We set this weekend aside ages ago, with Mark Cooper, to dip all our sheep. its the sort of exchange of help and facilities that makes things easier for us all, and is always a giggle. Its turning into an annual event, with my first experience of it last year. Some farmers use a type of shower arrangement, but Mark has a dipping bath set in concrete with a draining ramp above it, all very organised with a series of gates and pens to gather each batch.
Last year my main worry was Tottie, as she was so little. This year of course was Daisy-May, she is such a mummy's girl, always the first to get to me in the field and last to leave when I get in the car...... she's really precious.
Nigel took most of the sheep yesterday Peewee and her gang included with him carefully reversing each sheep into the bath backwards and Mark pushing each one under twice to let the dip do it's job. They all look so surprised, but sheep bob up in the water and they can all swim perfectly, even though some have never had to before. They are all kept in the bath facing the deepest end, before being turned round to get out via the steps at the other end. It's only about 8 ft long, not the canal type that was traditionally used years ago, so they don't have far to swim. There is a steep ramp made of concrete where they gather to drain, and shake, and this year I've noticed that the thing they hate most is having water in their ears.
Today we checked Peewee and the others... its been a really sunny day and they are all nice and dry, and they are looking wonderful. Any itching has stopped and they are all soft and fluffed up. Peewee just wanted to sink her head into my arms, so I sat down for her to rest her chin on my shoulder...... we've clearly been forgiven!
Daisy-May was nearly the last sheep to be done, after what must have been near to 200 before her... the mixture remains the same strength, with regular top ups in the bath to keep the depth constant....... unfortunately with that many sheep preceding her, it got very dirty, so she's not the little clean white lamb who started the day, but that won't matter as her natural oils will get rid of the grime... the dip will do it's chemical job and protect her for the next season.. and when I went back before the sun went down, she was happy.. the first to reach me...... and as chatty as ever before I left her at the gate...
................ and when I can work out how to transfer pictures from my phone... I'll give you a better incite into the weekend!!
Last year my main worry was Tottie, as she was so little. This year of course was Daisy-May, she is such a mummy's girl, always the first to get to me in the field and last to leave when I get in the car...... she's really precious.
Nigel took most of the sheep yesterday Peewee and her gang included with him carefully reversing each sheep into the bath backwards and Mark pushing each one under twice to let the dip do it's job. They all look so surprised, but sheep bob up in the water and they can all swim perfectly, even though some have never had to before. They are all kept in the bath facing the deepest end, before being turned round to get out via the steps at the other end. It's only about 8 ft long, not the canal type that was traditionally used years ago, so they don't have far to swim. There is a steep ramp made of concrete where they gather to drain, and shake, and this year I've noticed that the thing they hate most is having water in their ears.
Today we checked Peewee and the others... its been a really sunny day and they are all nice and dry, and they are looking wonderful. Any itching has stopped and they are all soft and fluffed up. Peewee just wanted to sink her head into my arms, so I sat down for her to rest her chin on my shoulder...... we've clearly been forgiven!
Daisy-May was nearly the last sheep to be done, after what must have been near to 200 before her... the mixture remains the same strength, with regular top ups in the bath to keep the depth constant....... unfortunately with that many sheep preceding her, it got very dirty, so she's not the little clean white lamb who started the day, but that won't matter as her natural oils will get rid of the grime... the dip will do it's chemical job and protect her for the next season.. and when I went back before the sun went down, she was happy.. the first to reach me...... and as chatty as ever before I left her at the gate...
................ and when I can work out how to transfer pictures from my phone... I'll give you a better incite into the weekend!!
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