All beginnings are tough and that first winter was no exception. They arrived at the coldest period of a cold Jämtlandske winter. They arrived during one of the snowiest winters for many years. There living accomodation was two stlables which had been empty for nearly half a century. Accomodation was allready cramped and the two new-born lambs showed that I could probably expect more youngsters soon.
  What on earth had I let myself in for?
.
Picture
70 emancipated sheep, many of which I knew to be preganant take a lot of feeding.     
  
Långbacken is situated in an isolated area where no-one has kept animals for years.
Luckily one farmer in the village still has cows and he was willing to lend me some haylage..
 
I then managed to find a farmer who was willing to sell a large quantity 60 miles away.
Picture


And a waggoner who had the time to bring the precious cargo to the village.
 
Water was a nightmare. I have a good supply on the farm. I have my own well and deep pipes so that it does not freeze even in the hardest of winters. But how to haul it twice a day to all my sheep? Come to think of it, I fed the sheep 4 times a day that first winter, reasoning that they would have a better chance of surviving if they had a constant supply of fresh food.
Picture
Here was my water solution. On the photo I am using it to renew the battery for the electric fence but this kick sledge also works perfectly for transporting a 20 litre water can.
 
  During that winter I found muscles I never knew existed. And I was rewarded. I did not loose a sheep and many gave birth to fine healthy lambs.



 
Of course there was also ample hay for my horses too