Dyer’s Rants

Happy sheep grazing on Spring Pasture

Spring is in full swing here at Sweet Tree Hill Farm. This is always a busy time and this year is no exception. As the sheep are happily grazing on new Spring grass-I think back 3 years when we 1st moved in and was facing over grazed pastures-wondering if these would ever be fit for sheep-and I can say finally-they are. Many livestock owners often neglect to work on their pastures-but just like a healthy productive garden needs rich soil, so does healthy livestock need a thriving pasture with a good selection of not only grasses-but other plants too. The new ewes purchased over the winter (Missy and Gwyneth) have grown markedly and we are expecting lambs out of Rosie and Daisy Dot by month’s end. And just a note-I finally registered the flock and we now have a Shetland Flock #.

One of the Anatolian puppies we looked at lst weekend.

Something I have been researching over past months is the addition of a guard animal. Now that we have a growing flock of registered Shetlands, valued at $300 each and more-and the fact we do live in a very rural area-a guard animal is a looming prospect. I thought about all the possibilities…a donkey, llama, and the several breeds of guard dogs. The donkey and llamas would require special care and they were too large for small sheep. Without just the right choice-they were more likely to result in injured sheep. And the right animal would put quite a dent in the pocketbook. Looking at dogs and talking with breeders and users alike…I considered the Great Pyrenees and found they were the least effective of the breeds. The Maremmas, a good dog-but has its issues-can be rough with kids-although all guard animals need training and a firm hand. The Anatolian seemed the best all around farm dog-once it is introduced to even strangers by the owner-he will be accepting of their presence-and will often remember them on later visits. So we went in search of an exceptional breeder-one who will be a mentor-a source of info and will aid in selecting a specific dog to our needs. And we found her in Harriet Pittman who raises these dogs, as well as border collies, chickens and an incredible herd of colored angoras. She is in Charles City and we paid a visit last weekend. She has a litter of 8 dogs and they were getting socialized to chickens-very good. They all have impeccable conformation the would be willing in a show ring-if that was our interest-but not. We looked at the mother and other of her working dogs and once we were introduced-the barking stopped and they went back to work. Two of the adults was even licking my hubby by the end of the visit. I do want a dog that will not be a torture to visitors. We decided on a female-who would be better to get along with the Rocket Man (my 3 legged boston terrier). So we are good to go in about 3 weeks-we chose the name Nisa-a Turkish name meaning woman remembered. It also has a Celtic origin meaning lamb. The breed originated in Turkey some 6000 years ago. It is still used as a sheep guardian there.

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Teenaged chickens in the coop

We have 9 additional chickens we have been raising since late winter-they are now in the coop and I have been really working on getting them used to me. They all eat from my hand and several like to roost on my arm or shoulders and like to be stroked on the head. My fave is Paprika-she has really taken to me and will sit on my arm for quite a while and snuggles in for being stroked on the head. I feel so honored!

And the big thing with Scarlet Fleece is the Needle Arts trade show coming in a month. I am partnering with one of our pattern designers-Cheryl Beckerich-getting a double booth-#1341 and 1440. Many arrangements being made. AND we have had a good Spring with lots of orders and I have been working on new patterns. The new 2011 colorways are now posted on the website. So it is crazy time. Even so-I hope to be posting more in the near future-check back soon. And don’t forget to follow me on twitter for more up to the minute stuff going on @scarletfleece. Have a colorful day!