(Note: I wrote this back in July. I’m not sure why I never published it. Probably, a bird flew by the window and I got distracted.)
Since I got back from my quick trip to Illinois (my mother’s memorial service) yesterday afternoon, we have sold eleven of our eighteen sheep. We sold six yesterday to a young man from Corinth, Mississippi, who is starting a full-blooded Dorper breeding program. He bought four of our older ewes, our ram, and a ram lamb. He had done a lot of research and really liked the line we have.
The couple this morning were from Northern Virginia. They were originally interested in lambs, but ended up taking three ewe lambs and two yearling ewes. They took both Leslie and Chance, a mother-daughter pair because they didn’t want to separate the lamb too early. I have several different feelings about all this.
First, we have really been needing to reduce the flock. Eighteen sheep is too few for a commercial herd and too many for a hobby. Taking care off them was hard work and expensive. About two weeks ago, we separated the rams from the ewes, which meant moving two groups daily, filling extra water and feed bowls, and general logistics problems. So it feels good to have the flock down to a more manageable size.
Second, I get really attached to almost all our animals and I always worry about them as they disappear down the drive. However…
Third, the farms these animals are going to seem to be good. The folks who bought them all have experience raising sheep, have done their research and know what they are looking for, and will blend our sheep in with larger flocks. The sheep will be breeding stock, not sold off at some auction. The young man from yesterday sent me a picture of Fiasco (the ram) and the ram lamb settling into their space in the barn where they will be in quarantine for a week or two, common practice when bringing new animals into the farm.
Fourth, it was very gratifying to hear people who had done the research in breeding lines and genetic traits say that our sheep are very good quality, and both bought more than they originally came for.
Fifth, I realized I did not charge enough.
Sixth, I don’t care—I am a really crappy at business. (Never hire me to sell something.)
Seventh, even knowing our sheep are going to good homes, and knowing we needed to get rid of them, it is a little sad to see them go.
