Our breeding pens were put together on November 7th, 2010. This means that our first due date for spring lambs will be March 31st, 2011. Just 5 months 'til we get to see those darling, bouncy lambies again! I usually begin my "lamb watch" barn checks about 5 days before the first due date. There are a total of 4 pens, with 23 ewes being bred. I will have a few bred ewes available for sale in January, and they can be reserved now if there are any that you may be interested in. I am also accepting reservations in advance for our spring lambs. If you see a breeding pair whose potential offspring may be of interest to you, please drop me an email.
Breeding Pen #1
Ram: TCE 331X "Jack Frost"
Ewes: Lindi, Merrylegs, Leela, Sateen, Scarlet, Weewa, Bella, Spotty, Greela, Shaunie, Jade
Breeding Pen #2
Ram: FRRR 321X "Triton"
Ewes: Ma, Terra, Pomona, Grace
Breeding Pen #3
Ram: FRRR 303X
Ewes: Sylvia, Lily, Minnie, Fauna
Breeding Pen #4
Ram: FRRR 323X "Faolan"
Ewes: Stella, Secret, Curly Sue, Lucy
November 11, 2010
November 4, 2010
Ear Tag Numbers For Our Sheep
Unlike my random naming system, my ear tag numbers do have some order and reason behind them. This is not the way you have to do it, just the way I decided would work best for us. You can make up whatever system works for your farm.
The first year that we had lambs (2008), the first lamb born was designated as FRRR 101U. The second lamb was 102U, the third was 103U, and I continue this way through the last lamb. The FRRR portion of the number is our flock prefix which is registered with the Canadian Livestock Records Company (CLRC), for the purpose of registering our sheep. The FRRR precedes all of our flock numbers.
The only numbers that I skip when assigning tag numbers, are numbers with 3 of the same digit, i.e. #111. The reason I do this is because I only have 2 of each number for my tattoo gun. If a ewe has twins with both a ram and ewe born, I always tag the ewe first (ladies first, you know!), and the ram with the next number.
In 2009, I started my numbers with 201W. In 2010, our numbers began with 301X, and in 2011, our numbers will begin with 401Y.
The letters that are in my tag numbers are designated by the CLRC. These letters are to be added to the animals tag number so that their year of birth can be easily identified. This unique alpha-numeric number is to be tattooed in the animals ear. Only registered animals need to be tattooed, or use this letter designation. The CLRC does not use letters that could be easily confused with other numbers or letters such as I, O, Q and V.
I will write a post at another time, about the actual "how to" aspect of tagging and tattooing.
Filed in:
ear tag numbers
Naming and Numbering Our Sheep
You may be wondering how we choose the names or ear tag numbers for our sheep. To be honest, there really is no rhyme or reason to how we choose their names. Sometimes my youngest children choose a name, and then we get names like, a spotted lamb named Spotty, or the daughter of Leela gets the name Weewa. :o) I admit that at first it was hard to let the children name some of the lambs. Some of the names would make me wince a bit, I'm afraid. But now I have come to love and appreciate their help with this special job. It is something that we all look forward to, and sometimes it gets a bit heated, as we banter back and forth about which sheep should be given which name, and why.
Sometimes names are chosen by the day they are born. Hence, our sheep Terra is given the Latin name for earth or land because her birth day landed on Earth Day that year. Lots of times they are named for characters in our favorite books, stories and movies. Our wonderful ram Tumnus, was named for one of our favorite characters in the C.S. Lewis book, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Sometimes I will use a certain letter of the alphabet for related families, such as Lindi, mother of Lily and Lucy. Or Greta, mother of Greela (another kid pick!), mother of Grace. Others are named for their physical characteristics... a black ewe named Shadow, a small ram named Burl (we thought it might boost his ego!), or an ultra white lamb named Snow White. Yes, no rhyme or reason at all, just whatever happens to strikes our fancy in the moment!
And for those of you that are wondering if we know them all by name, yes, all fifty something of them! Sometimes people will inquire on a specific sheep and use their ear tag number to identify them. Most of the time I won't know who they are talking about by number alone, and I have to go look it up in my record book or on my website!
We are always on the look out for unique, beautiful and interesting names for our flock, and we would love any suggestions you may have. Please post them in them comments below, and who knows, maybe one of our lambs will be named with one of your suggestions!
Sometimes names are chosen by the day they are born. Hence, our sheep Terra is given the Latin name for earth or land because her birth day landed on Earth Day that year. Lots of times they are named for characters in our favorite books, stories and movies. Our wonderful ram Tumnus, was named for one of our favorite characters in the C.S. Lewis book, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Sometimes I will use a certain letter of the alphabet for related families, such as Lindi, mother of Lily and Lucy. Or Greta, mother of Greela (another kid pick!), mother of Grace. Others are named for their physical characteristics... a black ewe named Shadow, a small ram named Burl (we thought it might boost his ego!), or an ultra white lamb named Snow White. Yes, no rhyme or reason at all, just whatever happens to strikes our fancy in the moment!
And for those of you that are wondering if we know them all by name, yes, all fifty something of them! Sometimes people will inquire on a specific sheep and use their ear tag number to identify them. Most of the time I won't know who they are talking about by number alone, and I have to go look it up in my record book or on my website!
We are always on the look out for unique, beautiful and interesting names for our flock, and we would love any suggestions you may have. Please post them in them comments below, and who knows, maybe one of our lambs will be named with one of your suggestions!
Filed in:
naming sheep
November 3, 2010
How To Reserve and Purchase Our Sheep
I have decided to write out a very clear procedure for purchasing our sheep, so that it is fair to all. If both parties understand what is expected, the whole process will be much more enjoyable and less stressful for both you, the buyer, and us, the sellers. And less stress is a good thing!
The sheep are offered on a first come, first serve basis. Once you decide which sheep you would like to purchase, please contact me with their names and/or tag numbers. Emailing me is probably the best way, as I am not able to answer our home phone much throughout the day. If you are trying to call me and not getting an answer, and someone else emails me with their choices, the other persons choices will come first.
After I verify your choices, I will mark your sheep as "pending deposit", on our website. You will need to send in a non-refundable deposit of $25 per sheep. If you should decide to choose a different sheep instead, the $25 deposit can be transferred, but not refunded. This deposit is applied to the total purchase price of your sheep. I must receive the deposit within 7 days, or the "pending deposit" status will be removed from your sheep, and someone else may put a deposit down on your choices. Sorry, but we simply don't have the time to spend on buyers that are not serious. It is also not my fault if something "comes up" in your life that prevents you from sending in your deposit.
After I receive your deposit, your sheep are marked as "sale pending". You then have 30 days (from the day we receive your deposit) to pick up your sheep. If you need to leave them on our farm longer than 30 days, you must pay boarding fees. The fees are $1 per day for the first sheep, and 50 cents per sheep for each additional sheep. So, if you were purchasing 3 sheep, and you needed to keep them on our farm for an additional 30 days, it would cost you $60 for a month of boarding. There are two exceptions to this. The first is if you are purchasing a bred ewe. The cost of board until the time of pick up in January, is included in the cost of the ewe. The second is lambs that are purchased before they are weaned. Lambs will need to be picked up in August and boarding rates would apply if you need to leave them on the farm beyond August.
We mark your sheep as "sold" once we have received payment for the entire balance of your sheep. You may send your payment before you come to pick them up, or you may bring it with you on the day of pick up. We will not allow any sheep to leave our farm without payment. You cannot tell me that it is in the mail, and expect me to let you take the sheep off of our farm. Please plan accordingly. We do accept Paypal, but we add 3.5% to your total, because this is what we are charged by Paypal for using this service. If you would like to pay through Paypal, please send me an email letting me know this, and I will send you an invoice. Down payments may be made with a cashiers check or Paypal. Payment of the remaining balance can be via Paypal, cashiers check or you may bring cash on the day of pick up. Please do not send cash through the mail, and please, no personal checks.
If you should find any of this unclear, please drop me an email. Thanks so much!
The sheep are offered on a first come, first serve basis. Once you decide which sheep you would like to purchase, please contact me with their names and/or tag numbers. Emailing me is probably the best way, as I am not able to answer our home phone much throughout the day. If you are trying to call me and not getting an answer, and someone else emails me with their choices, the other persons choices will come first.
After I verify your choices, I will mark your sheep as "pending deposit", on our website. You will need to send in a non-refundable deposit of $25 per sheep. If you should decide to choose a different sheep instead, the $25 deposit can be transferred, but not refunded. This deposit is applied to the total purchase price of your sheep. I must receive the deposit within 7 days, or the "pending deposit" status will be removed from your sheep, and someone else may put a deposit down on your choices. Sorry, but we simply don't have the time to spend on buyers that are not serious. It is also not my fault if something "comes up" in your life that prevents you from sending in your deposit.
After I receive your deposit, your sheep are marked as "sale pending". You then have 30 days (from the day we receive your deposit) to pick up your sheep. If you need to leave them on our farm longer than 30 days, you must pay boarding fees. The fees are $1 per day for the first sheep, and 50 cents per sheep for each additional sheep. So, if you were purchasing 3 sheep, and you needed to keep them on our farm for an additional 30 days, it would cost you $60 for a month of boarding. There are two exceptions to this. The first is if you are purchasing a bred ewe. The cost of board until the time of pick up in January, is included in the cost of the ewe. The second is lambs that are purchased before they are weaned. Lambs will need to be picked up in August and boarding rates would apply if you need to leave them on the farm beyond August.
We mark your sheep as "sold" once we have received payment for the entire balance of your sheep. You may send your payment before you come to pick them up, or you may bring it with you on the day of pick up. We will not allow any sheep to leave our farm without payment. You cannot tell me that it is in the mail, and expect me to let you take the sheep off of our farm. Please plan accordingly. We do accept Paypal, but we add 3.5% to your total, because this is what we are charged by Paypal for using this service. If you would like to pay through Paypal, please send me an email letting me know this, and I will send you an invoice. Down payments may be made with a cashiers check or Paypal. Payment of the remaining balance can be via Paypal, cashiers check or you may bring cash on the day of pick up. Please do not send cash through the mail, and please, no personal checks.
If you should find any of this unclear, please drop me an email. Thanks so much!
Filed in:
purchasing our sheep,
questions and answers
October 12, 2010
Directions & Contact Information
Contact information:
Roberta Fitzgerald
Red Roof Ranch
8161 NE 19th Avenue
Medford, MN 55049
Red Roof Ranch is located in southern Minnesota, just a few miles east of the city of Medford.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
Roberta Fitzgerald
Red Roof Ranch
8161 NE 19th Avenue
Medford, MN 55049
Red Roof Ranch is located in southern Minnesota, just a few miles east of the city of Medford.
View Larger Map
View Larger Map
March 24, 2010
Pasture for sheep and other livestock
My pastures are in terrible condition right now, and I am planning on implementing many techniques to improve them over the next several years. Here is a link to an article that I found to be very helpful and informative. I think most anyone with pasture could benefit in some way by reading this article.
I am always looking for great ideas on pasture improvement. If you have any great suggestions or know of any good articles, please post them in the comments.
http://www.sheepscreek.com/rural/pasture.html
I am always looking for great ideas on pasture improvement. If you have any great suggestions or know of any good articles, please post them in the comments.
http://www.sheepscreek.com/rural/pasture.html
Filed in:
pasture
March 14, 2010
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