Lambs born in harsh temps

[Mike CHS]

I'm really glad things worked out like they did but ditto on that blanket.

 

[KatahdinMomma]

Looking good....well done. Oh, but that blanket will never be the same again, meconium seems to be able to withstand pretty much any attempt to was it out! (Not that THAT is going to trouble you right now).

It was a $4 emergency keep-the-animals-born-in-the-depths-of-winter-blanket, hahaha! Actually came in handy.

 

[Baymule]

I have "animal towels" that are thick, fluffy and white. I bleach them 2-3 times in a row, then wash again with vinegar. They might still be a little stained, but by golly, they are CLEAN! LOL

Beautiful lamb, congrats on a healthy lamb!

 

[soarwitheagles]

Golly,

After seeing all the hard work and incredible effort you all make to help your lambs, I feel like a totally mean, hard-hearted, uncaring, really bad villain!

Your lambs are so cute, and every piece of wool appears perfectly in place, dry lambing pen, custom cold weather coats, colorful blankets. etc... Gosh, please promise me, whatever you do, DON'T tell my wife or our lambs or our ewes that there is a much better life available!

Now I feel as if I am an extremely poor provider, a somewhat abusive manager, and a really bad shepherd...

If my lambs ever find out what life COULD be like, they might barbecue me!

I think I should go for counseling or psychological evaluation...is there any law and jail time for abusing sheep? I may need a lawyer.

 

[babsbag]

One of the big differences is the number of sheep and the reason for the sheep; often times it is the difference between business and pleasure.

 

[Sheepshape]

One of the big differences is the number of sheep and the reason for the sheep; often times it is the difference between business and pleasure.

I'm sure you're right.I wish I could get that balance right . Well,no, actually I really don't!

My ewes are expecting around about a hundred lambs, due to start 'dropping' within a month, and I'm going to feel responsible and sad about each and every birth which 'goes wrong'. No doubt I will be to blame for not spotting/intervening/leaving alone some deliveries, but some won't be due to my ineptitude (but I'll still feel responsible).I'll lose sleep, shed tears, feel proud and generally go through emotional turmoil during lambing.

What is a long-term cold-hating vegetarian doing with sheep anyway? I ask myself at time....so does my OH.

Whatever, I feel some comfort from knowing that I do my level best for them, they are well-cared for, and I treat them as the sentient beings they are. So I think I am keeping them as pets, really.

 

[soarwitheagles]

Well, you are all treating your sheep much better than us. Little by little, my paradigm has shifted...before I saw them as cute little animals...now I see our sheep as super time saving lawn mowers, exotic zoo animals that our neighbors adore, emergency back up food, and last, but certainly not least, I see each new lamb as a valuable two hundred dollar bill...definitely do not see many altruistic motives here on our side of the ranch....

 

[CntryBoy777]

Well @soarwitheagles , there is a difference from an "Object" that ya can make a little from selling....like a business with "Product"; and, one ya take in...share your "World" with and are a part of that "World"....the difference is whether it is done with the "Head", or done with the "Heart".
I'm not saying one is better than the other, but that is the difference....IMO.
My animals share my "World" and I am honored by tending to them....instead of "Serving" me.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Thanks everyone! Everyone is good an fine. We got everyone towels off and under heat lamps and all problems averted.

Sure are some sweet little ones ya got there....Congradulations!!

 

[RuralFarmGirl]

Loving reading everyone's experiences. I'm definitely falling in love with our animals even if they are going to be meat. At least falling in love with raising them

Our sheep are not as pampered as a lot of sheep I see here. They are currently in a permanent outdoor pen with a 3-sided shelter. We keep adding foraging leaves and twigs raked up from the yard as they finish what's in thier pen. It's good to keep them busy when they aren't eating their daily hay or grain rations. I keep feeling a little bad that they don't have a big cozy barn but then I keep realizing that they are very happy as they are! We went back and forth a lot as we considered lambing options but ultimately came to keeping mom and babies within view of the flock too not cause stress and make their transition go well. We are waiting on lambs currently but when they arrive we'll seperate them and momma into the shelter by a cattle panel for a few days of bonding before giving them full access to the rest. I appreciated the conversation about different farming styles. Sharing a few pictures of my sheep enjoying thier home-wondering who else has a simuliar setup!