Last night, Grey, the other badger ewe in my flock, gave us triplets. A black, a black HST, and the very first broken grey badger faced....ram! Yay!
They made it through the night well, but in all honesty I haven't had much time to look in on them again.
With the impending rain forecast for last night, I chose to close Bridgette into a jug, to prevent any lambing outdoors in a thunderstorm.
This morning after checking on Grey and lambs, and feeding the most recent mothers, I checked in on Bridgette.
Showing signs of restlessness I opted to get closer and realized she was in labor. I thought she would have either big triplets or quads and in the last day or so was leaning toward quads, but its always a guess.
Fortunately hubby was off and could lend a pair of hands if needed, so I went about getting the lambing kit and camera and went to sit with her.
In short order she began pushing so I felt sure lambs would present soon.
Not so. She struggled and pushed several times and no head. This was, for me a clue. I began to think she was having big lambs similar to last year.
Time passed and eventually I could see a little nose but the shock was that it was enormous. Beyond any lamb I've seen born yet, and I realized, no hooves. Uh oh. Not good.
Donning OB gloves and exploring, I came to understand that the moment I've dreaded for years had arrived. Two lambs coming at once, and I couldn't decipher who was attached to what parts. I tried pushing the top lamb back, tugging the big lamb forward, and got Nada.
The big lamb's head presented fully but I was afraid if something didn't happen quickly he would die, yet my efforts were for naught.
I closed my eyes, felt around, prayed, felt some more and tried to think. I called for moral support and hubby came down to help. Worried for my ewe, and sure I would loose the lamb, I did it all over again, and then took a break while hubby did an exploratory as well.
We realized that the lamb had expired, and on my next exploration, to my dismay I felt lamb number three. So, one lamb with a head already born, one lamb above it, and now one underneath, all struggling to be born at once.
After unsuccessfully trying to push them back we jointly decided to simply let them all come forward at the same time, and that's what finally happened. Hubby pulled on the first and I the second, simultaneously, and out they came, with number three following shortly.
The first lamb was indeed huge, but the size of his head was bigger than any I had ever seen previously. He was all white. Sadly, with no life in him at all.
Bridgette started to lick and talk to the lambs immediately, and we took a breath to determine what other supplies we needed.
Leaving hubby to watch over, I went to get water, some Nuti Drench and more towels only to return and find lamb #5! The ewe had been carrying 5 lambs. Not four. Poor thing. What a good ewe having to put up with so much discomfort, effort to give birth, and then love all of her lambs. The good news is that she didn't seem to know she lost the first one.
So, all this by 7:30 a.m.
So many things went right. Hubby was home, she lambed inside, not in the rain and waiting till morning or we'd have been doing all this in the dark. Four fine, vigorous lambs - 2 ewe lambs, and 2 ram lambs. and mom is holding up. All is well that ends well.
Sorry about the lack of pics, but I have a ton of stuff to do yet, and could be lambing again later in the day. Pics will follow as soon as I can get to it!
Thank you Lord!
Regards,
Kathryn
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Twins for Tuulika!
Tuulika had twin lambs without any help from me. I had an idea she was close to lambing but despite keeping a close eye out all morning, I took time to weave and surprise!
Black badger and a piebald. I am delighted! The piebald I know is a ram. I think the black badger is a ewe but I haven't confirmed that yet.
All were moved to the jug and they are still getting acquainted with the udder.
Regards,
Kathryn
Black badger and a piebald. I am delighted! The piebald I know is a ram. I think the black badger is a ewe but I haven't confirmed that yet.
All were moved to the jug and they are still getting acquainted with the udder.
Regards,
Kathryn
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| Black Badger Faced Lamb - Ewe SOLD! |
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| Top left - piebald ram lamb - center black badger faced lamb and Tuulika |
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Hump Day
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| Luca's ram lamb |
Yesterdays' excitement with the new lambs, has dimmed to calm, with the new lambs all well, nursing and trotting after mom who is already restless, wanting to return to the flock.
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| Gibraltar - The topic of yesterdays' blog. |
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| Luca's ewe lamb So far we've had 13 lambs from 5 ewes. There are two sets of twins from first time dams, and three sets of triplets from experienced dams. Out of the 13 lambs born - 10 are rams. 6 are white. We still have ewes to go and it promises to be interesting in terms of numbers of lambs and colors. I can't wait! Regards, Kathryn |
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
A Shepherding Story
Today began like any other day. Early up to send hubby on his way to work, some devotionals, coffee, banana bread and emails, intermittently interspersed with visual checks on the ewes.
Around 6:30 I did a head count only to realize one was unaccounted for. Looking down under the "birthing" tree behold! there she was with one tiny black lamb on its feet.
Certain I had caught her early on I ran inside to don clothing, grab the lambing kit and camera and began to plot my path through the grazing ewes who would be sure I was carrying grain, and descend upon myself and Luca - the ewe in the midst of lambing, creating unwanted chaos.
I disconnected the electronet from the main electric fence but was unsuccessful in closing the gate fast enough to prevent greedy ewes from swarming.
I gave up trying to outwit them and made my way to Luca. With a sinking heart I could see two little bodies, motionless on the ground and I quickly assessed the situation.
Luca is one of my best ewes with triplets every year. Usually she is private when she lambs and it's common for me to find her with her lambs up, dry and nursing vigorously.
This time was different. It looked like a war zone and she herself was a bit uncertain of what just happened. I can only theorize as to the unfolding of the lambing, but herein begins the tale.
I saw two white lambs, one small, one fairly large and limbs all catywumpus, lower legs one way, twisted torso allowing upper legs to go the opposite. My first reaction was to move the limbs so that lamb wasn't twisted around and as I got closer I noted his eyes had begun to dull, like a recently dead animal does.
For some strange reason I'm never ready at first to accept death and this time I saw just a tiny, indescribable spark of life still in those rapidly dying eyes.
With a towel I scooped him up talking my chatter the whole time insisting he not leave. At the same time I turned to the other smaller lamb, also with those dead eyes and lifeless little body, and started yelling at him and rubbing him with the towel. A limb moved! A response, a good sign.
The lamb I was holding wrapped in a towel also got rubbed vigorously and inserted under my sweatshirt towel and all with only the head visable, thinking I'd begin the warming process while I figured out how I was going to move all of them to a jug, and revive the two that needed it.
In a few minutes I had devised a plan and I moved Luca and her stable, black ewe lamb out of the pasture carrying the others ( tricky and one day I'll describe it. Anyone watching would have thought me nuts but HEY, it worked ! )
I left her contentedly grazing and brought the other two inside to the bathroom - which any farmer knows it the backup room for livestock in the house.
The smaller of the two was shivering inside his towel but alert so I turned on the heat lamp, closed the door and went for the blow dryer, putting the still limp lamb inside a garbage bag with his head out, to trap the heat.
I did this for a time and realized I needed more extreme measures and turned to the kitchen sink. Filling it with hot water, I took the lamb tucked into the the garbage bag, and submerged him to allow the hot water to flow over and around him. I set the oven timer for ten minutes and waited. It went off, and I set it for another ten. 8 minutes into the second round, he began to shiver ever so slightly. His jaw was clenched tightly and what I could feel of the inside of his mouth was like ice. I wondered how I would ever get a tube in there once he warmed up.
I took him out of the sink after 20 minutes to check on everyone else. The bathroom lamb was attempting to stand, and Luca with her other lamb were still in the same place looking at ease so back to the sink we went. If anyone had wandered in they would have thought me up to something sinister I'm sure, and there were moments when I questioned if I was doing the right thing. Not being one to take defeat I tossed aside the doubt and added more hot water.
He began to shake more vigorously and I let the water into the bag itself to give even more warmth. He started to move his head on his own, and when the timer went off for the third time, I drained the water and took him out of the bag, towel wrapped, into the bathroom for more blower dryer heat.
Now, all three lambs are secure in their jug with mom, having been given or gotten on their own mom's colostrum which is like a magic elixir. The little guy who had the bath is wearing the trademark sweater for extra support with body heat regulation but mom has welcomed them back without hesitation. I'm a big fan of dams' raising their own lambs!
Still monitoring closely we are not out of the woods yet, so the story isn't over. So far it's looking good.
I've never worked so hard to save a lamb in my life - there is a first time for everything. May this be the last :-)
Pics to follow.
Thank You God for giving me the means to help this little guy pull through.
Time to go check and see how they are.
Regards,
Kathryn
Around 6:30 I did a head count only to realize one was unaccounted for. Looking down under the "birthing" tree behold! there she was with one tiny black lamb on its feet.
Certain I had caught her early on I ran inside to don clothing, grab the lambing kit and camera and began to plot my path through the grazing ewes who would be sure I was carrying grain, and descend upon myself and Luca - the ewe in the midst of lambing, creating unwanted chaos.
I disconnected the electronet from the main electric fence but was unsuccessful in closing the gate fast enough to prevent greedy ewes from swarming.
I gave up trying to outwit them and made my way to Luca. With a sinking heart I could see two little bodies, motionless on the ground and I quickly assessed the situation.
Luca is one of my best ewes with triplets every year. Usually she is private when she lambs and it's common for me to find her with her lambs up, dry and nursing vigorously.
This time was different. It looked like a war zone and she herself was a bit uncertain of what just happened. I can only theorize as to the unfolding of the lambing, but herein begins the tale.
I saw two white lambs, one small, one fairly large and limbs all catywumpus, lower legs one way, twisted torso allowing upper legs to go the opposite. My first reaction was to move the limbs so that lamb wasn't twisted around and as I got closer I noted his eyes had begun to dull, like a recently dead animal does.
For some strange reason I'm never ready at first to accept death and this time I saw just a tiny, indescribable spark of life still in those rapidly dying eyes.
With a towel I scooped him up talking my chatter the whole time insisting he not leave. At the same time I turned to the other smaller lamb, also with those dead eyes and lifeless little body, and started yelling at him and rubbing him with the towel. A limb moved! A response, a good sign.
The lamb I was holding wrapped in a towel also got rubbed vigorously and inserted under my sweatshirt towel and all with only the head visable, thinking I'd begin the warming process while I figured out how I was going to move all of them to a jug, and revive the two that needed it.
In a few minutes I had devised a plan and I moved Luca and her stable, black ewe lamb out of the pasture carrying the others ( tricky and one day I'll describe it. Anyone watching would have thought me nuts but HEY, it worked ! )
I left her contentedly grazing and brought the other two inside to the bathroom - which any farmer knows it the backup room for livestock in the house.
The smaller of the two was shivering inside his towel but alert so I turned on the heat lamp, closed the door and went for the blow dryer, putting the still limp lamb inside a garbage bag with his head out, to trap the heat.
I did this for a time and realized I needed more extreme measures and turned to the kitchen sink. Filling it with hot water, I took the lamb tucked into the the garbage bag, and submerged him to allow the hot water to flow over and around him. I set the oven timer for ten minutes and waited. It went off, and I set it for another ten. 8 minutes into the second round, he began to shiver ever so slightly. His jaw was clenched tightly and what I could feel of the inside of his mouth was like ice. I wondered how I would ever get a tube in there once he warmed up.
I took him out of the sink after 20 minutes to check on everyone else. The bathroom lamb was attempting to stand, and Luca with her other lamb were still in the same place looking at ease so back to the sink we went. If anyone had wandered in they would have thought me up to something sinister I'm sure, and there were moments when I questioned if I was doing the right thing. Not being one to take defeat I tossed aside the doubt and added more hot water.
He began to shake more vigorously and I let the water into the bag itself to give even more warmth. He started to move his head on his own, and when the timer went off for the third time, I drained the water and took him out of the bag, towel wrapped, into the bathroom for more blower dryer heat.
Now, all three lambs are secure in their jug with mom, having been given or gotten on their own mom's colostrum which is like a magic elixir. The little guy who had the bath is wearing the trademark sweater for extra support with body heat regulation but mom has welcomed them back without hesitation. I'm a big fan of dams' raising their own lambs!
Still monitoring closely we are not out of the woods yet, so the story isn't over. So far it's looking good.
I've never worked so hard to save a lamb in my life - there is a first time for everything. May this be the last :-)
Pics to follow.
Thank You God for giving me the means to help this little guy pull through.
Time to go check and see how they are.
Regards,
Kathryn
Friday, May 2, 2014
May 2, 2014 - Twin ram lambs for Annie!
Today was a busy day to start with plenty to get done around house and farm, as well as off site errands to run.
I kept checking the sheep at intervals to see if anyone was showing signs of labor, as I went about my various chores.
Around 12:30 we were departing on said - off site errands when I noticed Annie, our yearling ewe addition from Stillmeadow Finnsheep, in 2013, lying under the "birthing tree" with two tiny lambs.
One was up and vigorously looking for the teats, the other was shivering on the ground not making any noise or attempting to stand.
Mom, a first timer, was still trying to sort everything out.
Hubby and I worked to get mom and lambs up and into a jug out of the increasing wind, and stabilize the group.
Hubby is excellent at coaching newborns on the fine art of finding the teat so he began with a small syringe ( minus the needle of course ) filled with colostrum from Annie, and introduced it to the lamb. He began to show signs of increasing energy, and with help from Hubby, stood, baaed and actively sought, found and nursed from mom. All good.
We departed for errands sure that the new family was well, only an hour behind schedule.
Not too shabby! :-)
Tomorrow promises to be a really busy day if my calculations are correct.
Regards,
Kathryn
Pics to follow .
I kept checking the sheep at intervals to see if anyone was showing signs of labor, as I went about my various chores.
Around 12:30 we were departing on said - off site errands when I noticed Annie, our yearling ewe addition from Stillmeadow Finnsheep, in 2013, lying under the "birthing tree" with two tiny lambs.
One was up and vigorously looking for the teats, the other was shivering on the ground not making any noise or attempting to stand.
Mom, a first timer, was still trying to sort everything out.
Hubby and I worked to get mom and lambs up and into a jug out of the increasing wind, and stabilize the group.
Hubby is excellent at coaching newborns on the fine art of finding the teat so he began with a small syringe ( minus the needle of course ) filled with colostrum from Annie, and introduced it to the lamb. He began to show signs of increasing energy, and with help from Hubby, stood, baaed and actively sought, found and nursed from mom. All good.
We departed for errands sure that the new family was well, only an hour behind schedule.
Not too shabby! :-)
Tomorrow promises to be a really busy day if my calculations are correct.
Regards,
Kathryn
Pics to follow .
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