Somebody Had a Bad Day | Chickens in the Road

Feb
27

I’d tell you about the sheep shearing, but I really am too stupid to be a farmer so I spent a good bit of time yesterday chasing sheep around the yard trying to catch them. Did you know sheep don’t come when called? In fact, THEY RUN AWAY. What. An. Experience.

To be continued…tomorrow. When I’m done getting over it. (Sorry!)

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38 Responses
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2-27
3:25
am

Oh but they give you such beautiful wool!!

It’s ok, Suzanne, that’s what we’re here for!! Here’s to a better day !! :wineglasses clinking:

CindyP

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2-27
5:20
am

I understand catching sheep, we had mouflon and when worming time came it was a hoot. Why they would jump over my head to get out of the way of being caught. We did the hair sheep to keep from shearing. I know you’re having fun!

Jill

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2-27
5:39
am

You should teach CoCo to hear the sheep back into a small pen. So what are you going to do with all that wool? It looks like they have lots of lot of wool on them sheep.

Diane

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2-27
6:17
am

Well, farm chores are a great physical fitness program aren’t they?
Did anyone by chance video tape the round-up? LOL!!! I’M LAUGHING WITH YOU, NOT AT YOU! I have to worm goats today…then gather up energy and courage to trim hooves! Have a glass of wine for me!
Can’t wait to see pics of all the sheep with their new haircuts.

Gail

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2-27
6:18
am

Sorry you had a BAAAA-D day!

ulli

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2-27
6:22
am

Ulli – funny!!! Hope the sheep won’t be cold now!

trish

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2-27
6:52
am

Do NOT say that!! Just because some said that does not make it true! It’s a learning process. Just like everything in life.

Yes, this is an over used phrase but it holds true..”What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. OR as my husbands Grandmother has said “If it doesn’t kill me, it better run d@mn fast!”

You are an inspiration lady!

epon4

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2-27
6:55
am

hmmmm…that was supposed to read “just because some…insert descriptive, derogatory name here…said that does not make it true.”

Guess I can’t use the little carrot symbols. (isn’t that what they are called? I think that’s what my computer teacher called them back in the early 80s)

epon4

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2-27
6:59
am

he he he he he he…

(said the lady with 24 sheep to shear. And trim feet on) But I won’t think about that today….

Nancy K.

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2-27
7:03
am

Bait them with cookies next time!! Don’t they look naked without their wool?!?

monica

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2-27
7:21
am

They aren’t trained to come to cookies yet???? Can’t wait to hear “the rest of the story.” And about the disposition of all that wool!

Suzette

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2-27
7:42
am

You are doing just fine. Can’t wait to hear about it all. Just think we have the internet to learn so much stuff new farmers years ago had to learn everything on their own or by word of mouth.

Linda

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2-27
7:51
am

I can’t wait to hear all about this adventure! Have you ever considered getting alpacas for their fleece!? I have studied and read up on them for a couple years but there’s no way I can afford them! Check into that…I’m sure they would be a FABULOUS addition to your ever growing farm! Alpacas have been called “the perfect livestock”.
Anyway, about sheep…are they as “dumb” as people claim? I’m not calling YOURS dumb but I’m curious. Hence the reason I’ve always had goats…and not to mention, I’ve never known what to do with the wool. Waiting for a blog about the wool…

feathrencox

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2-27
7:52
am

You just taught me that I’m sheep-shearing stupid.

Sheep are such sweet animals…I thought one would just say, “let’s cuddle and I’ll even do your hair.”

Not in the real world, eh?

Kris7
Working hard at http://www.sccworlds.com

Kris7

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2-27
8:29
am

Do I sense a trained border collie (or other herding dog)in your future?

Annie

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2-27
8:34
am

I hope you’re taking a well-deserved rest. Who knew sheep could be that difficult!

TSannie/annbb

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2-27
8:37
am

Suzanne,
This event adds to those that MAKE you a farmer, not define you as a stupid one. Farming is not easy and it is a life long experience. The rewards outweigh the sorrows (most times). I grew up on a Guernsey Dairy Farm and worked in a handful of Ag. related jobs just ’cause I needed to work. I was a Milk tester, a Farm Hand/milker/calf wrangler, a Seed test processor , and an Ostrich Ranch hand). Can’t say I miss them, but I can say they gave me “some kind” of experiences and I still consider myself a farmer thats still learning.

Esther

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2-27
8:53
am

It took me awhile to ‘think like a sheep’, but the more you can contain the situation the better. This is why I spend days plotting how I’m going to trick 22 sheep into their respective shelters the night before the shearer gets here! They love grain, but the Shetlands are highly alert to any unusual activity, so I have to act like NOTHING is going on… It’ll get easier, once you figure out how to work with them. (Hint—small catch pen, and feed them only in that area;-)
Tammy

Tammy

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2-27
9:28
am

Wow. And I thought it was hard arm wrestling my cat to get flea medicine on the back of her head! And I won’t even attempt to cut her nails – and here you folks are out chasing down, er, herding giant fluffy things for major make-overs!!!

I’m still asking – has Clover called home yet?

Nancy in Atlanta

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2-27
9:29
am

Oh, jeez.

Hope tomorrow is better!

Amy

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2-27
9:45
am

I have two angora goats that I transport twice a year to my friend, the goat lady, and have them sheared while she is having her hundreds sheared! Its always entertaining.. I actually bought the shears and when I realized that not only did I not know what I was doing but I might just actually injure my pets I sent them back..They are expensive!!

Mel

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2-27
10:14
am

Can’t wait for the next installment..

SuzieQ

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2-27
10:40
am

It sounds like you are going to have to learn how bribe them.

Susan

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2-27
10:45
am

Ummm…..train them to a bucket! You shake the bucket, and they’ll come running!
I hope you trimmed those feet too!!!!! If you didn’t do it then, you better get it done pretty quick – before you start having feet troubles.

Gizmo

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2-27
11:07
am

What a beautiful and delicious looking blog. I commend you for having sheep – which means having wool – but I happen to know they do have minds of their own. And the border collie we had for a while knew his own mind too.

commonweeder

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2-27
12:18
pm

Wow. That looks to be an exciting story…

Robin G.

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2-27
12:40
pm

‘Nuff said! Hahaha!

Blessings from Ohio…

Kim W

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2-27
12:50
pm

Train them to come to the grain bucket. You can lead them anywhere once they understand the bucket. But they do hate being catched.

Christy O

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2-27
1:33
pm

Maybe you can make a deal with dooce (Heather Armstrong) and get her mini aussie over in WV for awhile. The mini aussie (also called Coco) is a bit hyper active as it has nothing to herd except another dog. Too bad she’s in Utah… too far to borrow a dog from. I wish you and Coco and the gang good luck. I was told by a farmer that sheep are stupid… I hope yours are above average!

Jodie

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2-27
1:35
pm

Ah, next year you’ll bring ‘em in with cookies and CoCo! Who can resist cookies and cocoa?

Katharina

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2-27
1:47
pm

Ulli to funny.
Oh! I can’t wait to hear the rest of the story, and see the pics
anni
in Toronto

anni

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2-27
2:23
pm

I used to help my grandfather during sheep shearing time. Actually, I now realize that they let the small sheep loose so my sister and I would chase after them and stay out of the way!
Thanks for the great memory.

Susan Wilkinson Lopez

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2-27
2:29
pm

Been there, done that! My FIL had about 50 sheep. They were a real pain to corral so they could be sheared and doctored.

Estella

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2-27
4:09
pm

Can’t wait to hear THAT story. *G*

Brandy

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2-27
4:55
pm

Well, you know the problem don’t you? You haven’t had them long enough to get them cookie trained.

Barbee'

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2-27
6:00
pm

Suzanne, you are NOT a stupid farmer. You are a very brave, smart, funny, warm, woman who is learning to farm.One day you’ll be a pro.
We love you.

shirley

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2-27
6:33
pm

lol can’t wait and at least Annabelle will be spared!

catslady

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2-28
8:57
am

Now you know why the popularity of hair sheep is getting stronger!! Did you know that it has been said that the Jacob’s sheep goes back to the bible in Genesis 30??

Jill

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