Checking the Sheep

One of the jobs that has to be done every day and sometimes twice is checking all the sheep in the fields. This is usually carried out by Farmer Daughter who drives around them in our multi terrain vehicle ( the gator). The advantage of this is that she can drive close to them without disturbing them, she can carry any medicines she may need, she can take stock feed potatoes or hay in the winter,  it's quicker and drier in wet weather. This time of year there are obviously ewes and their lambs to check. Each ewe and lamb is marked with a number, singles in one colour and doubles in another. It is then possible to quickly see which lambs should be with which mum. It also gives an indication of the age of the lamb. This lamb being only no. 7 was obviously one of the earlier ones.

The sheep are checked to ensure they are all looking healthy with no signs of any problems, that they have not escaped from the field and they have adequate grass.

I sometimes incorporate checking the sheep into part of my walk. It's no great hardship in fine weather and when they are in a field with a beautiful view.

It does take a while on foot and the disadvantage is that they tend to wander away from me. Poppy stays firmly on a lead during checking. She doesn't chase the sheep but they have more of a tendency to move away if she is wandering around.

This is probably one of my favourite views from our fields. It makes me really realise how lucky we are to have such lovely places to wander and makes me think of all the people who have been shut up in their houses for weeks. How pleased they must feel to have a little more freedom these past few days.

I think they must have similar thoughts as I do as the day comes to an end. That's another day got through and hopefully another step closer to seeing a bit of normality.