View down the Firth in winter.
While this Winter was cold and snowy, it was not as prolonged or seemingly as bitter as 2009/2010. Last Winter was hard for the sheep, they relied heavily on hay and dry feed, costs for feeding them were more than the sum raised at the previous lamb sales, so we once again, found ourselves subsidising the livestock.
Ewes too are affected by the cold, animals respond biologically to their environment, their genetic “makeup” gears them for survival. Swallows, for example. lay and raise 4 chicks at a time, this is the optimum that the 2 parent birds can safely feed, knowing that of those four young, perhaps only one will ultimately survive. Sheep are no different, they carry many young, usually 1 or 2 go on to be born. Our “usual” number is a higher ratio of twins to singles. The harsh Winter last year resulted in a greater than usual number of triplets, which came as something of a surprise, but also brought with it new challenges — making sure that all survived.
With the effects of a sharp Winter in mind, we have carefully monitored the feeding regime this Winter. We have 32 ewes in lamb this time, and lambing is due to commence on or around the 13th April.
The year has not started well.
More to follow …