When we got to Housesteads, it felt like we were in the middle of a demonstration. Baa here and baa there, went the sheep.
It took me a while to understand what all this racket was all about.
Ewes and lambs at Housesteads
It seems that we got there right after they had separated the moms from their young, and both sides were either protesting or calling.
More of my Housesteads photos here
Or maybe, as Catherine suggested, they were just counting us 
Oh, how sad for those mamas and their babies! Why would they separate them?
Comment by kenju — September 21, 2008 @ 9:36 pm |
@ Kenju, Not sure, but I understand it’s a common procedure when the sheep grow up
Comment by Claude — September 21, 2008 @ 10:48 pm |
You can count yourself lucky it was not cows and their calves, the noise is horrific and goes on and on for at least two days and is louder at nights.
Its to stop both lambs and calves from suckling once they reach a certain age.
Another bit of useless information, which I am full of.
Comment by Mrs K — September 22, 2008 @ 12:58 am |
In August the lambs are separated from the mothers so that the lambs are weaned (as Mrs K has said) and to allow the ewes to get back into condition. It isn’t as cruel as one would think. After about 24 hours the noise stops, lambs are weaned – there was no physcial reason for them to continue suckling. The big boys are then let back into the field with all the ewes and the cycle can begin again.
Comment by Peggy — September 22, 2008 @ 8:12 am |
@ Mrs K and Peggy, thanks for the info. Was not sure what the idea behind the thing was. Anyway, the noise WAS quite something!
Comment by Claude — September 22, 2008 @ 8:30 am |
How timely for me, Claude. About to leave to see grandchildren, take oldest to sheep and wool show. He will enjoy this!
Comment by naomidagenbloom — September 24, 2008 @ 1:01 pm |
I think all the lambs are complaining, but all the ewes are saying, “Whew! It’s about time I got to stop nursing those giants!”
Great video!
Comment by Marcy — September 26, 2008 @ 11:43 pm |