Author: ourfathersgift

Sheep Herding and Management

IMG_1358SHEEP

Herding and Management

The sheep’s predators and protection: Domesticated sheep are rather helpless because for many years they have been bred to depend upon humans.  Because sheep were some of the first animals to be domesticated, they need constant care and attention.  They are less vulnerable with a guardian animal, such as a dog, llama, or donkey.  When a predator appears, the sheep will run because their only protection is in their speed. If in a corral, they might smother each other in their madness to get away.  In southern North America, their main predator is the coyote but other predators include stray dogs, foxes, bobcats, and eagles.  Sometimes sheep will simply wander away from the shepherd and be killed by a predator.  Most of the time, a shepherd’s whole livelihood comes from his sheep.

Orphans: Orphan lambs, or “bum lambs” as they are often called, can be bottle fed but that is a time-consuming business.  What would be best for you and the lamb would be to have a ewe who’s lamb has died take care of it.  A ewe knows her lamb by its scent, so a shepherd may sprinkle perfumed powder on the ewe and lamb, until she adopts it.  Another way to trick a ewe into taking an orphaned lamb is to skin her dead lamb and place the pelt on the orphan.  You should be careful when working with orphans though, because if the ewe does not accept the lamb she might trample it!   

Homing and flocking: Sheep have a strong homing instinct which means that they will return to the farm that is their home, following those who know the way.  They also have flocking instinct, which means they stay in a tight herd, and if one sheep runs: they all do!  This can be helpful (or not helpful) if you are a shepherd.

Sheep, as a job: Shepherding is one of the hardest jobs you can have because it takes a lot of time.  The shepherd is with the sheep all the time day and night.  You don’t just work eight hours a day and then stop!  It is also hard because sheep are so helpless.  Yet, keeping sheep is rewarding: most of the time, a shepherd’s whole livelihood comes from his sheep.  Take care of the sheep and they will take care of you.

The Good Shepherd: In the Bible, Jesus in sometimes described as the Good Shepherd, and Christians as His sheep.  We do truly have many similarities to sheep, such as helplessness and wandering away from the Shepherd.  One of the most famous passages in the Bible is written by David Psalm 23 states “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” In this psalm, David is speaking as a sheep and calling God the Shepherd.  Learning about sheep helps you to learn about yourself.

Written by Violet Thorne

That Goaty Taste!

That Goaty Taste! 

Solving the problem of bad tasting milk

Every one that milks goats has at some time had milk that tasted, well, goaty.  Have you ever wondered why your milk tasted that way?  Well, in this article I will strive to answer your questions about goaty milk. 

What Causes, and How to prevent the “Goaty” Taste

Very old milk will almost always taste goaty, but if your milk is new, then it could be your equipment. 

Always keep your equipment very clean, and this can go a long way to avoiding off-tasting milk. 

But sometimes no mater how clean your equipment is, you can still have off-tasting milk. 

Check what your doe is eating, things like wild onions, garlic, silage, and honeysuckle may give an off-taste to your milk; avoid such feeds 2-4 hours before milking. 

Another thing that may affect the taste of your milk is how quickly you cool your milk after milking.  The temperature should be under 45 degrees in the first hour.

If nothing else works your goat could be B12 deficient, or it could be the breed of goat you have.

Nubians are known to have very good milk where as toggenburgs have a reputation for having stronger tasting milk. In some rare cases, it could just be your individual goat. 

What to do with Goaty Milk

If you do have goaty milk, and you are wondering what you can do with it, here are some that you can us it. 

Cooking is a way that you can use milk that is not too goaty, but, lotions, crafts, and soap, these are just a few ways to use goaty milk, but it is always better to start with not goaty milk.

Our Father’s Gift Farm

    

Thanksgiving

IMG_0002_4Leaves are falling.  The wind has a little bite to it.  It’s dark when we eat dinner.  Thanksgiving is in the air.   Pumpkin pie, turkey, ham, and cranberries are all very important parts of this holiday here on Our Father’s Gift Farm.  But most important part of this holiday is giving thanks to God.