Triplets x 2

This morning started with a bang.  As we drove down the driveway we saw one of our clun mixes (1/2 clun, 1/2 romney) standing off to herself under an old growth tree.  At her feet was a lamb, then we when came around the corner, out popped another lamb from behind the roots...then ANOTHER.  Triplets! 

She had done an excellent job cleaning them up and they were trying to nurse.  We caught them and brought them over to a clean jug where first time Momma and her three lambs snuggled into the straw.  She gave us two ram lambs and an ewe lamb. No wonder she was as wide as a house.   

While we were jugging the clun and her lambs I saw Maimie (the Columbia/Rambouillet ewe who was injured last summer  - remember the horrible wound on the inside of her leg that happened when a dog landed an unfortunate grip) water bag was out and ready to break.  We were able to quickly get her in the birthing jug - where over the course of an hour she delivered the first ram lamb - complete breech presentation (butt first) - by herself - I did not need to assist.  She was making progress swiftly and delivered it without a problem.  I was expecting only a single from her due to her size, surprise surprise, I checked her thinking if she had only a single I could graft one of the triplets from the Clun onto her.  No dice, she had another one on the way, this time a proper presentation, poof out dropped another ram lamb.  Shortly after that, she started pushing again...and viola a huge ewe lamb joined the world. 

Another set of triplets from the ewe that I thought would only give us a single.    This girl certainly earned her name. 

As I sat in the birthing jug with her, she was relaxed, and trusted me.  As I picked up the lambs to snip and dip their cords, she licked my hands and did not push me away, instead kept talking to her babies & cleaning them.  I was able to examine her both times without problems.  I cherish the trust she has in me.  I remember this summer when we first started treating that wound - she was skittish and frightened all the time.  It is amazing to me how they know you are helping...

Tonight both Moms and sets of triplets are warm and safe in their jugs.  The lambs all have coats on to help keep them warm while the temp drops into the 20's again tonight.  I checked them before bed, each had a full tummy and warm mouth.  Mom's were eating & drinking well.

For those that are wondering, our jugs are in a 3 sided shelter.  One side is open to the weather above a 4 ft tall plywood wall which breaks the wind but they are far from weather proof. 

Each jug offers a thick layer of straw for bedding.  We are erring on the side of caution and choosing to put coats on our lambs to prevent hypothermia until their body temps are self regulating, since we are unable to provide a heat lamp safely.  

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

4 ewes delivered 18 more to go.
5 ewe lambs
4 ram lambs

Yeah! 

Birth of a Lamb

This post features photos of a lamb being born.  If you are squeamish or do not wish to view somewhat graphic material, do not scroll down.
 
This afternoon one of Monique's katahdin ewes (#816 aka Freckles) delivered her lamb quietly in the large 'birthing' jug as I stood outside with a few of the other sheep.  The grey rubbermaid bin you see in the shots contains our lambing supplies, close at hand.  I shot this series of pictures with my iPhone from outside the jug, observing without intruding and causing her anxiety.

The ewe had been showing signs of labor for 24 hours and we were getting concerned about her.

Freckles had been very agitated in the jug alone so I dumped some alfalfa outside her jug so she could see and hear the other ewes.  She visibly relaxed.

With the ewes close by Freckles settled down and started on the task at hand.

When the ewe feels contractions & pushes she puts her nose in the air, often pulling her lips back, making silly faces.  I think about when I delivered my 10 lb 9 oz son, naturally, in 45 minutes from first contraction to delivery.  Making silly faces was the least of my worries, I am sure I figured out many new ways to conjugate various 4 letter expletives.

Once she started pushing the ewe got up and began to push in earnest, taking a few steps, pushing and squatting.  You can see the lamb beginning to emerge. 

She gets up, lies down, pushes, gets up again....

More pushing.  I am reminded of being told to walk to further labor with my daughter.  I adamantly refused, fully convinced my legs were being ripped off my body and would not work if I were to leave my bed.  This ewe makes it look so easy. 

The head and shoulders have passed, the rest slips easily to the straw below, all done without one swear word or screaming the Lord's name in vain.

She lies down as the lamb slips from the birth canal and begins to vigorously lick the lamb clean.  

Sadly as she is licking the lamb, a stillborn lamb passes in the straw which I quickly remove to examine later.  As it turns out the lamb did not stand a chance of survival - it was not fully formed - probable disrupted attachment.  Likely another victim from the dog attack. This is the ewe that survived the mauling.  We are fortunate she did not lose both lambs.  It is a testament of her strength. 

She is a good mother, cleaning and bonding with her lamb.  The act of licking stimulates the lamb to breath as well as helps to dry it off. 

Within minutes the lamb is cleaned of most the birth fluids and on it's feet.

We had to enter the jug to clip the umbilical cord and check the lamb.  Mom is none to pleased. 

She continues to lick her lamb, encouraging it to nurse.

The lamb makes her way to the back, where she latches on.

Another adorable ewe lamb.  I love her badger markings. 

What a nice way to end a week.  

 2 down, 20 more ewes to go.

Lambkin

Hi, I am ewe lamb.  Ewe lamb, not you lamb.  But I might answer to 'Hey you lamb', if you have alfalfa, not hay.  Just call me Alfalfa sheep.  Hay ewe, would be confusing.

What was I saying?  I like milk.  How 'bout you?

I have brown ears and legs.  My sister is all white.  I have all the freckles in the family.  I get them from my momma. 

More lambs are on their way.  Me and my sister are gonna have company in the nursery pen.  Yipee! 


Camera Face is all excited today because the neighbor (where the bad dog used to live) just gave our flock permission to graze all the lush grass next door....in return for keeping the grass down so he does not have to pay for mowing.  Happy day!  More place to graze the sheep and work those miserable things called dogs.  My momma told me 'bout them.  I haven't seen one yet, but when I do...oh there is gonna be trouble. 

PS we already figured out that the lady who is writing this is bat shat crazy.

First Lambs

Our co-op partner Monique's Katahdin uneventfully delivered the first lambs this evening in a howling wind storm on the Enumclaw plateau.  Healthy twin ewe lambs to an excellent mother. 

The temps are dropping & snow is forecast along with the wind so we put the little coats on the lambs to keep them warm through the night since the shelter is partially open on one side. 

One down, 21 more ewes to go.

Yeah!  

Not Dead...just waiting for lambs

We are prepared for lambing to start.  John built the jugs, clean fresh straw spread, lambing kit & supplies ready and now we wait and watch.  Recheck the calendar, wait, watch, scratch our heads...watch, check them, feed them, watch.  Wait...and wait. 

Did I mention we are waiting? 

It figures tomorrow is supposed to snow and I actually have plans for the first time in a week, knowing our luck they will start dropping. 

I am so excited I can hardly stand it.

Now back to watching, waiting and waiting and waiting.....