First Lambs of 2008

Blackberry Winter proud momma of two moorit rams. At first glance I thought they were black, but both are actually moorit based. Haven't been able to tell if either has 'sugar-lips' yet. These boys look remarkably alike! I was impressed that two black based Shetland's produced moorit twins. Their sire is Locksfield Griffin. Oh, and only one teensy speck of white on one of them! At 9:30 p.m. Friday I did a final barn check, and nothing seemed to be happening. (Maybe I was in denial a little, since they weren't due til next week!). At 2:45 a.m. I dragged myself up to the barn, and on the way saw a tiny black lamb size shadow reflecting on the wall. Hmmm. Blackberry had them both without any problems and both were almost completely dry.

Hope (Merino/Dorset) who was 'scheduled' (ha ha) to lamb first came in on the heels of Blackberry, with these two lovely little half Shetland ewe lambs. At 3:30 a.m. Hope was demurely laying in a hay pile with her mother and sisters. At 8:30 a.m. she had one very dry fluffy white baby and one very wet shivering baby. I will elaborate on the story later, but there was some confusion, with a certain Grandma sheep (Gracie) who was helping her darling daughter (Hope) out. Then said Grandma obviously decided Hope didn't need two, and she'd just have one of them, thank you very much. All is well. Gracie is sweet, Hope is clueless, babies have two mommies (or will, once they are out of the jug). "Free" the little girl in the doggie sweater was the one who got chilled before getting cleaned up. She and I had some tense moments, as she continued chilling and refusing to eat. She seems fine now, all bouncy and curious. "Liberty" the fluffier white one in the bottom picture is the one coveted by Gracie. Oh, and did I mention it was in the low teens that night? Brrr. Both ewes had the good sense to go into the barn to lamb though. Good job girls!

Sorry for the blurry pictures. Everything looked a bit blurry that day. :-)