Friday, February 04, 2011

From lambs to RAMS...
and FARM FRIEND FRIDAY!


 Welcome to the first "Farm Friend Friday"!
When you've finished reading this post, be sure to click on the link at the bottom.  It will take you to Verde Farm's blog and to many more links to farm blogs that have joined the Farm Friend Friday party!


Bluff Country Shetlands' contribution is a post regarding the dramatic change in horn growth on ram lambs as they come out of their first winter...

These first few pictures were taken one month ago.
 

For the first time, in the history of Bluff Country Shetlands, I chose a white ram lamb to use for breeding this season. 
Polar Bear was just too nice of ram lamb not to use!
 

His conformation is excellent and his fleece is absolutely gorgeous!  It's exactly what I breed for ~ a nice, soft, moderately crimpy, fine, intermediate fleece.  I am very excited to see the lambs he produces with my intermediate fleeced ewes.

If you look closely at these first three photos, you can see where Bear's horn growth stopped, late last fall. This is normal. It is evidenced by the darker 'ridge' at the base of his horns.


The following pictures were taken this week:


You can clearly see the new horn growth at the base of Bear's horns.


His horn buds were huge at birth and I suspect he's going to have massive horns.
 

Massive, widespread horns, beautiful fleece, excellent conformation and a pink nose!  What more could anyone ask for in a breeding ram?   

DREAM says...
 
"I'll have to take your word for it Mom.  Echo won't let Bear anywhere near me!"

Now, go check out:

Click here to visit the Verde Farm Blog and links to many other Farm Blogs!




16 comments:

  1. What a beautiful ram,and the horns...wow...toss in the beautiful white fibre!! Looks like you have a winner there! Beautiful Bear!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous10:49 AM

    Beautiful boy... is he gentle? He looks very sweet. The wool is incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  3. He is very gentle. He's a little on the timid side as Echo has definitely established himself as the top ram. I'll be getting working on getting some good, outdoor, photos and fleece shots of all three of the ram lambs I used for this season's flock sires, in the next few days. Stay tuned!

    ReplyDelete
  4. He looks like a youngster, but I'm sure he is getting the job done. I'm still looking for that dang bell!

    ReplyDelete
  5. He's a beautiful boy, isn't he? I'm looking forward to seeing the resulting lambs - very exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Do sheep normally have less fur on their legs, or are they sheered that way? You can tell I;m not a raised in the country girl :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh Nancy, he is absolutely gorgeous. I love his coloring and pink nose. I think you chose wisely. I am so happy you linked up to Farm Friend Friday--Yay! Rain and Burdock are doing great!
    Amy :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ok, ok, I'm going! but first I wanted to say how much I enjoyed the pictures of Polar Bear and his horns. Not keeping sheep myself (sadly), I so enjoy reading about yours. He is a lovely ram and I'm sure the ladies would agree with me, the lady sheep I mean.
    I have a fleece by my favourite armchair, which looks like it could have come straight from him and it's so warm round my toes.
    I have another one on the back of the sofa, behind my head, which I snuggle into in the evenings when I'm reading. I love fleeces.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello Nancy!! At the end of my week, I've loved catching up on your blog--Yours is one of my favorites to come visit...I will just say that while I don't know anything about Rams or sheep what I do know is that Polar Bear looks like he belongs in a nativity scene--What a handsome boy! :-))

    I hope you're doing well, and have a great weekend!! Take care, okay?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, please get rid of Echo the alpha-ram and keep Polar Bear! I love big horns, and he POSES so nice for pictures! That was uncanny :) I think he's giving Dream a run for her money. Can't you just keep him and lease him out as a stud like horses?
    I like this Farm Friends thing, it sounds like a great way to spread the word. Make sure people know about your very sniffable soaps and snuggly wooly things :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cute Boy that Polar Bear. You know, the pink nose means there's a white spot there. And pink eye rims means the same thing. HST!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous9:25 PM

    Joanna - Nancy has a windchime on her blog page waaaaay down on the righthand side. :)

    We were all madly bell hunting a few weeks ago, trying to find the bell sound (I have 2 young kittens in the house, so I was all over the place trying to find the bell!)

    Cheers!

    Katie in MN

    P.S. Nancy love the posed pictures, complete with blue background! He just keeps getting handsomer, doesn't he?! He was the cutest, pinkest little lamb when he was born!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Nancy...LOVE the socks! Glad to see you dove right into the second pair, too! It won't be long now, and you'll be makin' zillions of them!
    Amy at Wheely Wooly Farm

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your sheep are gorgeous! I'm so glad that you managed to hang on to your farm. A lot of work, but well worth it. Are you familiar with Punkin's Patch in Kentucky?

    This Farm Friend Friday has introduced me to so many fantastic blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  15. BeeeeUtiful sheep!
    I'm here for Friday Farm Follow and I'm so happy to have found your blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. He is GORGEOUS...I have become a follower so I will be sure to know what his off spring look like...The girls are very pretty also.

    We are currently researching sheep breeds to add to our property here in FL...I can't wait for the day we bring our first lambs home.

    Blessings Kelsie

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin