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Sunday, June 14 2015


 

And it begins. There was a reason I named our young ram Orville Reddenbacher. After taking a few years off, I decided it was time to start having lambs pop up in the pasture like popcorn again. What I didn't plan on was lambing during a move across the state. Our retirement plans came together much faster than I had planned. Several of my ewes are heavily pregnant and I don't look forward to that long hot, bouncy journey.

One ewe has had an udder like a basketball for the last three weeks. The last time we were headed to the north ranch I was certain she would have her babies but we returned home to a still-very-pregrant ewe. Although I had my doubts about leaving her this time, if I stayed home for every birth, I wouldn't be able to leave all summer. (And THIS friends and neighbors is why your ram should NOT live with your ewes. Planning lambing is practically impossible.) So with this in mind, I had to harden my heart and tell myself that I must commit to sheep that need little or no assistance with their babies. This sounds good on paper but I know me, and not micromanaging the flock is hard. But I left for the ranch again, secure in the knowledge that even though this is her first birthing, this ewe's mother was a good mother, the neighbor would be checking on her, the rancher next door is a better midwife than I am, and Briar is here.

Sometime late Thursday or early Friday these little rascals were born - a white girl and a piebald boy.

I was happy to get a ewe lamb but not keen on her coat. It's not the normal dorper hair coat.

I've only had one baby with this kinky coat before. He did fine, but since I sold him as a wether for a dog training, I'm not sure if he shed out properly as an adult. We'll see. If she doesn't shed out I won't breed her. In the mean time, she has the adorable personality of an explorer. Ironically the other kinky baby I had was also a fearless explorer thus we named him, Magellan.

 Magellan

Since this new ewe baby is the granddaughter of a ewe named Wrinkle, I decided to name her Madeleine.

(Extra credit for anyone who can find the connection between Wrinkle and Madeleine. Liz in Australia, I bet you get it immediately!)

The boy doesn't have a name, but since I'll keep him as a wether for training Mesa later, I guess I need to find him one. It is easier for me to keep track of individuals and family lines when everyone has a name. Ironically the ewe doesn't even have a name. I've always called her the Shy One because she never tamed up like the other ewes and I wasn't sure I'd keep her, but she is proving to be a wonderful first time mamma and relatively easy to handle. Despite the fact that I never liked her piebald color, her maternal instincts have earned her a permenant spot in the flock.

 And so it begins. Popcorn season.

Posted by: forensicfarmgirl AT 09:44 am   |  Permalink   |  8 Comments  |  Email
Comments:
Why not him 'The Pie' after the horse in National Velvet :)
Posted by Jeanne on 06/14/2015 - 10:48 AM
Wrinkle in time by Madeleine L'Engle??????????? Too early here 5am on a cool winter morn
Posted by Liz (Vic Aust) on 06/14/2015 - 02:26 PM
A Wrinkle in Time and Madeline L'Engle?
Posted by Rachel on 06/14/2015 - 02:43 PM
You could name her Meg and him Charles Wallace.
Posted by Andrea on 06/14/2015 - 03:16 PM
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. One of my favorite books from way back when. An honor to be named so.
Posted by Patricia on 06/14/2015 - 05:58 PM
a Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'engle. One of my all time favorite books.
Posted by Beth on 06/14/2015 - 06:26 PM
I claim extra credit, too. One of my very favorite books back in the day.
Posted by Peg H. in Wisconsin on 06/14/2015 - 06:54 PM
I'm always a day late and a dollar short. With out giving away the answer, I was going to suggest naming him Engle or Charles or Wallace. Also one of my favorite childhood books(Thank you, Mrs. Reddington).
Posted by Patty on 06/15/2015 - 04:15 PM

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