This week at the farm, we had some curious visitors, and amidst their many questions, one really made me pause and think. While discussing the ewe from last week’s newsletter—the one that can count to three—Wendy asked, "Do you really know one ewe from the next?" Well, in that particular case, I knew who she was because she had just lambed and was still in a bonding pen with her lambs. Plus, I had painted a number on her back, so it was still legible.
But her question got me thinking: Which ewes do I really know, and why? So, let me introduce you to a few of the special sheep around here.
First, there's the friendly one. She doesn’t have a name per se, but she's the only one out of about 90 that enjoys a good head scratch whenever I'm near. This ewe must have been a bottle lamb and has never forgotten the bond with humans. Sheep aren't really the cuddle type, but it’s heartwarming to know they can show affection.
Next, we have "Jumpy," a new girl on the farm this year. She has a black face and stringy wool, marked with a big red X on her back. Why the X? Well, when she first arrived, she had zero respect for gates and containment, effortlessly bounding over everything. Every day, I’d find her roaming around the barn or barn yard, which might seem harmless, but there are rams around... and other mischief she could get into. One day, I painted an X on her back to mark her for shipping away, but somehow, she must’ve sensed I meant business because she never jumped out of a pen again. Now we get along fine, and I always know who she is.
Then there are the two brown-faced ewes. They’ve been here a while and are starting to show some grey. These girls have always been skittish, as sheep usually are, but in their senior years, they sometimes come say hi and allow a brief ear scratch. It's like they’ve come to know and trust me over time.
Now, about our rams. The first ram we ever got, we named Shawn the Sheep. He’s quite affectionate but only when safely on the other side of a gate from me—otherwise, his affections can become dangerously pushy! And lastly, there's our white ram, Pig Pen. When he arrived from another farm, he was absolutely covered in dirt and mud. Being white, he looked very dirty for many months. He isn’t friendly, but he's very identifiable, and so he kept his name.
And those are pretty much the sheep I know—the team I chat with as we cross paths. Well, I talk to all the sheep every day, but those are the few whose past adventures I recount from time to time, I suppose.
Each one of the sheep brings their own character to the farm, making every day a bit more interesting.
Until next time, I hope these stories bring a smile to your face as they do mine. Thank you for being a part of our farm's community and for all your support!
Your Farmer, Rod