My efforts to tame the sheep are going a little slow.
Sylvia, like her namesake, is somewhat of a robust, character who leads the shy Irene a sort of merry dance all over the field. Sheep trails have already been formed clearly in the grass and are providing a highway for the hens and ducks too and from the coops and the pond.
I need better weather really, and aim to sit with a book when the rain finally clears away, so that the ever curious ewes can have an opportunity to give me the once over.
Physically smaller than your average "Wallace and Grommit" sheep, the Soay breed are shy and silent characters. They slip from one favourite part of the field to another like grey ghosts and will suddenly apprear out of nowhere when they went to see just why I have my head in a coop or a bucket in my hand.
With their wide panda eyes and their gentle ways, they are characters that are certainly growing on me
Congratulations John, Soay are such wonderful sheep. They were under consideration here at Thistle Cove Farm but I opted for the less expensive and more easily obtained Shetland. Such personality! I wish you well with them.
ReplyDeleteit's early days. Here's hoping for some better weather for you. Do the birds follow along behind the sheep then?
ReplyDeleteGill
Living in Wales, they are probably nervous from past experience.
ReplyDeleteTommy S, I was so really tempted to comment that it was time for the wellies and the cliff (at the edge of a cliff they push back harder) but then decided against it.
ReplyDeleteGood decision.
DeleteHave you thought about training George to be a sheep dog?
ReplyDeleteUnless you've had them from lambs, I doubt if they'd ever become really friendly. Just hope for resigned acceptance.
ReplyDeleteI think the arrangement is working out, if they are wondering what YOU are doing. They will come around eventually I think and you'll be hard pressed to get away from them. By the amount of grass... I would venture to say you could have used more than two.
ReplyDeleteWhen they are really hungry they will find you.. Ha Ha. Just like people. Enjoy reading your blog and I liked the title.. Ghost Sheep.. ta ta for now from Iowa:)
ReplyDeleteThey look lovely and as long as you have all that green for them to eat they likely won't make any escape efforts.
ReplyDeleteThe trouble is that if you did manage to tame them they would become great big nuisances, much better as distant spectators.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Will Sylvia and Irene help ward off fox? They look big enough to deal with fox attacks themselves. Just wondering.
ReplyDeleteI hope they come around before the weather eventually turns for the worse, John.
ReplyDeleteThey look like they're getting nearer though.. another week and you'll have cracked it.
ReplyDeleteThey sound gorgeous. I like the sound of ghost sheep !
ReplyDeleteTime and patience. My lady was able to run her hand down Cameo's back the other day and also skritched her face. Cami is still not sure she wants to be a pet sheep but she's very curious when Ollie and Wickery get hugs and cuddles. Her favorite thing is to come up behind my lady and give her a good sniff over and nibble her hair. Cami has been here since the end of July so it's still early days. Most days my lady doesn't try to touch her because she's still skittery. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteAfter a vigorous five minutes of research on Wikipedia, I understand Soay sheep are considered at risk of breed extinction. Any plans to breed this two? Surely they wouldn't be so standoffish with a handsome young ram. (Of the Soay variety, Tom...breed purity and all that.)
ReplyDeleteCan you tame sheep? xxx
ReplyDeleteI would agree with Cro.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as cruel as it sounds if you can separate them you sometimes might have some luck.
As herd animals if kept separate for some time they may turn to non sheep creatures for company. I've had quite a bit of success with this method for goats.
Yes! You must establish yourself as their lord and master!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Sunday, John. ♥
ReplyDeleteI love your description of them, they sound lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe have a few folk round here who keep soays John - I think you can win any sheep over with a few sheep pellets in a bucket - they soon learn because, like all sheep, food is uppermost in their minds. Have a nice Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThey look fab...will you be sheering them at some stage?
ReplyDeleteIf they're "growing on you", my guess is you'll have them following you around like puppy dogs in no time. Seems like you have a tendency to "grow" on most animals.
ReplyDeleteAnother sheep lover!!! I knew it was only a matter of time before you got some sheep and know what the rest of the sheep junkies know. They are addictive, so watch yourself.
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