Meet Smokey & Bandit - Our First Sheep!
We've kept you waiting long enough, it's time to say hello to our first homestead livestock!
The Road Trip
The farm we purchased Smokey and Bandit from was about 2.5 hours away. My 4 year old son and I made a roadtrip of it and took the scenic route down the mountains into the low country.
At the Farm
It was a hot day... literally 100 (F) degrees in the shade! We arrived at the farm and did all the paperwork and payment first, to make the transition short for the sheep and to keep from stressing them too much or keeping them waiting in the DIY Sheep Hauler.
The Ride Home
Thankfully, the sheep did great on their first ride in a vehicle. They didn't thrash or jump about, and seemed to enjoy the wind in their wool as we drove home! We ran into a pretty severe rain storm on the way home and I was really glad I put the metal roofing on the hauler. The sheep were well protected and seemed to handle it at a stride.
Home Sweet Home
We have three gates into the sheep yard, but only one is accessible to back a vehicle directly up to. I wanted to make sure the sheep knew where their water and barn was, so I parked the truck as close as possible, then bear-hugged them and carried them one at a time.
I showed them their water trough and put them into the barn. However, they quickly ran to higher ground and as far away from us as possible. Understandable... we're new, and they were in a new place and still likely scared from the drive.
While they were in the upper field, we took the time to spread the straw in their barn and setup their mineral feed bowl.
A Few Days Later
Today marks their 5th full day at our home. Smokey & Bandit are starting to think about warming up to us, but are still a long way away from being pets. We like to tempt them with apples, of which only Bandit seems to be brave enough to contemplate it... he's not eaten from our hands yet. Smokey is the more shy of the two, even though he is a few weeks older.
They have been exploring the area a little more, and we were thrilled to find them in the front yard one evening; happily eating way at the "good stuff". They seem to like Queen Anne's Lace flowers.
We know it will take more time to get them used to us, but they seem pretty happy so far.
See you in the comments below, and on the next post!
Until next time, @greenacrehome
Homesteading, Welcome to the future! Amazing job and such a cute livestock! <3
Absolutely!
Verygood
Hello Smokey and Bandit, nice to meet ewe 😊
That joke was Baaaaad. LOL
😊
Awww! They are adorable! I love the names!
It was between that and Bill & Ted. We let our 4 y.o. decide. :) They are cute and cuddly, but have yet to let us hug them. Soon though... very soon... :-D
Congratulations! I'm sure y'all will get used to each other as the days go by. So fun to watch!
Thank you! It has been fun so far. And I soooo enjoy the extra 2 hours in my weekend on mowing time, too!
I think I would enjoy the wind in my wool too if I was a sheep heading to your place. I'm sure you'll get along nicely.
Oh for sure! Especially in that heat!
Another really good read thanks for posting. One day in the distant future I hope it's me sharing this same experience!Have a great day :-)
You could totally rock some steampunk sheep! I can see it now... :-)
Ha ha you said it! Get those sheep a top hat and some tea ;-)
Oh they look lovely! And look at all that lush grass and herbs. Your Home is truly a Green Acre. :-) I'm sure they'll make themselves comfortable there in not time.
Thank you! Our home site was pretty instrumental in the picking of our homestead name. :)
They look awesome.
Thanks @pennterra, also thanks for joining us on the SteemitHomesteaders slack group. See you around!
I finally get to meet your sheep and they are so cute. I was happy to hear that they did well with the drive; I was a bit worried about that. Not because of your DIY hauler though. I just thought they would be scared and jumping around, trying to get out. Looks like they have a great home now. Best wishes with your sheep. :)
We were concerned too, but they're troopers! Thanks for the best wishes and comment!