Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Baby Love


Sorry no new pictures. This photo is from yesterday. Today is a dreary, rainy day and I didn't bring the camera out to the barn with me. Which turned out to be a good thing because I needed to take action as soon as I arrived...
As I walked out for the noon barn check, I noticed Anna was not with the rest of the flock. Stepping around the barn I saw a perfect white ram lamb curled up in the corner of the barn stall. He was so dry he must have been born right after morning chores. Then Anna came trotting out to barge her way into the molasses pan I was carrying. Only the one lamb?...and she was not worried about leaving him?
Stepping in to check on the two other moms I discovered Delyth's jug was missing a lamb. Her only lamb...
How that little ram escaped from his jug is beyond me. I mean I really can't imagine how he could have done it unless he meant to. And he was so unconcerned. He had went out one barn door and into the other portion of the barn and cuddled up to the slatted boards next to his mom's jug. Anna Belle was watching over him faithfully, probably with every intention of keeping him.
I returned him to Delyth and she kept moving away from him as he chased her around trying to eat. I finally just held her still and after the lamb latched on she seemed to remember who he was. I dipped his navel again and gave Delyth some Vitamin E and molasses. I also piled hay in front of the only possible crack he could have wiggled through. It must have been an accident, I thought.
A few minutes later I was in Rachel's jug loving up her and her lamby when I heard a pawing sound. There was that ram lamb trying to get out of his jug. He could see the other sheep and he intended to go exploring! He is a very bully little guy-but I am glad to say I have not seen him bash anything yet. He is willful and confident, but not a basher-thank goodness.
I took a little time this morning to assess Little Miss Hopeful. (I will probably register her as Nadin. (Scandinavian for hopeful)) She feels solid as a brick and I saw her nurse, so I know she is getting enough to eat. She also is inquisitive and bright eyed-such a relief.
I always try to spend time with my ewe lambs so they are not fearful, but Nadin wants to spend time with me. I've never had such a lovely lamb before. She blissed out on the full body massage and the ear scratches. And she leaned heavily toward whichever side I was rubbing. Just to check her balance-which has been improving-I quickly removed my hand as she was leaning a couple of times and she always caught herself and remained balanced. I am so proud of her. And I love the way she kept raising her tiny little head to my mouth so she could smell me. I am 100% smitten with this plain black ewe lamb. What a honey.

2 comments:

Michelle said...

So Anna HASN'T lambed? Arg. Very glad to hear about Nadin's progress, though. Sounds like you'll have to keep her. :-)

Becky Utecht said...

Congratulations on the lambs Sabrina! It's a relief to hear that Nadin is doing so well. And that little guy getting out of his pen, he's going to be one to keep an eye on! ;-)