Thursday 31st December

 A cold morning. 50 sheep present in the East field and 5 cattle in the West field. Sheep scattered and moving slowly but all grazing, none outside the group and no obvious limpers. Cattle grazing happily. Gates secure. Water supply to both troughs is now frozen. I worked the ballcocks free to no avail. I’ve removed the ice approx 1” thick from both and both are full. Happy New Year to everyone.

Wednesday 30th December

 5 cows and 5 sheep counted.All spread out enjoying the sunshine,no obvious limpers today.

Two limpers

Not the most inviting day to be out!

The cattle were clustered up at the northern gates. 058 has some bare patches on her hind legs. And 004 has lost some hair around her pin bones. She was enjoying a satisfying scratch on the slip rails. 

Hair loss above the back knees. No blood. 

Two sheep were slightly away from the flock  (in different places, not together). Both had a limp. 

Green sprayed limper: White Faced Woodland with front left limp. Grazing away from the flock. When I approached it walked - skipped back to flock. Wouldn't let me get close to it.

Unsprayed limper: WFW with front right limp. Slightly away from the others. Similarly grazing and hobbled away from me to rejoin flock. 

All four queries relayed to Jack. Please monitor their progress so we can see if they get better or worse.

Nice little flock of starlings swooping about. Meadow pippits feeding near the livestock.

Sat 26th and Sun 27th December

 50x sheep and 5x cows counted. No concerns.

There's still one lame sheep, but I think it seems better. The cows came over to say hello and they're a little skittish, which meant I couldn't get in amongst the sheep to check them close up.

There are lots of people walking round the meadows at the moment, so we may need to be prepared to explain to passers-by what we're up to..!

Friday 25th December

A lovely crisp Christmas Day!

5x cows counted, all seem fine.

50x sheep counted, no concerns. #47 looking much better. I couldn't quite read the ear tag of the other lame sheep (could be #4), but was still very lame on its back left. Will check again tomorrow.

I cleared the ice from the troughs. The cows have found them and are using them.

Thursday 24th Dec

50 sheep together but one with back left leg limp.

5 cows all well

Troughs working and full

Wednesday 23rd December

 50 sheep and 5 cattle counted.One sheep still very lame in left back leg.

Tues 22nd Dec

5 cows moved on. Numbers 400004,49,70022,102,69

50 sheep. 1 sheep (pictured) very lame in rear left leg. 1 other small individual limping on front left. Others seem fine.

Sat 19th and Sun 20th December

 All 50x counted on both days, no concerns. #47 looking slightly better each day. Will continue to monitor.

Quite a few were lying down on Sun, but got up quickly when I approached them and didn't seem to be in any discomfort.

Friday 18th December

All 50x counted and no concerns.  Wet, but contented.

#47 (yellow tag in right ear - not the sheep pictured) was very lame on its front left.  I was able to get a decent look and the leg didn't feel hot, there was no swelling and the sheep didn't flinch.  It's not one with spray marking on its fleece.  I will keep an eye on it.

 

Thursday

Lovely morning. 50 sheep very content on the north slope of the east field. No concerns. Gates ok.

Tuesday 15th December

Unfortunately someone drove through the gate next to the railway line overnight. I have been out to fix it.

All sheep counted and OK, a couple seemed lame at first but walked off the worst of it 

Wednesday 16th December

50 counted.The sheep were both sides of the hedge,so it took a while to check them,but they were looking well and very lively.  

Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December

 50x sheep counted. No serious lameness observed and all were flocking together and grazing normally, with no stragglers. No concerns. 

Thursday 10th December

 50 damp sheep scattered across the East field valley floor. All appear well with no obvious lameness. Definite improvement on my first visit with Ellie on Monday.

Wednesday 9th Dec

 All 50 counted.Treated sheep looking ok but another sheep (8000) limping.

2 taken off

We have taken 2 of the shetlans sheep off of site and back to the farm. Also had a look st the lame sheep and treated them. All the treated ones have been marked with a green dot on there backs.

Monday 7th December

I came out this afternoon with Adrian who will be starting lookering on Thursday.

There are a few lame sheep - some worse than others - the grazing team will come out this week to treat them. 

Sat 5th and Sun 6th December

 All 52x counted, all seem well. A little lameness in a few, but nothing that seems serious or worrying.

#8 can be a little boisterous, so keep an eye on him if you're in with the flock - he's not averse to giving you a nip or a nudge, if he wants attention or some sheep nuts!

Wednesday 2nd December

 52 counted.I was worried about a number of sheep kneeling down to graze,but who were fine when they got up.Must be a grazing technique I haven't noticed before!

Tuesday 1st December

The sheep were in very good spirits today. Enjoying the dry, cold weather. Lots of running and attempts to eat my wellies. Am I allowed to prefer them to last year's flock??