don't lock up my sheep, they have a little shed and a covered space to keep them out of the weather, but they aren't shut inside all winter.
What worms are you treating for? If you got a fecal float and you know what you're trying to knock down, different meds work better than others, and if you're just doing a broad-spectrum de-wormer, you'll want to switch every other year or so to assure that the worms don't become resistant to your favorite go-to med.
I wouldn't have locked up sheep in a barn all winter, nor would I leave them without shelter - so no I don't think you did anything wrong. Everyone with dedicated 'winter pens' knows how disgusting they get in a winter season. It's just the nature of the rotational grazing's sacrifice pen.
All animals (including humans) have what's called an "acceptable parasite load" meaning we always have parasites in/on us. They only become a problem when we are immunocompromised (often caused by stress or other illness) and the parasites become over populated. That's the only time the parasites need to be dealt with. If you are just de-worming blind, I'd run some fecals through the Vet and see what all you actually need to be treating for, if anything
That's exactly how they're acting. I noticed last night as I was shutting things up that they *could* act normal but then would revert to the twitchiness if I got too close. I guess I just don't know what's triggered the behavior, the medicine or the heat or both... I didn't notice any flies but that doesn't mean they weren't there. It got suddenly hot here, was snowing last week. Now it's sunny and 80. Bugs are coming out. Who knows. I'm going to keep an eye on them. They were acting normal this morning, so far.
Quote: RoyalTMaybe I should look into getting a spinning wheel... there's a man right across the creek from me who repairs them, maybe he'd know of someone selling...Thanks! I have an antique spinning wheel that I learned to spin on. A couple of years ago my MIL overheard me saying that I wanted to learn to spin but didn't have the money to buy a wheel only to find out I couldn't do it or didn't like doing it. She took me out to the barn and showed me a spinning wheel that used to be a conversation piece in her FIL's living room. All the pieces were there so she gave it to me and I cleaned it up, replaced the worn out leather, found some wool and taught myself how (with some help from youtube). I've been a spinning fool ever since.
ETA: I have a drop spindle too but like you, I'm not too good at it.
I'm also interested in hearing about the shears. My small hand shears were crap at shearing quickly. The poor sheep.
Hey there's a good system! I'd love to hear your feedback on the training
That's exactly how they're acting. I noticed last night as I was shutting things up that they *could* act normal but then would revert to the twitchiness if I got too close. I guess I just don't know what's triggered the behavior, the medicine or the heat or both... I didn't notice any flies but that doesn't mean they weren't there. It got suddenly hot here, was snowing last week. Now it's sunny and 80. Bugs are coming out. Who knows. I'm going to keep an eye on them. They were acting normal this morning, so far.
Thanks! I have an antique spinning wheel that I learned to spin on. A couple of years ago my MIL overheard me saying that I wanted to learn to spin but didn't have the money to buy a wheel only to find out I couldn't do it or didn't like doing it. She took me out to the barn and showed me a spinning wheel that used to be a conversation piece in her FIL's living room. All the pieces were there so she gave it to me and I cleaned it up, replaced the worn out leather, found some wool and taught myself how (with some help from youtube). I've been a spinning fool ever since.
ETA: I have a drop spindle too but like you, I'm not too good at it.
I'm also interested in hearing about the shears. My small hand shears were crap at shearing quickly. The poor sheep.
Maybe I should look into getting a spinning wheel... there's a man right across the creek from me who repairs them, maybe he'd know of someone selling...
Hey there's a good system! I'd love to hear your feedback on the training
