Kick'n back weekend

Now that lambing is almost over it has been nice to relax a little bit, not worrying about any possible difficult deliveries. 

When I went out to feed everyone this evening.
This little guy found a comfortable place to take a snooze.

 Another ewe resting with her lambs.

As I move about to feed them the lambs start playing.
It's just amazing how fast they grow, already drinking water and eating.

Today it has rained most of the day, leaving a sloppy mess in the barn yard yet with the warm weather everything has turned green today.
Enjoy the lambs wanting to run.

#128 Guiselle

We've had a moment to catch our breath.

Last evening while feeding the bottle babies

(one from the prolapse ewe, Pumpkin and the 

C-section ewe, #103's twins)

I noticed that Guiselle was in labor.

I was really hoping for spots from her.

Everytime she has ever had lambs they 

have had spots, but always faded away by fall.

Guiselle was bred to Gordon, who is spotted.

Not this time!

She delivered twins, solid black lambs with a little spattering

of white on their heads. 

One ram, one ewe.

#168, #110, #107 & #201 Lark

We had a late evening delivery with #168 on 3/22/20.

She was bred to the border cheviot/shetland ram and 

delivered a single ewe lamb.

I didn't realize until I was loading my pics. that 

I didn't get one of her.

 Above, #107 was bred to the B.C.cross ram and delivered

a single ram lamb.

 At the same time #110 (guest ewe) had also delivered her lambs.

a ram and ewe.  She was bred to Black Pearl.

#201 Lark delivered her first lamb, a ram.

She was bred to Two Tone.

We have approximately seven ewes 

to deliver yet.  This is the earliest that 

we have every had almost the whole flock

deliver.  In the past our lambing would

generally begin the every end of March 

and go into April.

I am hopeful that we will have everyone deliver

soon.  In my own mind I just hoped to get 

all these babies delivered before this

covid-19 virus sweeps across our state.

Everyone stay safe.

 

#'s: 137,194,108,167,18,164,194,Lucy,70 &103

I wanted to share my pictures of the ewe's that have delivered late 

last evening and today.

I've been going a little crazy today and missed taking 

a few pictures...sorry about that.

It's been a heck of a day....

So first off I missed getting #137 Marni's pic.

I also missed #194 Gretel's pic.

These girls delivered late last night.

Today:

When I went out a little late, 8am #108 (Dave's ewe)

had delivered a katmoget ram lamb at some time during the 

night. He was completely dry and had nursed.

But I think she squished him and he died.  :(

It was cold last night, many of the ewes dig little holes and 

lay down in them.  The manure pack holds heat and

they want to stay warm.  Well the little guy was in 

the hole and I think she just laid on him.  ...so sad.

 Above, #167 was bred to the border cheviot/shetland and delivered 

this singe ram lamb.

 #18, Dave's ewe was bred to Bian and delivered this single ram lamb.

 #164 Remy was bred to Gordon and delivered twins; black ewe and spotted ram.

The above three were all waiting for me or had just delivered

this morning.

The ewe below was standing off in the corner with tail raised 

and was shaking, I think it was shock.

While I fed everyone I was trying to make the decision as to 

whether I call the vet for a C-section or wait till Monday and 

see what happens.

I didn't want to wait, this ewe was big and had looked like she should

have delivered a few days ago.

I called the vet office. 

 We ended up having the C-section done and glad we did.

Her uterus was twisted, twice and she also had 

some tares.

She is doing great so far and caring for her lambs, a ram and ewe.

#103 Olympia was bred to Gordon.

We got back home about 12:30 and walked into three more 

ewes all showing their water bags and ready to deliver lambs.

 Lucy was bred to Gordon and delivered this ram lamb 

with the cape flecket pattern.

 #70 Laurel was bred to Bian and delivered this single ewe lamb.

 #195 Ginnie was bred to Bian and delivered this moorit ram lamb.

This has been a full day and I don't know that we are done yet.

I think we have possibly 13 more to go.

#129 Willow, #134 Sunniva, #1511, #118 Luna, #131 xbred & #1608 Tessa

So glad it is the weekend so that I can be here and 

keep a close eye on everyone.

Although none needed my assistance in their deliveries

it's just a nice piece of mind knowing that all is well.

#129 Willow delivered these twins, one ram, one ewe last 

evening.  They look identical, just like mom, grey katmogets.

Willow was bred to Bian. 

Yesterday, having extra time in the  afternoon I rearranged the ram pen. 
Making their space in the barn smaller, allowing me to make another

lambing jug for the ewes with lambs.

#134 Sunniva with twins, two ewes.  Sunniva was Xbred with the border 

cheviot/shetland ram.  

Another "guest" ewe, #1511 she was bred to Two Tone.

She delivered a single ewe lamb.

 Above, #118 Luna was bred to the Border Cheviot/Shetland ram.
She delivered a moorit ewe lamb.

#131 Cormo/shetland ewe was bred to the border cheviot/shetland ram.
She delivered this cute ram lamb.

Above #1608 Tessa was bred to Shamus.
She delivered these moorit and white lambs.
Ram on the left, Ewe on the right.

It's been a busy day.

#125 Paula, #132 Xbred, #104, #1811 & #1546

So part of this post is a continuation from last evenings

ewes that delivered after 10pm.

#125 Paula was bred to Gordon.

She delivered this nice sized single ram lamb.

He is a spotted katmoget, it will be interesting to see

if his spots stay and don't fade away.

Gordon is a spotted ram so there is a chance.

 #132 one of my cormo/shetland ewes delivered a

single ram lamb.

The following ewes delivered their lambs today.

I left work early today, I had an appointment this afternoon,

but with all the Covid-19 recommendations that 

businesses close my appointment was canceled.

So I still left early to just go home and catch up on my

sheep duties, preparing for more lambs.

 Above, "guest"(Dave's) ewe #104 was bred to Bian.

She had delivered this single black ram this morning.

 #1811 (guest ewe - Dave's) delivered this single ewe lamb this 

afternoon.  She was bred to the Border Cheviot/Shetland ram.

 #1546 (guest ewe -Dave's) was in labor when I came home.

I assisted her with her delivery, she was so big.

She was bred to Gordon and delivered two ram lambs.

The ram in the above picture is moorit and white.

The below picture is black and white.

Just an interesting bit of info. I'd like to share with other 

Shetland breeders that have registered animals.

Last year while registering some of my sheep.

The registry had called me because I had written down

the color of sheep as moorit and white.

The young lady I spoke with said that the registry didn't 

recognize moorit and white in the color description for registering.

I asked what I was to do?

She said to go with whatever color the sheep has more of.

So in this instance with these two lambs.

The black and white ram can be registered as black and white.....because that is recognized by the registery, BUT the moorit and white ram cannot be registered as moorit and white.

So I guess he would need to be registered as white, since he has more white than black.

...does this make any sense???  Not to me.

Come on NASSA (North American Shetland Sheep Association)

it's time to review this information!

That is for today.

Although I believe we may have more lambs possibly this evening.

#172 & #1553

Two more ewe delivered late this afternoon.

 #172 a shetland ewe that was bred to the Border Cheviot / Shetland ram

delivered this single ram lamb this afternoon.

You can see his horn buds already 

and his fleece looks pretty fine too.

While I was checking on everyone this evening and 

feeding another ewe decided it was time to deliver

her lambs.

This "guest ewe" (Dave's) #1553 actually delivered twins,

but she had the second one after I had already taken this photo.

UPDATED:  The ram lamb is on the right, all is well!!
Ewe #1553 was bred with Bian.

#113 Olivia and two guest ewes: #1805 & # 1547

What a day today.

It started out with new lambs and a stealer this morning.

Ok, I know this is a really bad photo...I cannot figure out how to 

get the flash to work on my phone.

This is one of my guest ewes (Dave's ewe). She was 

bred to my black ram Bian.  She delivered twin ewe lambs.

One moorit (you can see her lamb tag shining) and 

one black with a small white spot on her forehead.

This ewe delivered this morning.  One of her lambs was stolen by the next ewe

who delivered her own lambs by the time I came home this afternoon.

 This is another guest ewe (Dave's) #1547 Bred to Gordon

Both are spotted ewe lambs.

 Below, #113 Olivia also delivered twins this afternoon.

Olivia was bred to Black Pearl.

The black is a ram, the moorit a ewe, I think this moorit ewe lamb

is going to go light.  Maybe mioget, like mom. 

That would be wonderful.

We have 10 ewes that have delivered with many more to go.

I think I will be exhausted before we are done.

#173 Poppy, #162 and #174 Iola

Last evening I went out the supplement Pumpkins' lamb with 

a bottle and #173 Poppy had delivered a ewe lamb.

Poppy was bred to my cross breeding ram a 

Border Cheviot/Shetland.  Not quite noticeable in this 

photo, but she really favors the border cheviot.

 This ewe, #162 is not registered, she was cross bred 

with the border cheviot/shetland ram too.  She delivered this morning.

This is a  ram lamb, he appears to favor the shetland breed more.

 Above and below pics. #174 Iola. She was bred to TwoTone and delivered

this little guy.  He is really cute, he has small circles around his eyes and

a little color at the base of the leg.  The hair color on his ears is white, 

but his skin has color on the ears, interesting.

Many to go yet...

#193 Pumpkin & #192 Thea

Todays deliveries did not go well...

 After coming home from work today I went straight out to the barn.

Knowing we should have lambs.

I found this little black and white ewe looking for her mom and hungry.

After taking a quick scan across the barn to see who she belonged to

I found #193 Pumpkin laying in a corner.  As I approached her

I could see that she had prolapsed and was in shock.

We spent much time with her and to get her treated but I 

think she is still in shock and don't know if she will recover.

I have supplemented her lamb with her milk and 

will continue.  I'm thinking that this little girl is going

to be a bottle baby for now.

Pumpkin was bred to Gordon and delivered a beautifully

spotted ewe lamb.

#192 Thea was bred to Bian.  She delivered this really 

nice dark moorit ewe lamb.

While I was trying to get photos this evening I noticed

that the lamb wasn't visually following her mom, she was

following by scent.  I picked her up and used my open hand to approach 

her eye and she does not blink.  I've seen this before

but didn't know what was causing this problem.

I reached out to some fellow shepherds and believe that

it is possible that since I did treat the whole flock with Corid

for coccidiosis.  Not realizing that Corid blocks the

up take of thiamine.

I have given the lamb .5mm of thiamine with Vit. B and 

will continue this for a few days.  I don't know if

this will reverse or improve her condition.

I will also follow up with my vet as to treatment.

I will be going back out to the barn this later this evening as

I thought I noticed another ewe may be ready to deliver.

#58 Jasmine

We've waited alll weekend long for babies.  

Finally, when I went out to feed this evening

Jasmine had delivered a ewe lamb.

 Jasmine was bred to my black ram, Bian.

This lamb is black with a krunet mark on her head.

I didn't see any white fibers in her ears or lips.  

She does have a black tongue. I'm hoping

she keeps her black color. ...time will tell.

She also has a small slice of a white mark on her right back 

lower leg, front and back.

I have many that look like they could deliver at any time

and of course that is probably what they will do.  

When  I have to go back to work (day job)!

Lambing begins with #161 Troyana

I walked into the barn this evening to hear little voices...

 I went straight in with the sheep to see who delivered and what 

they had.  It was Troyana, she was so proud to show me her babies.

She was talking to me before I even got to her.

I had my phone out and took this picture immediately.

Troyana was looking at me as to say,  Look! Look what I have!!

 Troyana was bred to Two Tone.  These lambs are both rams.

That spotting pattern we were trying for has certainly come out

 I've been preparing for lambs, as I have several that look like they could 

go at any time.  I moved Troyana off into a corner pen, large enough 

to accommodate two more ewes with lambs.

Hopefully this will kick off with all of these lambs coming soon.

I would like to have a close age on all these lambs, it just 

makes for easier feeding arrangements as we move into 

creep feeding and weaning.  ...we'll see.

Successful day of shearing

Although I have no pictures of the actual shearing this year

I did get some of the ewes afterwards and the many fleeces.

Thank you to all those who came out and braved the weather

to help us on our shearing day.

 Shearing went smoothly with all the help..."many hands make light work"!

 A few of the rams after shearing.  My black ram, in the bottom

right corner wanted some attention, you can just see part of his 

horn.

 More of the girls post shearing.  You could tell they were

glad to get their fleeces off.  Afterwards they were rubbing 

on every gate or feeder.

 Now we are on "baby watch".  It is much easier to observe their 

progress into late pregancy without their fleeces.

The first possible lambing date was Feb. 28th.

I think a have a couple that will be delivering soon.

The moorit (brown) ewe and black ewe in the center of 

this photo look ready now.

I am hoping that we can get the barn cleaned out next weekend.

I wanted to get it cleaned out prior to lambing, I hope everyone 

holds off till we get this done.

 I've had no time to go through the fleeces yet.

I've just made room for them.

I've arranged them by color.

This shelving unit has all the white fleeces on top (7 or 8).

3 pure black fleeces below the white (some were sold on shearing day).

The bottom two shelves have Shaela (2) and greys, from 

dark grey to light grey, (9)

The brown and brown color based fleeces are on my skirting table.

14 in total.  A couple of dark brown, one mioget and 

many shades of brown.

Anyone that is looking for freshly shorn fleeces contact me via email.

In May I will be sending out three large batches, white, grey and brown to have combed top made.

I usually get my product back in September.

I do still have some lovely dark grey combed top available,
also some fawn colored roving from this past years fleeces.