Thursday, February 05, 2009

A Chat With Charlie




Hey, My name is Charlie and this is my main gal Missy. My other girlfriend is Molly.
We are Soay sheep and rare for this area. In fact Soay sheep just started being raised in the United States in the 1990's. Our ancestors came from uninhabited St. Kilda island of Soay, west of Scotland. We have short tails so don't have to have ours docked. I think that is wonderful! We also have soft short wool that molts. Meaning you don't have to shear us cause we shed our wool in the spring and early summer. Soay sheep are low maintenance so you don't have to do a lot of hands on care to have us around. Me and the girls will eat out of your hand and you can get a few pets and rubs in while we eat but that's about it. We are very shy. Give us awhile to get use to you and make sure you aren't going to try to catch or harm us. We moved to Hidden Haven from a farm in Hendersonville, NC. Our other family went through a divorce and couldn't keep us any longer. And even though we have low fat tasty meat our new family has promised us we won't be in anyone's freezer or oven. We are promised we can stay together and enjoy life here at the homestead. My only complaint is the goats. They sure do boss everyone around here. Diva and I had a little one on one conversation. She now knows she isn't my boss. She doesn't like it but she has accepted it. The goats are always the first to get the cookies around here. If they don't get first dibs on the treats they push, shove and climb on the owners back until they get them. I don't blame our human family for giving those silly goats treats first. We also get our cookies and treats right after the goats and have to be careful not to stand too close to the fence or those goats reach through and grabbed our cookies! Mom and Dad make sure we get enough treats and pets though. They are real nice and don't try to make us do anything we don't want to do. We did share our pen with a little midget goat that was a pain in my backside. Our pen was the only place he couldn't escape from until they got a new pen built. He is now sharing a nice new pen with ViVi. She is another crazy goat that likes to escape and eat the chickens food. I just don't understand why you would get out of a pen that food, hay and treats are brought to you to go eat yucky chicken feed. I am glad I am not a goat! Molly and Missy are loving their new pen and house. They can share a stall together or sometimes come spend the night with me. I have been fixed so we can't have any babies. Mom thinks that's sad and is looking for a boyfriend for my girls. I'm not sure what I think about that but will wait and see who she finds first. She said it had to be a Soay and I know there aren't that many close by so it will be awhile. Well, I had better get back to my girls. I just wanted to let you people know that Hidden Haven has more than just goats around here. We are just as cute as the goats and we promise not to push and shove when you feed us cookies. Soay sheep have manners!

19 comments:

The Raggedy Girl said...

So Charlie is kind of a man about town with two nice lady friends. It must be so wonderful at your place.
Roberta Anne

Christy said...

I didn't know you had Soay! I've been wanting to get some Soay but haven't been able to find any close to me. I'm thinking I may go with Shetland instead, but if I can find some Soay they would be my first choice.

ChristyACB said...

Now that is awesome! I had no idea such sheep even existed. And no shearing...and no docking..what isn't to love?

So what are you going to do if you find a male and make Soay babies?

Anonymous said...

Hi Peggy, What a cute post and I learned so much more about sheep. Looks live Diva might have to do some "training!!!"

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Charlie, It's so nice to meet you and your two special girls!!! I'm sorry that the goats are so aggressive. Sounds like you are very calm and easy to take care of.. Wonder if your Mommy will consider getting more sheep and less goats???? ha ha (Don't tell Diva I said that!!!!)

I do think your Mommy should get another male for your girls--so your little family will grow!!! How do you feel about that, Charlie????

Come back and visit us again. We love hearing all about you.
Hugs,
Betsy

Jennifer said...

What pretty sheep they are!

Iowa Gal said...

I was trying to eat while I read your blog and had to stop as I was laughing so hard. Tell Missy Molly and the "new man" welcome to blog land.

rebel said...

So Charlie's got a little harem goin' on there. They look beautiful and interestin'. His post to us was very funny. He's got a good sense of humor.

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

Dear Charlie,
Y'all are so lucky to come live with Peggy. You are so beautiful darling, and polite. I'm so happy that y'all get to stay together. Take care,

Sandy@American Way Farm said...

What beautiful horns! Those goats should be thankful that Charlie's such a gentleman as they look like they could really hurt if he lost his cool. -Sandy

Kelly said...

Hi Peggy. The Soay sheep look alot like Icelandic Sheep. Not too far apart geographically so they may be related. We hope to get some bred girls next winter. Thank you for your advice. We still have the hen around but she just doesnt act like herself. We are hopeing that she pulls through. Thanks again.
Kelly

Jenny said...

That was a fun post. I knew there were sheep that shed so you didn't have to shear them, but didn't realize there were short-tailed sheep. Little baby sheep would be such a cute addition to all the baby goat pictures!
~Jenny~

Anonymous said...

Nice looking sheep and interesting facts about the breed!

Mary said...

Peggy,

I had a lot of catching up to do. Things have been hectic around here.

I love the sheep and found the information about them interesting. I had never heard of this breed before.

Enjoyed your meme and the post about budding the goats.

Take care and enjoy your beautiful homestead.

Blessings,
Mary

FarmHouse Style said...

Hey, Peggy. Thanks for introducing us to Missy, Molly and Charlie. I have never heard of Soay sheep. I am considering adding goats or sheep to our little piece of land... still have to convience my sweet Hubby first, so it may be awhile longer yet:-)

I will have to look into this breed.

Hope you have a great weekend, it is supposed to be a nice warm one here. YAY!!

Rhonda

DayPhoto said...

This was really interesting. I have never heard of these sheep so to see some and learn about them was great.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Dana said...

They are beautiful sheep. Are they new? I ove it when you translate what the animals are thinking?

amelia said...

Once more, what a woman you are!!

How wonderful that they won't be on anyones table to be eaten. I can't bear the thought of eating animals and have been vegetarian since I was old enough to make up my mind, about eleven I think. I can't even eat an egg!!

Dandelionmom said...

WOW!! veeery cool! what are going going to do with all your deliceous wool??