My mother in law just called from the barn to say that another lamb has been born and there is a second one coming along from the same ewe. Two others were born this morning. In a week or so when they all start scampering I'll see if I can figure out how to post a video. Baby sheep are almost as cute as baby goats.
Unfortunately my sheep, Seven of Nine, had a stillborn lamb last Sunday. (She is named after a Star Trek character) We had the vet out that afternoon to make sure she was ok and she said Seven is ok to try again next year. MIL had eight pregnant sheep, so the other five should be going into labor this weekend.
Edited because I really do know the difference between "their" and "there".
-- Edited by Evil Stepmother on Friday 4th of April 2014 08:12:10 PM
I feel bad for your mama sheep. We lost a cow this year during labor, calf was coming out rear legs first instead of front. She was a mean ole cow but I still felt horrible not to even mention the financial loss with losing her and the calf is at least $2,000. Rarely do we actually get to witness the birth but a couple of months ago we happened to be at the pasture when one was in labor and the baby bull calf was born.
Oh I'm sorry you lost the mother cow too, EmmDee. That is quit an expense.
Seven was mad at us for several days, because she didn't like what the vet did to make sure there wasn't another lamb. She's come around and is back to her old self. She is very friendly for a sheep and likes to be petted again now that she's sure no one is going back in on the "nether regions".
We've been lucky, none of ours have refused to feed their lambs. Sometimes when there are triplets they have to get a bottle at first just to help out. Being bottle fed does tend to make them much more people oriented and less skittish.
Well, how would you feel if you not only had a stillborn but also had someone all up in your business like that? I would be hiding in a corner somewhere. I am glad she is starting to come around again.
We now have three sets of twins and two sets of triplets. The poor ewe this morning had one, then of course had the second after I went back in the house. I had to go to the store for some last minute Easter dinner food and when I returned the vet was here again. When my mil determined that the lamb was back feet first she called for backup. Dr. Brian was able to get him turned around and it looks like he and Marblecake will be just fine.
This is three of the babies experimenting on what lawn chairs taste like. My mother in law was sitting in it just a minute before while we waited during Marblecake's labor. The chairs are taken out when the sheep are alone.