sheep getting "recharged"
Everyone has their own star. At least anyone can register a star named after them in some giant star catalog. Well this time of year the stars for Shilo, Setro wooly, Madison, Grover, Jumba, and about eight others lined up well. These ruminants, are having their fill of fresh green grass to their hearts content. No more jostling over the flakes of hay tossed over the fence. Maybe it has nothing to do with stars, but with Jackie and my good fortune seasonal grass up here. Our herd consists of llamas, sheep, and goats.
Our situation
This year we ran low on hay and I purchased a ton of hay to tide the herd over until summer when it’s available at a lower price. This spring and early summer have been quite unusual in the high amount of rain and clouds. This combination has created a good deal of taller grass, spread out as it is.
The grass not very dense and doesn’t recover from grazing very well. I remember in our 3 or 4 year, I had the great idea of running several hundred feet of hose and impeller sprinklers to keep the grass good for grazing. Just doesn’t work up here that well. I spent more money on gas to run the well and water the grass, than was practical. Nice bailed grass hay is the economic choice up here. Anyway, back on topic …
'cmon trim closer to the buildings!
We ran out of hay right at the peak of the grass growing around here, and probably a couple weeks before it all dries up creating fire concerns. Jackie suggested we just turn them loose. At first they would all wonder up the hill, like they were getting away with something. Each evening they would be waiting by the gate wanting in if it happened to be closed.
Each day, it seemed as they became more satisfied, they would not wonder very far. The closer to the house they graze, the less grass cutting work for me 
This unique situation has been quite enjoyable for man(me) and beast(them). No tossing 80 pound bales around, just open the gate in the morning, and close them in at night. Sure could get used to this! This helps reduce the hay bill too.
This rare alignment of the grass growing and our hay needs rarely happens. We either run out of hay when our local grass has gone brown, or else we run out of hay before there is any grass to feed on.
Requirements for Free hay
There are a few details to make our unique situation work out well:
- Guardians: the herd must have a few guardians. We have 3 lovely llamas that do this job. They naturally charge danger (coyotes) and put themselves between the danger and the herd or flock. Our group contains 9 or 10 shetland sheep, of which 3 are this years lambs. Without the full time llama workers, I doubt Jackie would ever agree to this free feeding!
. - Open defensible field or area to graze. Our area is fairly open after the forest fire 15 years ago, and it would be difficult to sneak up on the herd.
. - Lots of greener grass on the other side of the fence. This keeps the the need of the heard to wonder very far low. With plenty of food close by, they stay safer next to their normal surroundings.
Time limited offer
All good things must come to and end sometime. This particular window looks like it will close this week. The weather “switch” will probably happen with temperatures expected in the eighties and no rain. Time to shop for another ton of hay, and make sure Jenny the old ’73 jeep is ready to haul it.
Do you have grazers that can cut your grass too? What are your plans for animals and grazing at your remote home? Any suggestions on how to improve or extend this time? Join the conversation in the comments below!
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