The new shetland ewes are settling in nicely. I had worried about there being bullying, what with having a mix of big and little sheep, but after a few days the Shetlands stopped chasing the big ones ! They seem to have settled into three distinct groups within the flock; the Devon closewools, the Shetlands and Betty, the black and white ewe of little brain.(and that’s saying something for a sheep).
The Shetland ewes are more flighty – not helped by all the changes they have been facing recently – new people, new land, new flock – after shearing they were very springy – all the sheep are bouncy after being sheared, not surprising, carrying that heavy weight of wool around, more so when it was soaked in the rain must have been a drag, but the Shetlands can really leap.I think they might be part gazelle… but they are food orientated, easily tempted by a bucket, they are getting comfortable with us, and we do still love them. Besides.. look at that cute face!
And we have the wool to fondle now, and it is super super soft.
During the torrential rain of the last few weeks (in the May heat this now seems funny), they were not in the field shelter with the other southern softies, but out in the middle of the field practically saying ‘call this rain?’. And they seem keen to eat thistles, brambles etc – could be a good thing.
We have had to do some re-fencing, as we keep finding a ewe in the hedge between our fields, not only eating the wildflowers and trampling on everything, but baaing loudly and complaining she is stuck – only to be found back again after we put her back in the field, and patch the fence, – but it is Betty causing us the grief!
With gorgeous eyelashes too!
How Beautiful!