Aug 22, 2024
Yesterday I gave the sheep their needed parasite treatment. Along with that, the other recommendation is to put them on pasture that doesn’t have the freshly hatched larvae that can repeat this infestation cycle that is the number one killer of sheep.
At the moment I treated the 133rd sheep, I looked up and witnessed them bursting through the temporary fence and they would have grazed upon these killer larvae. I jumped into my truck and pushed them away from this choice and onto the safe pasture. I’ve done this multiple times, and keep retraining them. In this instance, they saw their siblings enjoying fresh grass, and they couldn’t stand it any longer. Another factor is any sheep who is less respectful of the boundary. Once that one pushes down the electric fence, everybody gets the idea it’s not going to hurt them. This can happen even when the fence is powered up and painful to the touch. I’ve sold certain sheep because they have consistently led the entire flock outside that boundary.
Once on fresh grass, they’ll settle back down. I just have to constantly make it difficult for them to get any ideas about getting out again. It is costly, but lately I remember Jesus’ plea to his Father “Let this cup be taken from me.” It settles my heart to know that by His sacrifice and yielding His will, He took care of His sheep.
