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Burying a little lamb is ok! As you said it made you feel better. I have a small farm I worked hard to get. It was raw land with a home on it. You work hard every day for your flocks, herds, gardens or whatever you have. Closer to loss is very important. You are an inspiration to us all.

We are suffering the loss of a lease right there with you. Now our small herd is on an acre feed lot and have been since October. People let you down and it's devastating for new farmers like you and my daughter. Looking for new leases has been heartbreaking too. Prayers are our only comfort and we will pray for you.

I'm letting the ads play hoping it helps. I'm so sorry girlfriend hang in there. God uses some of these hard times in life I believe to help us grow and become more wise and to prevent us from making more costly mistakes in the future. I'm looking at a different challenge but it reminds me of what I went through in 2008-2010. I thought of you when I saw the weather sending y'all an Arctic blast. Also thank you so much for The Stories guide to raising sheep as a bonus for being one of the first people that bought your master class. It was a huge blessing! I wanted to buy it when I saw it buying feed but I didn't budget for it when I had gone that day. I love it! I'm having to change my career as a barber and it's scary because my left shoulder has given up and it's in terrible pain so I'm looking at working in retail or anything I can do. A doctor told me 7 years ago when I was 28-29 that this day would come and I've been fighting it. I'll make it and you'll make it. One day at a time. I'm happy burying your lamb helped ease your heavy heart. Keep going 💖

So sorry to hear Grace. Your honesty about losses are helping me deal with some of our farm animal losses. You're an inspiration to our family! God bless you, your family, and your sheep!!! We know you're doing an amazing job!!!

Your doing so great, good luck and let the hard times become lessons and the good times memories

this is life with ups and downs don't give up 🖒

Remember the joy the Good Shepherd had when the lamb that was lost was found. If you have that same heart for your sheep, I can't help but think you are doing something right.

@spoolsandbobbins

Жыл бұрын

Yes ❤

Grace, thank you for sharing the struggles. We have also lost several over the past several months. When they come in a series, it can be so very discouraging. And it is OK to bury Chester. While they may not be our pets, a good shepherd cannot help but grow to love these animals, some deeply. Sometimes, we do need closure. You’re doing great! Thank you again for all you share. It helps all of us. - Phil

My heart and prayers go out to you. When I completed my 24 year military career and took up farming, my best friend (an Amish man) told me that if I can't take the death of my animals, then don't raise livestock. That was great advice.

Love your perspective and the way you communicate. I am working goats on 28 acres of piney woods and so far I have lost one goat, she consistently stuck her horned head in fencing and one day I was not able to get to her in time. Loss will happen, but as of this morning I have had 3 live births and healthy kids and I know I am blessed and that while my plans may not all come to pass, HIS plans always do.

@eastcoastspotlight7002

Жыл бұрын

😂 sky daddy to the rescue

I am crying for you. May God strengthen you and lift you up. May he shine his face on you. And all you’re going through is just a steppingstone from glory to glory.

Time to move to Virginia Shepherdess!!! LOL. Droughts rarely happen, grass plentiful, open acres abundant, leases available. Now we know you have a hard time being in Va but you can make do! Deo Vindice

@Ernes446

Жыл бұрын

Haha I have to agree. After fighting nature and drought/climate change in western Kansas making pastures 7x less productive and 1000# bales more expensive than corn I am moving to upstate New York. The land is about the same price per acre but you need way less land per head

Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep is the only book I really recommend to anyone.

So sorry for your losses. 😢 It definitely is hard when we loose any. We lost several last year too. Lost a ewe to ruptured vaginal prolapse with her 3 lambs. One ram didn’t get along with any other rams, the other ram managed to get in with him and lost the fight. Same ram died at the end of the year during our extreme winter freeze. Sure praying this year is much better. We have disposal regulations- lambs we can compost ourselves, the bigger sheep have to go to a disposal site. Hope you have a better lease opportunity come up for this year. Prayers for a good year!

I feel your pain. This week we had a predator(s?) take out more than half of our chicken flock. It happened during a big storm in the night, and the dogs never heard the chaos with the heavy rain. God bless.

Thank you for your insight and sharing experiences.

When we had the Dorper and Wiltiper flocks in the Karoo, we had to kraal them every night due to the large predator population. The problem was, the parasite population increased due to their returning to the kraal every day, which negated our strict daily grazing rotation to build soil and break the parasite cycle. The mobile kraal developed by Allan Savory worked well to solve this problem, and could be sited on parts of the farm where an accumulation of manure would be particularly good for soil improvement - with chickens to break down the manure and clean up many of the parasites. When we planted Kikuyu and Stargrass (Bermuda to you) pastures, with a good legume mix, we went over to a three lambing per two years to make best use of the "improved" grazing. Keep up the good work, you are doing well.

I really appreciate the transparency in all your videos. Farming isn't always easy or as pretty as one might be led to think if they only saw some youtube channels.

Let people say what they want I am a small farmer and KZread also and I raise pigs and goats this year has been awful and full of loss and any good farmer takes that to heart and fills responsible so burying that small lamb was definitely showing respect and love that you have for you animals

Any sheep or lambs that are weak, cull them. That is how I raised my goats. After a few years you have a tough resistant herd. My White Dorpers are doing great and love them. Bottle lambs do much better if you add a pinch of baking soda to replacer. Keeps them from getting enterotoxemia or bloat. I know the feeling of loosing a favorite. Loosing champions one has bottle fed, milked, pampered, showed to their championship. Love ya❤

It’s nice to see you have a shepherds heart. Carrying means a lot. I wish you guys were closer to East Tennessee I would reach out to help you. Probably loan you some property to help

I’m 65, have girls older then you and I’m a serious dog lover, have 4. My English Mastiff is slowly fading away from cancer. My wife lays clams to him so she won’t let me put him down, my South African Boerbul has been my close companion for 11 years, he travels with me but not much anymore. So I totally get your emotions, seen them a million times. God Bless Rolled Barley, got to check that out thanks.

I am encouraged that you express your faith even in the hard times. Remember, Jacob couldn't see God's plan when his sons returned from Egypt and was filled with dread over losing Benjamin to this mean Egyptian overlord, but God knew the bigger picture and the incredible blessing in store for Jacob...and his entire family. Remember, "Grace" stands for: "God's Riches At Christ's Expense". May the grace and peace of God be with you as you progress in being a Shepherdess. Keep sharing, we are all very blessed by you.

Sorry to hear about your 5 losses, especially Chester. We’ve had to bottle feed some of our calves before and it’s always disappointing when you’ve worked so had to keep one alive but it just doesn’t make it.😭

Animals don't have souls, but they have a truckload of personality......... Some of those personalities just capture your heart

@davidanderson498

Жыл бұрын

You know, I have some thoughts on this. One thing for sure is that animals are innocent unlike us. I believe in the fall of man, and I wonder if the fall also effected animals. I wonder if animals were meant to eat each other. One thing is for certain is that in the world to come there will be no death, and this would mean for animals also if there are animals. I also believe for those who are saved if you want a former pet to live again it will live again.

@theShepherdess

Жыл бұрын

Amen. 🙌🏻

Praying for you sweet lady. Farming can bring so much joy and can be so hard at times. You are doing so well, keep it up ❤️

RIP Chester and I don't blame you. Its very easy to get attached and shows you have passion for this.

ah, at our old place we buried alot of goat kids and pet fish under the tree we had a tire swing in. all of these cases sound like mostly unavoidable issues. still, tough to shake off. :) the beautiful thing about small scale sheep is you know your ewes and eventually begin culling for some of these issues. i think back to our sad losses and alot of them chopped up to genetics. even up here in canada, alot of us run our sheep on grass alone and they thrive and lamb easily! helps with the feed costs for sure

Things are tough all over in agriculture. We raise grass fed grass finished beef for consumer direct sales. We are struggling to continue to use land we own while losing hay leases to adequately feed our cattle. This year will be tougher than last if we can't arrange alternative hay field lease. Pet dogs are the worst along abandoned dogs for attacking livestock. They pack then attack and have had full grown cattle pulled down, injured or killed and left. The best cure is warning (or advising) neighbors whose dogs cause a problem. Then if it continues a well placed shot and quietly letting nature dispose of them is legal in most states (including Texas) to protect your livelyhood. All the best.

Sorry for your losses Grace. I've lost more sheep/lambs this winter than I've ever experienced since I began as well. Drought and poor electric fence performance caused unplanned breeding and winter lambs. Cold and wet and new lambs are a very bad combination. Lost several, over a dozen bottle lambs at once but at least those are doing well. Also fighting poor nutrition forages from the drought. I bought some small squares of alfalfa hay and it's made life much better lately. It's amazing how many issues dissolve from just good nutrition. I hope you have a good rest of the winter. Spring isn't that far away, hang in there Shepherdess.

Last year was my worst ever too. Lost 3 ewes and 8 lambs. Was devastating to my little operation. But I'm going into this year believe it will make up for it.

Much love Grace! I completely agree with your decision to say goodbye in the way that you did. I also appreciate everything you are sharing to help all of us to grow in our knowledge of farming. You inspire me! I’m sorry for your disappointments but I DO know that Yah has you and your flock(flurd)in the palm of His mighty hand and His plan is unfolding before your eyes and His goal for you will be more beautiful than you could have ever imagined.❤

Im so sorry for your losses. The fact that I can see it in your face as your describe it shows me how much you care about your flock.

I ALWAYS have problems with neighbors' dogs on MY property. They don't even TRY to keep their dogs on their property. So sorry for your losses!! 😭

@thesmiths629

Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately those neighbors have be held financially responsible to the highest degree, or relieved of their pet problems.

Pet or not a Pet, It was good for you and that is what matters

Difficult landlords have set me back 3 times in just 3 years. Having to start over every time. My current landlord is the greatest test and God keeps reminding me to just be still and know He is my God. Be blessed in all that you do! In the beautiful name of Jesus. Respect from Africa 🇿🇦

Heart is what makes a good shepherd / shepherdess and obviously you have a lot of it. Blessings to you and your flock!

Have you seen Sandi Brock's channel? When she loses one of her flock you can really see how much she loves her sheep

There are certain animals that tug at your heart and you wouldn’t be the person you are if that did not happen. You’re the shepherd and you know your sheep and you did what was right. Never apologize for caring and being sensitive. It’s not easy and we could see how you felt in your eyes. Don’t change. Bless you.

Thank you for sharing the highs and lows!

Shepherdess Grace, I totally understand how, even though "it's a business," still, it's also personal. In our farming we don't think twice about killing and butchering most of the animals, because "that's what they're for." But, when one dies unexpectedly, that's always an emotional experience. God bless you.

Thank you for sharing from your journey!

You have a good heart. Those animals are lucky to have you. Fingers crossed this year will turn around and be your best one yet

I appreciate you burying that little lamb. I too, had neighbors dogs kill two of my sheep just a couple of weeks ago. That is 5 in two years. And just like you I typically put them in a far corner and allow nature to take over. However, this year I decided to compost them! It was a healing experience and I appreciate that they will go back into the land to grow food in the garden. God bless you, keep up the good work.

It's painful for us to lose even a single lamb... But it gives us a small glimpse of how the Good Shepherd must feel when He loses one of His members of the fold. Because we are much more important to Him and His heart is also much bigger than ours. 🙏🙌📖

Keep going! Your so inspiring to me!!

Love your shepherds heart. I lost our milking goat after it gave birth last year. It was terrible 😔. The vet couldn't figure it out.... did an autopsy and concluded the uterus had erupted a few days prior. In her 20+ years of practice never had seen it before. Greta had a sweet personality for a goat. Very hard and sad. Two days later the vet told me a ewe did the same thing on a different farm. Really strange she said. God bless.

Remember it’s the circle of life. Stay strong, you are doing great and remain inspirational to many!

It's hard loosing any animal no matter what kind it is 😢😢. They tug at your heart strings and make you sad. But God will make it easy when you ask for his guidance ❤❤

Much love ❤️ 🙏. I hope you find new lease land soon.

It is a blessing to know the Truth when the trials of this life come. Blessings, Little Sister.

Burial allows us to let go and to move on. Don’t listen to anybody else. You do you.

There are certain trauma based issues where meat salvage is possible. Bone fractures. Torn or prolapsed uterus things with tangible , obvious issues. Any unknown , foreign , or internal issue never salvage for human consumption. I’ve seen animal carcass sit for 6 months before a predator will eat off from a sick expired animal especially disease vs rupture or other defect. And remember most treatments have slaughter and milk withdrawal so treat accordingly if chance of sale or slaughter. My grandfather said farming is 7 years struggle and fight to one year of bounty. Plan accordingly and diversify your incomes. We’ve been on the same rock strewn creek bottom since 1843.

@theShepherdess

Жыл бұрын

Well said.

bummer on losing the lease. That isn't fair to put forth effort on someone's ground and than not be able to see any long term gains from it. we had that happen once. Had to remove all of the fence around it only for them to have a change of heart and we had to put the fence all back up again. They were going to cancel on us again and we told them, to be sure because once we take down the fence a second time, we were no longer interested and the maintenance is back on their shoulders. I think his kids get jealous or have their own ideas about how they would like to have control of it until they realize there is work involved.

Toxo is definitely something to consider how to manage for your context. I think I’ve seen it at a farm where they won’t keep cats because of the toxo risk, but have a thriving rat population. We also have chache valley virus around which also causes deformities and abortions, but we haven’t personally had either so I’m not familiar with the specifics of either. We’ve chosen to tolerate a couple semi feral cats that already lived in our barn instead of rats. It isn’t that hard for us to keep the cats out of the hay since it’s all bagged or under a tarp outside, and the desexed barn cats we feed keep new ferals from moving in.

I know you’re pain This year has been a very difficult. The parasite load has been devastating for me. (Tapeworms ) then one of my guardian dogs has a chewing issue with the weaker goats. I’m just hoping that she will grow out of it. But she is with the Billy for training. He’s a no nonsense guy. That’s one of the reasons I haven’t been posting on KZread. Keep the Faith ❤ Mike the Goat Guy

JUST BURIED OUR GOAT A FEW DAYS AGO, WE BURIE ALL OUR ANIMALS, WE LOVE THEM ALL

Every year some of my sheep catch toxo plasmosis . But the more productive the breed is , the more delicate it becomes . As for their safety....get some mean barking dogs . Predators don,t come in . But don,t treat them as pets but as sheep . George Heller seems to have some good ones

@xaitramuntana1377

Жыл бұрын

Mind you , so expensive that fodder over there. Here i pay 6.4€ for a square bale but ....alfalfa !

You might want to get black solderfly larve. For disposal.

Oh, no wonder why you weren't mulching as much. You leased, I had no idea. I kind of wish more pasture finish producers had better land access.

I just love you! I thank God for your spirit!

i admire your ambition.

on the practical side it can attract predators to put dead animals in a far corner. Burying them, burning them or composting by covering in a thick layer of carbon can be a wiser way to deal with the carcass.

Soy hulls would have been cheaper to feed. I picked up 2 leases because I didn't over graze mine. Have enough grase to graze threw the rest of winter and have 6 inches left for next year

Sorry to hear the news. I raise goats and other animals myself and we all know they're not pets. Try telling that to my brahma bull Strawberry, my horse Princess, or one of my many named goats Baby. I'd bury them too.

Back when I used to do competition herding (sheep,calves,ducks). The rule was simple. if your herd is experiencing Predator Invasion damage/death to your livestock the rule is SHOOT, SHOVEL, KEEP SILENT. Also might try one or two guard donkeys. A donkey can /will kill a predator.

Maybe when this gifts pan out, they’re stepping stones to keep you going in the right direction. I feel strongly that’s how our own journey is going with where we are right now.

You learned from the loss. Keep moving , you are n inspiration n the Lord has better coming!!

Very sorry for your losses, especially the little guy. He'll be there in Heaven for you in your proper time.

I have heard of that several times in East Tennessee.

Hugs Last year was crazy. I'm sorry you have to come into the new one with the disappointment. Here's to looking forward to what God is doing.

Sorry for the difficulty you have had.

You should plant fruit tree at where you buried your lamb.

🇧🇩hi... 🍉🐑🐏 nice Video thank

These events are definitely the hardest to stomach, things will get better just stick with it.

Does this make you rethink when you breed your sheep? Having lambs in the middle of winter is challenging. Keeping the rams separated between August and december forces your lambs to be born in may or after to keep them in the warm months.

@theShepherdess

Жыл бұрын

Yes, typically my lambs are born in March, but the ram broke loose in early summer.

Thank you for sharing this. This is very educational. It's a shame KZread won't let you share educational footage when they allow content that's much more disgusting.

i like to suggest building a resevoir, unless you dont get all that much rain water.

@genaromontalvo9819

Жыл бұрын

networking water systems automating all or most of your labor. you should be able to do all the chores that are involved in a farm by yourself. hey, i'll with you here all the way.

@genaromontalvo9819

Жыл бұрын

sorry i typed the last message wrong. "im here with you guys all the way"

@the shepherdess Hang in there Grace! Another lease will come up. They always do. It's too bad since it was right next door. Maybe next year he'll see the benefits of having livestock on it vs not. Who knows maybe some day youll get the opportunity to buy it. So sorry about the loss of the sheep. That's always a bummer. The lord gives and the Lord takes away. You've been truly blessed with land and livestock.

@RockinAHomestead

Жыл бұрын

@the shepherdess I would maybe show that video of the neighbors dog to them. Maybe that will convince them to keep their dog on their own property. You might also think about game cams at the spots on the fence where they most commonly break in. To fix that spot where they dug under, drive some rebar stakes deep in the ground under the fence. Connect the fence to the rear.

Sorry for you predator attack. About five years ago we had a neighbors dog to the same thing and we mended the fence. Sadly, we were told that once the dog gets a taste of the animal it will not stop trying to attack in the future. We found that to be true - so please be careful with the dog that you saw.

That’s really not that bad. You’ve done well. Toxoplasmosis really isn’t from cats. That’s how humans often contract it, but the organism can be all over the farm. If one ewe came in contact then they all did, which means the one who lost her lamb just has a bad immune system. You should cull her and not breed that into your flock. It seems like maybe you should move if people aren’t signing multi year leases? Renting out your sheep as lawnmowers makes sense, but if someone is bringing you on for a full year but not planning on keeping the pasture grazed the next year they are either stupid or dishonest. You should go somewhere land managers know what they are doing.

Can you find someone who raises LGD’s that have been raised with sheep.

I am praying that the right land comes available that will help you achieve the dreams you have for yourself and your farm.

@theShepherdess

Жыл бұрын

THANK YOU!!

I cant believe the said no to lease renewal.

God bless you, you walk in his favor another door will open. Also when one of my sheep dies I keep the hide and field dress it like a deer and feed them to my life stock guardian dogs, same with old Chickens, skin them and feed the entire bird to the dogs. Nothing goes to waste and the dogs love it. Keep up the good work and God bless

I used to not like guard dogs but ended up trying a Pyrenees Anatolian mutt and now he’s a bestest boy 🐶 edit: guard dogs are particularly useful, I think, if you do sky burials, to ward off predators

What can you do about toxoplasmosis

@theShepherdess

Жыл бұрын

From what I read, let it run its course and eliminate the source (infected rats or cats)

I just lost a set of 3 day old lamb twins to what I think was a Racoon. Have you heard of this? Only the guts were eaten out of the one and it was still right in the same paddock. The other lamb was maybe 20 feet out of the paddock and not even dead yet with a dead wound. I cant explain it. Doesn't seem like a coyote would do that. My flock is small and they were the only lambs on the ground at the time. I cant let it happen again. I also buried both the lambs.

@theShepherdess

Жыл бұрын

I’m sorry about that. I haven’t heard of that kind of predation before. I know skunks behead their prey, but not sure about raccoon.

Dead livestock should be placed in a minimum three foot hole before sundown. Best practice.

Every loss hurts. The loss of a bottle baby is particularly hard. Unless, of course, you’re heartless. In which case, a person like that should find a different occupation. I have a place for our special babies. It’s fragrant in the spring, shady and cool in summer, vibrant in the fall and protected in winter. I know it’s corny for an old man to be so sentimental, but I know I’ll walk them out to sweet grass again and have lovely sun and warm breezes to look over rolling lush meadows without end. Take care.

God I hate how much KZread censors things over ad revenue. Pretty soon we’ll only be able to say “good” for a thousand times to collect ad revenue of videos

i know youve answered this a thousand times,,,,but where are you?

Burying a small lamb is a very human thing to do. We had a still born and did the same. Allaah decrees life and death we do what we can but life is in Allaahs hands. Love the videos!

Emotional quotient of sheep farming!!

$20-25 per square bale here.

Awww I understand that need to properly send the baby off. I came to terms with cremation as another way to send them off. Once their little spirit has left their body, it doesn’t seem as bad as when they are living and you think about cremation.

Have you ever sprouted barley into grass for fodder as a way of replacing grass when the pastures are bare?

@robertensign8786

Жыл бұрын

Barley seed costs how much??

@marissainthesunchinestate

Жыл бұрын

@@robertensign8786 SUPER CHEAP….like 5lbs for anywhere from $5-$11 Can find 10lbs for $10-$30

@theShepherdess

Жыл бұрын

I have considered sprouting, but for a few reasons have determined that feeding it dry is the most time and cost effective for me right now. 👍🏻

❤

I have livestock and pets. No matter their purpose, there will always be the ones that touch you differently.