Mad as a box of frogs is a choice description that my neighbour generously contributed to my vocabulary. Box of frogs is now the name for any of the first-timer Torwens who don't realise they are lambing, drop their burden from a standing start and run off, relieved that the tum and bum pains have finally stopped. You have to corner these skippity creatures and herd them into a pen where their wet lamb is waiting to be licked into the world. The bonding is fine once the ewe gets her first sniff and taste; the problem is getting them to realise that the pain and the lamb are in any way connected. Expecting them to appreciate that they are in lamb at all and therefore shouldn't be leaping over feed troughs, straw bales and each other is an unwinnable battle, and the older ewes just look at them with disdain: "keep your strength for later, young'un".
Friday, 4 April 2008
Box of frogs
Mad as a box of frogs is a choice description that my neighbour generously contributed to my vocabulary. Box of frogs is now the name for any of the first-timer Torwens who don't realise they are lambing, drop their burden from a standing start and run off, relieved that the tum and bum pains have finally stopped. You have to corner these skippity creatures and herd them into a pen where their wet lamb is waiting to be licked into the world. The bonding is fine once the ewe gets her first sniff and taste; the problem is getting them to realise that the pain and the lamb are in any way connected. Expecting them to appreciate that they are in lamb at all and therefore shouldn't be leaping over feed troughs, straw bales and each other is an unwinnable battle, and the older ewes just look at them with disdain: "keep your strength for later, young'un".
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7 comments:
Love this mopsa! The 'box of frogs', the running start lambing, skippity creatures, the lot...fab!
Torwen psychology - I love it.
But not the frogs - virtual or not.
'Mad as rickets' they say round here.
They sound good healthy sheep - nothing wrong with a bit of leaping is there?
Thank you Paula...it's important to keep one's sense of humour amongst the lambing frenzy - getting there now.
Kaz, I know you don't like frogs, I'm sorry to mention them. There is something batty about these mountain imports from Wales - perhaps they are missing the altitude. They'll settle with the others in time.
Not heard that one M'ear. I thought only lords and not ewes should leap, but they and you are right and I am obviously wrong. I just like a settled maternity ward, like an old-fashioned matron.
I love the box of frogs! Keeping your sense of humour must be difficult at times at the moment!
If you don't mind me saying - that last post was blatantly sheepist! It's like you're trying to imply that sheep are our intellectual inferiors when in reality they simply see the world differently from us. Solidarity with Devonshire sheep! Set the sheep free!
Oh no, F'pot - as long as things are going well, it's the most glorious time of year, even if I am knackered!
Yorkshire Pud - what with your rant against barbed wire (yes, nasty stuff) and your sheep freedom movement, I'm expecting to see you on the front page of a red top any day now, banner in hand, megaphone in the other, copy of Animal Farm stuffed in your pocket and a Pied Piper's column of sheep behind you. Baaa!
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