...or lamb...Lambing has officially started here on the little farm. Lark presented me with this large strapping ram lamb around 9:30 a.m. Both mom and son seem to be doing great. He is a terribly cute little grey flecket who resembles his sire, Jeffery when he was a young'un.
I did end up helping out a bit, as Lark wasn't making much progress on her own. I'm fully confident she would have had him by herself if I wasn't here, as he was presented normally, just very large. He has a very broad head and large horn buds. A few strategic pulls while she contracted and he came out fine. Lark is being a great and attentive mom. Her lamb,Eve, from last year is very confused. She hears her momma calling her, and she answers, but her momma isn't paying any attention to her!
After the fellow was out there followed the usual struggle to find the milk bar, with all the wool giving false hope to the little fellow. Finally all was well, with him catching on and getting his tummy full. I thought she was going to have a second lamb, and kept hanging around, but eventually I headed to the house to give her 'some space'. She ended up passing the afterbirth about an hour after lambing.
I know some of these details aren't spellbinding, but they help me out to have them recorded from year to year. :-)
The next 'probably' is on the 25th, so there is a pretty big gap in there between lambs. However I do have Willow who is a question mark. In the past Willow has always bred later and lambed later, so I'll be surprised if she goes soon. Hopefully shearing will go as scheduled Saturday so that the rest of the lambs will have an easier time not having to deal with all that wool jungle.
Have a great week.
21 comments:
How beautiful he is!phylliso
Precious!
Now you're going to want a name for that little fella soon aren't you? Can't wait to know what you'll decide. He is so gorgeous. I wish I could have a cuddle with him.
Blessings, Star
He's beautiful, Tammy! And huge. Hugs to Lark.
Eileen Baird
Congrats! So what did you put in the water that I can use this fall? I'd like my girls to breed and lamb a little earlier (without having to resort to artificial means).
B.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.
It always so nice when they lamb or kid on the weekend when there is time to spend with them or be there if they need some help! Glad to hear mom and son are doing well and lambing is off to a good start:)
Thanks everyone for your compliments! Of course being first lamb they always seem the cutest and most clever little things.
Star--names..always a challenge it seems!
Eileen--he is a big boy. Lark did great with him. Seems like when they single they always have these little bruisers.
Michelle, No tricks here. I don't use a teaser ram and I've come to the conclusion it must be genetic. I have had these early cyclers and they are always from the same family line. Lark did the very same thing last year. She lambed about two weeks before anyone else. Her half sister used to do the same thing. I also have a family of ewes that drag around and don't get the job done until up in April. Kinda strange. I think the only way to get early lambs (naturally) is to go to a different breed! ha....Not much help I know..
Tammy
Will he stay that lovely color? I know with horse foals they change. Of course when he is covered in heavy wool, the colors will all be mingling.
Marnie
He's awesome Tammy! I love the grey flecket lambs. I often help a little with those big headed boys. Like you, I'm sure mama ewe could handle it but I suspect she appreciates the help just as much as any female would!
Congratulations on a very colorful start to lambing!
Oh, Tammy...what a beautiful baby! Lark sure did herself proud. :)
It will be interesting to see his fleece as he grows - will the spotting still be noticeable as he gets older?
This is a great way to start the week!
Congratulations!
Marnie, much like a grey foal, he will fade out to a grey as he matures. Usually the firt couple years fleeces will be gorgeous as they will be mingled dark and light silver.
Nancy, I've missed my little wild fleckets the last couple years. I decided to use Jeff on a few this year, as I'd really like another nice grey ewe, and have none from him, although my chances have dwindled now to one ewe....
Kathy--he will likely fade to a medium to light grey as he matures. There will still be some spotting on the head, with a come and go seasonal of dark and light. Until he is probably four or five his skin will show mottled black and white when he is sheared, but the spotting won't be noticeable in full fleece.
Now that things have started, I'm anxious for the rest of them to arrive!
Tammy
Oh he's very handsome boy, what great markings. Congratulations.
He's so cute! We had our first lambs of the season on Saturday, one ram and one ewe. I just posted pictures this afternoon if you want to check them out. :)
he's darling. yes, what's his name?
I may be getting some goat babies around Mar 25th, if Cahoot got the job done the first time around.
Oh my goodness! He is just precious as precious can be! I know I am coming in late here but ... I call dibs on him if you wether him. His fleece will blend beautifully with our black and white Angoras.
Jim is going to have a fit LOL you know he said look for ewes. ;-)
Congrats on the new arrival!
Please pop across to my Blog today. I have left a little something for you :)
Blessings, Star
Oh my gosh he is a cutie! His coloring is beautiful. Looking forward to the next one! :)
What striking coloring. Grey and black are my favorite colors of wool to spin. I'm glad you were there for the delivery just in case and to help Lark.
easylivingthehardway.blogspot.com
What a handsome boy! Congrats!
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