Double Delivery

Just when I was wondering when we would have more lambs, two more came. This morning both 77 and Giovanna delivered just hours apart.  Our last little guy has been doing great, nursing, and gaining a ton so we've had a bit of a break.  I knew it wouldn't last for long.

When I went to check the sheep this morning at about  8:30, there was a little lamb standing next to 77.  At first, I just looked at him and thought "you look small."   In my pre-coffee state, it didn't register right away that he wasn't just one of the many lambs in the main barn.  But I quickly realized what had happened.     He looked great though, standing right up with everyone else, already cleaned and dry and nursing - Good job Mama!

We got everyone else outside and let them have some time before moving them into the small lamb jug for their bonding days.  He seems to be doing fine.

77 with her ram lamb

We were finishing up with that when some friends came over to see the lambs so we took them on a tour and did the weighing rounds.  All the lambs were doing great, nursing, and frolicking with each other.

Our friends were just getting ready to leave and we were about to go in when Jay calls that Giovanna is coming!  Our guests decided to stay to see the birth and within half an hour, Giovanna had delivered another ram lam.  She has been another all-star mom and they are doing great too!  

Giovanna and her ram lam just after delivery

I think that the ewes that have seen all the other lambs nursing understand about mothering better than the ones who delivered weeks ago and had never seen a lamb before.  I think next year, we should make sure that the experienced mothers lamb first so that the younger ewes can learn from them.

It was a good morning.  Two successful deliveries without complication, a beautiful day, and a morning with friends.    There are only 4 more ewes that haven't lambed.  At first we thought one or two of them weren't pregnant but we're pretty sure they all are now.   Lambing season continues . . .

some lambs sunning themselves

On another note, Jay tried his hand at shearing yesterday. We have one shorn sheep - she was not a happy camper.  Now he just has to do the other 15!  Oh - and we need to figure out how to do something with all that wool.

Jay's first shearing job (64)