When I was a kid, I dreamed of having livestock. Growing up in a suburban California beach town, I couldn't understand why we couldn't have a lamb pen on the side of our house. I went to UC Davis to study biology, mainly because of the school's aggie reputation. Funny though, the only time I have ever passed out in my life was when I was learning to castrate sheep in my animal husbandry class. The hog slaughterhouse part of that class really sickened me as well. So, I decided to stick with milk goats, ones that could become pets and not have to face that fact. We've also ventured into dairy sheep, with visions of sheep milk cheese (yum.)
I have been naive to think that you can have livestock without the meat, especially when you have to breed for milk production. Well, yesterday we took the plunge and slaughtered our ram that we bought for breeding last fall. Actually, Steve did it. Himself! (with guidance from his buddy) My part is to go pick up a new chest freezer.
Here's a pic of our new ram lamb born last weekend. He's cute, but don't get too attached to this one.
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2 comments:
he is cute and so are your little kids! our kidding is over for the year too. it is such a wonderful time.
It may be revisionist history on my part, but I think I remember when you passed out! I'm so glad your dream of having livestock has come true!! (Katie 'Ferg' Hetrick)
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