This little guy is a pigeon fledgling. He must have fallen down through the hay chute from the haymow. I could not get close enough to catch him and take him back upstairs to his parents. He did join the chickens in pecking and scratching food the lambs had dropped. He can’t quite fly, yet. Just short, little flapping hops. If Tiggy doesn’t get him I will see if I can catch him tomorrow and put him back where he belongs.
Levi decided to nip some of the thistles in the barnyard. After cutting several down, he got the brilliant idea to feed them to the sheep. He insisted I cut them up and add them to the sheep’s feed tubs. THAT was a lot of fun! My sister had heard or read somewhere that lambs can be trained to eat thistles and nettles, so I figured I might as well give it a try. What she doesn’t know is how the heck I’m supposed to cut them up without getting pricked or stung. So, thistles were included in the sheep’s supper tonight and the lambs got thistles and nettles. Yeah, these items were NOT a big hit. They sheep ate around them. But, I think I will continue to add small amounts of thistles and nettles to the lamb food. Might even try some wild parsnip on them. It would be so awesome if they really can be trained to eat these plants. Our pastures could be a lot nicer in future years if these weeds weren’t left to grow and go to seed.
We feed the lambs in a creep, a pen with an opening big enough for the lambs to get in and out, but too small for the adults to get in. That was the lambs can eat whenever they want. It helps them grow better. If you look at the first photo you will see there is an open window at the end of the creep. They window lets in sunlight, fresh air, …and chipmunks. They come in and clean up what the lambs drop on the floor. And “CHIP!” at me all the time. Look how full the guy on the end has stuffed his cheeks! Come on Casey and Tiggy, time to thin the “herd” some more.
There is an old culvert under the sheep’s favorite shade tree. The lambs like to play in it while their mamas are chilling out.
Farmer Keen 