Time To Leave the Nest, in a manner of speaking

Glenn set the boundaries of the flerd's next move with electric fencing. The norm was one wire for the cattle; but now with the sheep, Glenn ran two wires hoping that two would be sufficient to retain the sheep within the limits of the day's feeding area. Before he was able to correct a 'short', the evening light darkened.  The release of the flerd would have to wait until morning.

I drifted in and out of a soft sleep all night listening to a few bleating sheep and a few bellowing cows spending their final night in the barn lot. Then I heard something  different, in the same location as the flerd; a series of short barks that kept repeating. 

I woke Glenn and we went out to investigate.  I was armed with a flashlight.  Glenn was armed with a flashlight and a '22'.  Upon reaching the fence dividing the yard and the paddock, Glenn 'ID'ed the sound as that of a fox.  Then, there was silence.  It was 2:00 AM.  Glenn went back to sleep.  I was fully awake, so I went to the office and paid bills. (Note: Fox do not attack nor do they eat sheep, chicken on the otherhand....)

Later in the morning, Glenn opened the paddock gate and gave a call.  It was time for the flerd to leave the security of the barn lot and begin the feeding rotation on the grasses of the main pastureland.  The cattle are at ease with this routine.  But, this is a first for the sheep.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that the fence will hold the sheep in. The cattle moved quickly onto the fresh grass with the sheep happily following behind. Sheep are natural followers.  Let the munching begin!

Glenn held the two steers, that had been keeping Ember company, back. They did not get to join the main flerd.  The South Poll was not pleased with the decision and jumped over the fence into the middle paddock - out, but not with the flerd.  I watched as this steer paced the fence. In an instant, the steer was chasing a small, red fox along the wooded fence line until the fox ducked, probably, into his den.  This had to be the same fox that we heard earlier in the morning.  What a thrill!  For me, witnessing a fox is a rare event. In any case, I think we might want to rethink Ember's company.  She seems comfortable with the three bucks as her new companions.  I do not think we need to include the two steers any longer.

Meanwhile, a few of the sheep have experienced the 'hot' wire and have been initiated.  So far, the majority of the sheep are following the rules.  But, the day is young.  There is still plenty of time to be rebellious.