The sheep are still in the same two groups. Spot and his four girlfriends reside in and around the Ram-ada Inn; I've dubbed the Sheep Sheraton "The Island of Misfit Toys," populated as it is with two old ewes, two creaky wethers; a middle-aged ewe with lower jaw/teeth problems, and a bouncy pest who may be closer in age to a yearling but definitely looks and acts more like a lamb.
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| Round and waddling Bernadette on the left, Spot on the right |
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| "Who are you calling ROUND?" |
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| Left to right: Blaise, Bridget, Bette, Bernadette; the middle two are longer-bodied ewes. |
Spot has clearly done his job; all four of his consorts are wide and a couple of them are even waddling. I told a friend that lambs were at least two months away, but I still need to start thinking about logistics. Bing and Bittersweet are no longer spry enough to live with a ram in the prime of life, but Spot can't live alone. Even living next to the wethers with only a pipe gate between as he did when he first arrived made him frustrated, but that may be my only option, along with moving the four ladies in waiting back to the Sheraton. The Sheraton needs to be cleaned out and rebedded (for which I must enlist begrudging manpower) before lambing jugs can be set up; I only have the materials to create two. What am I going to do if everyone lambs around the same time? There is an empty stall in the barn; it would be possible to turn that into a maternity/nursery ward if Rick didn't object too much (he's already grumbling that we're going to be overrun by sheep). Clearly the situation needs more thought and a significant amount of effort.
But this evening I looked back at my records (otherwise known as this blog), and saw with a jolt that I put the breeding group together on September 15. Lambing could begin in as soon as a MONTH! Gulp.
Getting ready to be the midwife at . . .
9 comments:
The "from above" pictures make your sheepies look like burritos. I know you'll figure out what to do to set up your maternity ward, but with only (possibly) one month to go, you'd better get crackin'! Or somehow manage to get your helpers crackin'. Good luck! ;o)
I need more than luck, Mama Pea! Is your industrious 'north woods' crew available???
My Dad raised sheep when I was a little boy on the farm (only about a quarter mile from where I live now). Lambing season was always fun. I liked watching how he manipulated lambs and ewes so everybody had a home, and nobody went wanting. I remember being especially curious as to how ewes who lost their lambs could be coaxed to accept another, and how sometimes the ewes would reject their own! Late cold nights in the lambing barns with my Dad were special times.
I also have to tell you, it still cracks me up to see your ladies dressed in their dinner jackets having a meal. We never had such sophisticated sheep....
Cheers
Our daughter is the one who loves to travel in this family, and if she weren't tied down with her job as a nanny she'd probably be able to be coaxed into a working vacation on your little homestead! ;o)
How very exciting!!!
Oh, boy!! Babes in only a month?!! What is the gestation period? I can't remember! In any case, I hope you get beautiful babies, whenever they come! I hope all goes well!
" two old ewes, two creaky wethers; a middle-aged ewe with lower jaw/teeth problems, and a bouncy pest"....
And a partridge in a pear tree??? Sorry, couldn't resist.
Can't wait to see the lambs!
Glad to provide some levity, Tim. 😉
Are you SURE, Mama Pea? Our weather is kinda nice right now. 😊
Elaine, I'm psyching up my inner Dr Herriott!
Jeanne, a month from now is the earliest for full-term lambies. Sheep gestation is five months, but I don't know when anyone got bred, except for Bette on Oct. 9.
At least the partridge doesn't need a lambing jug, Mokihana! 🤣
Babies!!!!!
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