High Desert Cowboy- How far is it up north?

[High Desert Cowboy]

My ewe fear stemmed mainly from my experience two years ago, when I didn’t separate my ram from the ewes. Heart had a stillborn and bellwether had triplets on February 8th that year. Where we were getting close to that first part of February and nobody even looked pregnant I had my worries. This week I’ve noticed that Hearts belly is hanging lower and she’s starting to get a little udder development. All signs point to a pregnant ewe. Dotty has gotten wider but she may just be fat, this is her last chance year. Her first year she didn’t breed I figured she was too young, last year I thought maybe she didn’t get sufficient chance. Three strikes policy for her because I can’t think of any more excuses.
We’ve been having consistent little flurries but they really don’t stay, it pretty much melts in contact with the cement and it’s been at about 35 degrees to melt anything that stays around. Really weird weather for Cache Valley in February. But I’ll take any moisture, especially where it’s sticking to the mountains. We are currently at 83% of our snowpack which isn’t awful but could definitely get better. With several more flurries or storms in the near future we might just be in good shape.

 

[Baymule]

I'm real happy for you and your snow. I'd sure send you all of mine if I could!

 

[High Desert Cowboy]

It’s been a while for which I apologize. Where we haven’t really had loads going on with the animal side of things I haven’t really updated for a while though I have been lurking here and there. Mostly been working on finishing up the basement in the new house. But we finally have animal news. Today Heart lambed triplets! A little ram lamb and a very large ewe lamb. I know about those two because I ended up helping a little with the ewe lamb she was so big. I was home on my dinner break from work so I went back inside to get ready to leave for work again and came back out to a third baby! My wife is on watching duty to make sure all is well but we’re pretty sure she’s done.

 

[Bruce]

Congratulations!

 

[Baymule]

Triplets! Congratulations!

 

[High Desert Cowboy]

So the third was a little ewe lamb. I’ve been keeping an eye on everybody and so far mama seems to be providing enough groceries that no one is going without. Heart is ravenous though, she eats anything that comes into reach. She never tried to eat my pants before but if it look edible she’s all about it. I’ve had her separated and giving her extra to keep her in good condition.

 

[Mini Horses]

It takes a LOT to produce milk!!!

I watch mom's condition almost more than the kids after day two.

 

[Baymule]

I have a ewe that puts it all in the milk bag. She always gets thin, so I supplement her by hand. She has learned her name, Ewenique, and runs to the fence for her treats. Try giving Heart a handful of black oil sunflower seeds on top of her feed.

 

[Ridgetop]

Congratulations!!! 2 for the flock and 1 for the pot! Good all around!

 

[High Desert Cowboy]

Heart is already pretty tame. She was raised as a bottle baby so getting her to walk up to me for a little extra is really not difficult. I was surprised though I went out with a bottle to try and get the lambs to try and take it now on the chance I have to pull one off later they’ll understand what it is and Heart wanted it more than the babies did. I finally just took the nipple off and she pounded the whole bottle of milk replacer herself. Figured it was just a little more added nutrition for her.
Where this was Gus Gus’s first year I hope to use him for a few years to come but it’s awful tempting to keep the babies. Triplets, their dad was a triplet and the mom had had four pregnancies with two sets of twins and a set of triplets. Good chance at multiples from these two but I’ll probably try to sell them for replacements or trade. Thing is Gus Gus is so mellow I hate to get rid of him as he has never once shown any aggression to me or my kids. If he was a jerk I’d be just fine with one and done.