Most years we lamb from our flock of Welsh Mountain ewes to increase the number of grazing animals during the summer months. This is to ensure we keep the grass down to a level that is beneficial to our important chough population who feed on soil invertebrates. When the grass is too long they can't feed effectively and the cooler, shaded soils mean less insects. The animals dung is important for dung beetles which as well as being a good source of food for choughs are in decline nationally (the two facts are not linked!)
So looking ahead to next spring we introduced our Cheviot rams from Brecon to our ladies, most of which are a cross between Glamorgan Welsh ewes and either Llyn or Cheviot rams. Gestation in sheep is around 147 days meaning we can expect our first lambs on or around 15th April
No turning back now!......
Our 3 rams with their red raddle markers - raddle is a waxy substance made from mixing a special powder with cooking oil which is rubbed on the ram's chest which in turn marks the ewes as they are served. This way you can keep track on which ewes have been served and roughly when
Sending Dewi on an outrun to fetch the ewes in the shadow of Carn Llundain
Moving the ewes down towards the ram field
Spectators!
It always pays to check behind the walls! These 4 thought they had escaped the fun and games!
What we want to see! Within half and hour there were red bums everywhere indicating the ewes and the rams approved of each other!
It might be late November but its still warm work......
You can't beat a good shake down! Well deserved as he once again saved us a lot of leg work