Mom is Bo Sheep. She's some unknown cross of breeds. Dad is Jed, the Black Welsh herdsire. He caught me off guard back in August. I thought breeding season was still a ways off. My jaw dropped a little when he did the deed with Bo Sheep right in front of me one morning. At least I had the presence of mind to write it down, so I She did it all by herself. At dinner time I saw her standing around watching everyone else without eating. This is not like Bo. She is a big eater. Always. I wondered then if it was time. When I came back around 10, for night check, the two little ones were already on the ground. All I had to do was move them into their new pen, i.e., the former tack room.
They seem healthy, but to be honest, I'm not sure I'd be able to tell if they weren't. At least one of them has nursed, possibly both. That's hard to track when you can't tell them apart.
Bo Sheep doesn't like to be messed with, so I'm going to leave them be until morning. It's pretty cold out, maybe 20 degrees F right now, headed to the low teens. Still it's nowhere near as cold as it was last week when the mercury dropped out the bottom of the thermometer. Plus, they're protected from wind and drafts in the tack room. They'll be alright. Right?
I'll check back in on them in the morning.
Learn by Doing is the bet way. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteBo Sheep did good! Most animals will do just fine in the coldest weather if they are kept dry and sheltered from the wind. Sounds like you have that covered.
ReplyDeleteCute, cute, cute! They (sheep) seem to have the ability to take care of themselves and their lambs. I always felt their ears and little tummies to make sure the former was warm and the latter was round. Keep us updated.
ReplyDeleteStick your finger in their mouths. A cold mouth is a lamb that needs help and right now! Their tummies should be roundish and if you hear a funny sounding cry, that's another lamb that needs help right now! Not an hour later. Seriously. Stick them underneath the moms and make sure you have wagging tails. They won't wag if they aren't nursing. Just be really vigilant early on so you can catch problems before it's too late. And it can be too late pretty darn quick.
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