The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: devonlad on March 15, 2014, 07:29:37 pm

Title: And away we go
Post by: devonlad on March 15, 2014, 07:29:37 pm
Probably terribly tedious on here of all places yawnnnnn but first lambs of the year popped out unaided and unabetted ?? in time for breakfast this morning. one of each from a ewe who we came close to calling it a day with last year, following a problematic lambing, followed by her not letting milk down and us having to bottle feed. glad we were soft cos they popped out in not time and were up and about and guzzling away before we could blink .fingers crossed that the next two weeks are just as easy )ooops shouldn't have said that) advanced info likely to have some surplus Wiltshire horns later !!
Title: Re: And away we go
Post by: goosepimple on March 15, 2014, 07:36:27 pm
Not tedious at all Devonlad, very nice and a good start to your lambing.  Lets hear it for the woolies :thumbsup:
Title: Re: And away we go
Post by: kanisha on March 15, 2014, 07:37:03 pm
 :love: lovely
Title: Re: And away we go
Post by: Mammyshaz on March 15, 2014, 07:43:47 pm
Gorgeous , congratulations.
Not tedious at all, need all the piccies TAS members can give as I'm working full time until summer so unable to help at lambing this year  :'(
Title: Re: And away we go
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 15, 2014, 08:49:18 pm
so unable to help at lambing this year  :'(

We'll miss you!   :wave: :-*
Title: Re: And away we go
Post by: Bramblecot on March 16, 2014, 09:31:35 am
Not at all tedious.  I'm glad your ewe did well this year :D .  About 10 days and I'll be starting.  I hope the  :sunshine: :sunshine: lasts for a while.
Title: Re: And away we go
Post by: debbigord on March 16, 2014, 09:53:33 am
Lovely! Super pics
Title: Re: And away we go
Post by: Rosemary on March 17, 2014, 08:57:55 am
Congratulations! We start in 10 days or so. :excited: :tired:
Title: Re: And away we go
Post by: devonlad on March 23, 2014, 03:26:54 pm
A week on and now have 3 sets of twins. Pleased they all made it out though this morning's arrivals pretty fraught.  Ewe who's always lambed without a hitch before had first one with headttotally out and not a foot in sight. Managed to sort it and got second one out straight away as ewe was flat out and seemingly no energy to push.  Several hours on she seems ok but first lamb noticeably less lively having clearly had a pretty exhausting time of it. One of the less enjoyable birthing experiences and fingers crossed for little chap whose getting much tlc. Glad of course all currently alive but first 6 lambs have yielded 5 boys.  Remainder under strict instructions to pop out girls.
Title: Re: And away we go
Post by: devonlad on March 28, 2014, 07:11:28 pm
by way of a neat ending Lucy, our first home bred ewe to go on and have her own produced the last lambs of the year at 5 this morning. sadly the first of triplets, was missed by just minutes and failed to break out of the birth sac. For a first timer I guess twins is better but a shame to have our only fatality of the year at the last minute. and a ewe which we could have done with- the freezer gonna be bulging later in the year. Just been out in the field to feed the ewes and all bar this mornings arrivals out skipping and jumping in the sunshine. makes the lack of sleep, the moments of high drama, worry and stress all suddenly worthwhile-roll on next year
Title: Re: And away we go
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 29, 2014, 09:10:48 am
Sounds like a pretty successful lambing!  And as to Lucy's twins - focus on the live lambs ;)   And yes, she'll be far better off with twins than trying to rear three.

It's extra special when the ewe is home-bred, isn't it. :hugsheep: