Meet Annabelle & Demeter (we will call her Demmy). These sweet little gals greeted Tom as he went to hay the ewes at morning chores. Great way to start the day wouldn't you say? :) Each of them weighed about 2 lbs and were born about 5:30 am. Both were dry and walking when we got to the barn. Both had nursed but I wasn't sure how much either of them had gotten. The smaller one, Annabelle, was shivering and not quite as active as Demeter.
We made a jug for them in the main barn where it is much warmer. After moving them into the jug, we gave the ewe a pail of warm molasses water to boost her energy level and she drank the entire 2 1/2 gallons. Labor and delivery is hard work!! I milked colostrum into a small syringe and made sure each lamb got about 6cc's. They also got 4cc's each of warm sheep nutri-drench. I made them each a coat from the sleeves of a polar fleece pullover. Both warmed up quickly and were up and nursing on Mom before long. They continued to do well all day long and I think both will be fine :)
This ewe has been bagged up for awhile now. I'm a fairly good record keeper but I'm still not exactly sure how she could have been bred before our main ram was turned in with the ewes in October. I did have a ram LAMB that had a retained testicle. I didn't think it was possible but I guess anything is possible in the animal kingdom.
Oh, in case you were wondering about their names - Mythology is our theme for names this year. Annabelle was the Goddess of flowers, gardens & marshes and Demeter was the Goddess of the Harvest.
They have had lots of hugs and cuddles today - I can't wait to get back out there tomorrow :)
21 comments:
Definite cute factor! And healthy on a cold winter day! How wonderful for you! Little ram lambs are such sneaky stinkers....not that I am talking from experience of course;)
Awwww...they are so darned cute. I am impressed by your wonderful husbandry with them. Calves we know, but lambs are a bit of a mystery.
Love the sweaters!
They are soo cute! I love the sweaters!
Wow, this is the year for EARLY Shetland lambs! Congrats!
SURPRISE! Our barn isn't warm enough for lambs yet. We still have work to do. What beautiful girls.
Love the little coats you made. I used to use sweat shirt sleeves. These are much cuter. The little lambs are darling. I don't know what a jug is, but I guess it is a sheltered spot with no drafts.
Only two pounds? That amazed me. I guess I just didn't have a clue. They are adorable.
What lucky babies to be born into such a caring family. Those sweaters could not be any cuter!
Thanks for such a happy post.
I like reading how other farmers handle things like animal births in cold weather.
I am going to use the warm molasses water and the syringe tip with our goats. Thanks!
Annabelle and Demeter sure look spiffy in their polar fleece coats!
Have a great weekend.
Pam
I saw the sweaters and thought "She knit them sweaters?!? How cool is that?!" Fleece sleeves are much quicker:) And oh so cute! Congrats on two healthy adorable lambs.
What a wonderful start to the morning! What kind of lambs are they? The momma looks Shetland, but the lambs tails look a little long to be purebred, but it could just be the picture prespective. They look a bit like my Shetland/Merino cross lambs. Love the sweater idea! Hopefully here there won't be any lambs until March!
Tammy
Oh, I'm jealous! Congrats on the babes. 2lb lambs - wow. If mine are 4lbs I consider them preemies! 8-10lbs for me is ideal.
And yes, one nut is all a sheep needs! Hardy buggers.
Oh, so precious, I couldn't pull myself away.
We had a surprise calf this year must have been through the fence and the neighbors bull.. Humm
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
They look adorable in their little sweaters. Just makes you want to cuddle with them.
They are so cute! And I love the sweaters. I need to get some for our coming kids.
They are so cute. What hat a good start in the morning.
I love their names and what a great theme. The sweaters are adorable. There are some early lambs this year, mine shouldn't be here for another month or so (I hope) lol. Congratulations on the lambs. It's a good start with ewes.
AWHHHH-Dang cuteness for sure!!!Luv the sweaters:)
Adorable! Congrats on the ewe lambs! I love the "sweater from sleeves" idea. I am expecting my first Finn lambs this year. 2 lbs - yikes! I better get some sweaters made!
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