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I'm afraid I don't know much about it, Jane. What I do know, is that sheep *need* salt to be able to process their food and absorb whatever nutrients, trace minerals and micro/macro nutrients. The mineral mix I offer the sheep free choice contains salt, so I don't worry much about it.

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I’ve a new take on mammalian blood and lung physiology. It dismisses the gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

The lungs and blood are carrying salt water.

The red blood cells are rehydrated in the alveoli capillaries. Not oxygenated.

The red blood cells have two states.

Dark or dehydrated

Light or hydrated

Hydration equals salt plus water.

Oxygen is a product of air.

Air is stripped of moisture/water to make it extremely dry.

Eg medical oxygen has 67ppm of water.

Industrial oxygen has 0.5ppm of water.

Oxygen exists only as a manufactured product and is not in the air we Breathe.

Just as maple sap is dehydrated to become maple syrup. Their is no maple syrup found in the wilds.

Air is measured by its moisture or humidity.

Lungs prefer 30-50% humidity.

But at the alveoli sacs the air must reach 100% humidity or dew point.

The respiratory mucosa must add salt and moisture to each inhalation. Hence salt is important for lung health.

The blood is carrying saline water. Pregnancy and feeding babies requires more fluid capacity.

Water can only be retained if there is sufficient salt. Breast milk contains a lot of salt so the baby can retain water and grow.

Low salt or dehydration causes low blood pressure. This raises heart rate as compensation.

I’ve three articles that explain how I logically reached my assertions - plainly and easy to comprehend.

I think it would help your understanding and care for your beautiful lambs and ewes if you pondered my articles.

My third article

How does salt restriction lead to heart dis-ease ...

Lists the symptoms of dehydration. It’s a good place to start, as a first aid response.

Eg a headache is not an indicator to take Panadol. It’s a sign of dehydration. Once you know the symptoms, it’s a easy to correct with a salty snack or drink.

The ubiquitous saline drip is rehydrating the red blood cells as the fluid comes in contact with the passing red blood cells.

Hydration is where healing takes place. Dehydration is where dis-ease begins.

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Since reading your Substack on the necessity of salt in the diet I have increased mine and I feel much better. Thank you for well curated articles.

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Thank you for your feedback

It’s a pleasure to share what I learn

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What a lovely, uplifting piece with the ultimate prize of beautiful new baby lambs! I lived on a working farm for the better part of a year beginning just before lambing season. Watching the mamas in the weeks leading up to lambing followed by the coming of the babies was just wonderful. It must be so satisfying for you to participate and assist in that process. Enjoy all the new babies. More Lamb photos, please!

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This was fascinating to read. I love when animals take on other babies as their own. It's such a near force of nature.

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It really is! Thank you, Kristi!

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I finally got a chance to read the whole thing... now I wanna hold the baby, toooooo! The calves (and their mommas) are not keen on playing with me. Lol.

Enjoy the season!

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Thank you! I sure will!

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What an exciting time. I've never had sheep/lambs but as a child we kept pigs and I loved it when we got to take one inside to bottle feed it and keep it warm. I always felt a special bond with these little ones.

Hope you get some sleep. xxx

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Thank you Wendy! I'm a big fan of the lunchbreak cat-nap, lol.

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Good idea. So am I but I have no lambs to deal with xx

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Super mom Helen gets all the treats!

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I’d be interested in your knowledge of salt and lambing

Pregnancy requires more blood and fluids to carry and then feed the babies.

My third article is titled

How does salt restriction lead to heart dis-ease and fear based reactionary thinking?

Salt restriction brings on line the adrenals. Not good for day ti day functioningZ

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It sounds like you reside on quite the farm! We only have a handful of chickens, but we cultivate oranges, almonds, and alfalfa. Every spring, a friend lends us her sheep to graze the grass. I'll include a photo in the notes! Wishing you a wonderful day caring for God's remarkable creatures.

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It's very rewarding, for sure, Diane! Thank you for reading and for taking the time to comment. More lamb pics coming up!!!🥰😆🥳

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