Like a walk through the country side living on a small farm is full of daily surprises, sometimes wonderful and amazing, and other times puzzling and sad. I hope you will walk with me as I live out my dream of living on this tiny farm. You will come to know the dogs, cats, Shetland sheep and chickens that make up this farm and what goes into keeping them happy and healthy. Come and join the journey with me.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Luna Lambs!

Luna & her big Black & White Ram lamb & little moorit (musket) ewe


Luna was acting fishy Monday evening--hanging out in the barn by herself and I really thought she would lamb by the morning. At 10:00 p.m. she was out laying with the other sheep. At 2:30 a.m. she was hanging out in the barn with Chickie acting innocent. She ate a few bites at feeding time at 6:00 a.m. At 7:30 a.m. when I left for work, she was laying around by herself in the barn doing absolutely nothing. At around 10:30 a.m. I called to give my Mom a heads up that Luna might lamb. Mom went to check on her a little later.

Moorit/Musket Ewe lamb


Smirslet/Flecket Black Ram Lamb

Luna had two lambs, dry and up and going. I decided to take a half day vacation and left work at 12:30. Because the ewes are still in full fleece I always worry that perhaps a weaker lamb might not be able to the udder.

By the time I got home, Luna had moved her little family into the Shetland barn. The lambs looked good and thrifty. Eventually I got them settled into a freshly bedded stall in the main barn, got their navel's dipped, some nutridrench in their mouths and trimmed up Luna's wool around her udder.



By later in the afternoon the babies were hopping around. So far, so good! My Mom told me when she called that one was spotted---a bigger lamb, so she was sure it was a he (and because ALL the spotted lambs around here seem to be rams, she was correct!). By her description I was pretty sure he was not an Ag Flecket. She also said the other lamb was an ewe (again just guessing) and was black with white on her head. She hit it all correct except the ewe lamb is moorit (probably musket, not sure yet).

Fairlight Jackdaw---sire of the lambs


Jackdaw as a newborn

This year's Jackdaw son

They are both very cute and Fairlight Jackdaw's first lambs. The little ram looks allot like his daddy although his markings are different.



And here is Lark's not so little son--Jasper--out and about in the big world

Two ewes down and three to go!

14 comments:

Unknown said...

More beauties--you're such a pro. I'll be in Republic for 2 weeks as of April 6th, and hope to meet you and the lambies, cats, dogs, chix . . .

Vicki Lane said...

Love these spotty babies!

Deb said...

Oooooooooh, they are so darn cute :) I love the spots as well - I get one once in a great while. So glad all went well. That's the way lambing should be :)

Michelle said...

All that flash - congratulations! I've come to the conclusion that sheep can be good "advertisers" or totally sneaky about when they are going to lamb. None of mine have been very sneaky yet, but I keep hoping they are going to (pleasantly) surprise me!

Barbie said...

Just Jack is now "Grandpa Jack!"

Congrats on two more beautiful, healthy lambs - and kudos to Luna for her excellent mothering skills.

Roses and Lilacs said...

They could not be any cuter! Love the color variety.
Marnie

Shula said...

What great looking lambs. That ram lamb is a looker. Congratulations on 2 healthy babies.

Brenda said...

Congratulations! They are SO cute! :)

Unknown said...

Too darn cute! I love the lip markings on the ram lambs like that! Your lambs are looking good!

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

You've got darling babies Tammy. So precious.

We're still waiting here. Thought we'd have goat kids this morning, I kept checking throughout the night, but today Clara is up and about although hanging near the barn.

AJ-OAKS said...

I have never seen such beautifully marked lambs. Just love the coloring! And those sweet little faces!

Tina T-P said...

Our Luna's had their babies with in 24 hours of each other and I agree that the ewe lambs look very much the same - I loved your Noah story - those kitties have really wrangled their way into your heart haven't they? And they look so innocent when they are sleeping - T.

Kathy said...

Absolutely wonderful, Tammy. I am so happy for you.
May your other ewes lamb as easily and have as beautiful babies as these two.

Tammy said...

Hi Eileen, I hope I get to meet you! That would be fantastic.
Vicki, I do too--just wish they were little girlie lambs!
I agree Deb, and hope that the rest have their lambs safely as well.
Michelle, that sure is true. I have certain family lines that will seclude themselves for up to two days before lambing, others just plop them out after breakfast! ;-)
You got it--Grandpa Jack :-) And now you have Jack babies on the ground yourself.
Thanks Shula,Marnie,Brenda & Kristi, they are so cute at that age!
Thanks Joanna--looks like you have babies in spades now! Litters of them! ha
Thanks AJ & Kathy, love the spots (even if some of them will fade) and love even more when they have them safely delivered.
Tina--that is pretty funny that the "Lunas" lambed so close together,and have virtual 'twin' daughters. On the kittens, yes, I guess they have. They are 'fambily' now! Even if sometimes they are so rotten they drive me insane(r).
Tammy