Well, two ewes down, two more to go. I walked into the barn to check on the ewes and there was a spotted lamb, brown and white, dried off and hopping around. And two momma ewes bleating. Uh oh. Where is the other lamb. The other lamb was behind one of the posts and both ewes were licking and making noises at the babies. But whose was whose? I sat and watched them for a while before realizing that the bigger ewe was just starting to deliver her twins, and the other ewe had already had hers. I put the mom and twins into a lambing jug and set out to watch the next birth. Emily and Kevin came running and we all watched the next mom push out twin ewe lambs. First the feet, then a nose, then sploosh, done. Emily was grossed out by the amniotic fluid in the bag as it was haning there from the mom. Kevin didnt care. We named the first one Baaaabara. We are still deciding on the second one but Im pushing for Clarice. The second lamb presented backwards, normal for sheep, but since I was there and the mom seemed to be going a whole lot slower with the second lamb, when the feet were 6 or 8 inches out, I helped with a slow quarter turn and a steady pull as the ewe pushed. Easy as pie. Lamb Number 4 slid right out. Clarice, I should say. The ewe lambs are much smaller than the first two ram lambs. I put jackets on the ewe lambs. The rams were too big for the jackets I had. The moms are doing fine. Both are eating and the babies are nursing. Ill have to get up the gumption this weekend to do the castrating with the elastrator band. Another first. Its always much easier the second time.
Plus, Im a guy.
7 comments:
Excellent! The midwifery gets easier every time you do it, but it sounds like y'all are tested and ready now. :) Congrats.
Oh, and you should name one of them Wagg'n II, Electric Boogaloo.
Yes, definitely Clarice, and did I see a posted time at 5:39 am? So your bedtime is at 8 pm now? How life changes in less than a year. Amazing! The lambs are so cute. Did you know that's why your grandmother refused to eat lamb?
Im not sure why it says posted at 5:39 am, unless that is pacific time or something. Im not up before 6:30 and Im definitely not posting at 5:39am. Im guessing its pacific time.
Plus, Im usually asleep at midnight or later. Im working on 6 or maybe 7 hours of sleep anymore.
Never assume.
Welcome to the world, baby lambs!
Is it common for sheep to have twins?
Do the Mama sheep nurse both babies at the same time?
Twins or triplets are common. They can both nurse at the same time. Not on the same udder. :)
Post a Comment