The sheep have been so prompt in their lambing, combined with the cattle calving, that I haven't had a chance to sit down here and write about it. I know many of you have been eagerly awaiting photos of lambs, and I'm glad to finally have the time to share some here.
With our last cow having calved this morning, there is only Mabel the sheep to go and that will be the end of the calving and lambing for this year. These last few weeks have been so full on!
As we head into what looks like a hot dry Spring, things will probably remain just as busy but with the babies on the ground there will be a difference in the work that needs to be done.
And whilst the four-legged creatures may be nearly finished in the maternity department for one year, the chickens are still in full swing as far as going clucky and raising chicks is concerned.
None of the ewes have had twin lambs, which does not surprise me as they are all first time mamas. The baby-lamb count is at five, and if everything goes well Mabel will bring it up to a nice even six.
Plenty of babies for my first year breeding sheep, I think.
I've got two ewe lambs and three little ram lambs, one of which will be remaining as a ram for sale. The other two little ram lambs will be whethered, and are destined eventually for the freezer.
Tilly and Thumbelina are the ewe lambs, and what characters they are!
Thumbelina is obviously petite, but she is growing like a rocket and has so much personality for something so little. Picking up the lambs and cuddling them is something I'd dreamed about since they came home as weaners last year. I'm lucky that I can do this with these lambs, as Dorpers are such excellent mothers that they don't lose track of their young when you handle them, unlike some other breeds.
Thumbelina is obviously petite, but she is growing like a rocket and has so much personality for something so little. Picking up the lambs and cuddling them is something I'd dreamed about since they came home as weaners last year. I'm lucky that I can do this with these lambs, as Dorpers are such excellent mothers that they don't lose track of their young when you handle them, unlike some other breeds.
Lambs are so much fun to watch skipping about. The little group of them zoom around the paddock early in the morning and then again in the evening. With Rilla not being able to work them whilst the babies are so young, getting the sheep into their shed at night can be a little tricky with a bunch of mischievous lambs in tow.
This first season of lambing has been so enjoyable, and is something I hope to be able to enjoy again and again in years to come.
...........................
I hope there are good things happening for you at the moment!
Sarah x
Subscribe to Say! Little Hen via Email
Gorgeous, happy animals as always Sarah! Oh...and pretty light as always too x
ReplyDeleteThank-you so much Jane x
DeleteThis sounds like such a fun experience for your family Sarah! The little lambs are adorable, particularly that last new-born shot. I've never held a baby lamb, but my goats did have lots of babies and I was able to hold them in my arms, so a close second. Baby goats and baby lambs are about the cutest of all farm animals ;)
ReplyDeleteWendy
Indeed they are! I think it is their size that makes them so appealing. I'd like to have a goat one day :-)
Delete