Monday, March 18, 2013

In Like a Lamb!

One of our two pregnant ewes gave birth on Saturday afternoon.  While we knew she could go 'any day now', it was generally expected  as an overnight event.  Not so!  Saturday evening was cold, and when I headed out to do the chores, only 3 of our four sheep ran into the barn.  "Uh-oh," I thought.  I found Mama in the lee of the barn, out of the wind, licking one baby, and just giving birth to the twin.  I had to help, then quickly rushed the babies into the comparative wamth of the barn.

It turned out to be a frenetic night, as we helped to get the babies dried and warm.  Luckily we had a heat lamp for our chickens, and were able to set that up in the lambing pen.  We helped to introduce the lambs to their mother's teets, and they managed to take a little milk.  Despite frigid temperatures for this time of year (it dipped to one below on the farm last night!), I am happy to report that both babies seem to be healthy and doing well!