I got the sheep and the goats separated. It was a miracle! No, REALLY.
I got to thinking about a couple problems. One, I can’t have the goats regularly in the field in front of the barn. They assail the gate, climb the steps to the hay loft, barge into the alleyway in the barn. AND MORE. You can hardly get in and out of the field because all seven of them are hanging on the gate the instant they see your approach. So, I put the goats (and sheep) back in the regular goat yard for the time being, planning to only allow them back into the field in front of the barn ON THEIR WAY to the barn in the case of a big snowstorm.
Separating the sheep and goats is kind of a problem. It means holding BACK goats while taking OUT sheep. Yeah. Right. I need ten people for that. I put them together when we got here because I only had one field ready for them. Then I fenced in the field in front of the barn and had two fields, but–
Anyway, the other problem is that sheep and goats really don’t go together. Oh, sure, they get along. But sheep can’t have copper, so they can only have a salt block, while goats NEED copper and need a mineral block. This means salt block for everyone, no copper for the goats. Not the best situation, but I don’t want to kill the sheep.
Then I had a DUH brainstorm and thought, I should get the SHEEP in the field in front of the barn. The sheep don’t clamor at the gate. They wouldn’t be a problem in there. That’s just the goats. BUT. That means separating the sheep and goats. Only Morgan was spending the night with a friend, so I thought, I’ll wait till Morgan gets home and we’ll PRETEND we’re ten people and have a go at it.
Meanwhile, the goats and sheep managed to knock over their water bucket, so I tossed them some hay and opened the gate to their field to turn over the bucket. The goats went at the hay like there was no tomorrow and the sheep started running toward me.
What? What? Sheep usually run AWAY from people. I stepped aside, and whoosh, the sheep ran right through the gate, into the field in front of the barn. I shut the gate, goats safely on the other side, heads in the hay.
I couldn’t have planned that if you’d given me a million years and ten THOUSAND people.
Sometimes this farmering thing is so easy.
OHMYGOD. I’M GOING TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
brookdale says:
Casper and Coco are laughing at you like it was THEIR idea! A New Year’s miracle!
On January 1, 2012 at 7:26 pm
yvonnem says:
After all you have been through with the hard work at Stringtown, you deserve some easy farmering! :snoopy:
Happy New Year! :happyflower:
On January 1, 2012 at 8:21 pm
CATRAY44 says:
Awesome!
On January 1, 2012 at 8:24 pm
outbackfarm says:
That happens to me sometimes too. It’s like, wow, that will never ever happen again. Now when I plan on something going a certain way, then it does not. But when things just fall into place, I really do think it’s a miracle and God just helped me. No other explanation. Especially with sheep, because they do have a mind of their own for sure and usually only do what they want to do.
I am so glad it all worked out for you. I just love your farm. And so enjoy all your stories and look forward to more.
On January 1, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Cheryl LeMay says:
WOW! What luck. Maybe you should buy a lottery ticket.
On January 1, 2012 at 9:00 pm
twiggityNDgoats says:
Bravo! Great solution. Some things are just meant to work out.
On January 1, 2012 at 9:13 pm
MMHoney says:
Has anyone thought of the possibility that BP doesn’t want to be a mama any more. It could happen!!!!!! Don’t get into this bull thing until you know what your needs. I have always thought BP was keeping a secret and she was older or had a rough childhood. Just my observation,
On January 1, 2012 at 9:19 pm
jmac says:
If I were on Facebook, or texting, I would say ROTFL or LOL!!! Since I’m not, I will just say LOL and ROTFL!!!!
On January 1, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Leah's Mom says:
I second the lottery ticket idea. :clover:
On January 1, 2012 at 11:59 pm
Sheila Z says:
Apparently the sheep had a New Year’s resolution… get the hell away from those goats!
On January 2, 2012 at 1:30 am
native daughter says:
You been praying lately haven’t ya! :hug:
On January 2, 2012 at 5:04 am
Glenda says:
Farmers need a few days like that to make up for the other times!
What a great way to start the new year at Sassafras Farm.
On January 2, 2012 at 5:34 am
shirley T says:
So good to see things working out for ya. :sheepjump:
On January 2, 2012 at 7:27 am
Miss Judy says:
Sometimes good things just happen! 2012 is looking good.
On January 2, 2012 at 7:44 am
steakandeggs says:
LOL!!! I know that feeling. It makes up for all those bad times when things are going wrong. Great way to start out the new year.
On January 2, 2012 at 8:35 am
Old Geezer says:
An event of truly biblical import (see Matthew 25:31–46), assuming that the sheep ended up on the right and the goats on the left. Of course, depending on where you stand to look, that will always be the case.
On January 2, 2012 at 9:03 am
MousE says:
That’s pretty funny! Yes indeed you should buy a lottery ticket. Heh.
:snoopy:
On January 2, 2012 at 11:41 am
Barbee says:
That’s hilarious! Now how many sheep are we talking about? I’ve lost count, is it two or four? I thought you were down to two, but I think I see four in the photo. You mentioned there are seven goats. Love the photo.
On January 2, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Flowerpower says:
Go figure animals! They will fool you every time! Congratulations
Suzanne!
On January 2, 2012 at 2:04 pm
FujiQ says:
Don’t be so disappointed. If you chase them around a bit, you’ll feel better.
On January 2, 2012 at 2:24 pm