Our 1st lambing season

[Annwise27]

Good evening everyone!
I'm new here so I'll introduce myself My name is Angela, married, 4 human kids, 4 ewes, 1 ram (2 full blood Katahdin and 4 Kat/Dorper mix and all but 2 of our sheep were given to my 13 year old as bottle babies. The 2 that weren't bottle babies have stayed relatively aloof). We are a very active 4-H family.
Anyway, 1 of our not so friendly sheep had a little ewe lamb who is now 8 days old (Surprise!!!).My naughty girl Faith is showing signs of labor but I have decided she is just teasing us because she knows how excited we are! Our other 2 are due soon as well but being as this is our 1st time breeding I was dumb and didn't pay attention to Buddy doing his job.

 

[RoahT]

First of all, welcome! Oh, I know animals have that way of teasing you until you start to think maybe they aren't having babies anytime soon after all, then when you aren't prepared they give birth! But the adorable babies are always worth it!

 

[Annwise27]

Lol... I have less patience with the sheep being expectant than I was all my human babies

 

[Baymule]

Welcome to the forum! I lurked here for a long time, finally joined, and after FIVE YEARS, I finally got my sheep! This is a great place, full of the nicest people! I am on my 3rd lambing, so I get your excitement!

That is a beautiful spotty baby you have! Adorable!

 

[Annwise27]

Thank you Baymule! I only lurked 2 days before I saw how friendly and nonjudmental every is! I know I'm making a ton of mistakes (like not noting breedings!) But the kids and I are really trying to learn as much as we can. My 2 youngest children (13 & 9)are wanting to use their sheep to help them fund some of their 4-H trips and projects.

 

[Baymule]

I never knew when my ram bred the ewes. I did not use the colored powder on him or the harness for it, and never saw him breed them. So don't feel bad about that. I have Dorper/Katahdin cross sheep and I love them!

It's great that your kids what to use the sheep as 4H projects.

 

[RoahT]

Yeah, I never keep track of it either!

 

[Sheepshape]

Welcome Annwise27, being judgemental should be reserved for those who have no fault.....and I haven''t anyone yet. Very cute lamb....

I'm a bit more scientific about when my lambs are going to come as I want to be a bit more prepared than I used to be. I work out when the weather is likely to be improving.....actually over here that really doesn't happen!....then work back from there, 147 days, and that's when the tup goes in. Oh, and the really scientific bit, they're scanned at about 60 days (over here on-farm scanning is the norm and is very affordable)...so I know how many that are going to have. From a few days before the expected start of lambing I watch them like a hawk.....AND still usually miss some.

Oh and this year we borrowed a VERY sneaky young man from our neighbour.....he returned (scaling at least 4 fences) to return to our ladies....so the scanning won't be 100%.

Anyway, welcome once more and keep those pics. coming.

 

[Annwise27]

I'm actually glad to know that I'm not the only one who doesn't know exactly when "the deed" took place
I'm pretty sure that this girl is going to be having a babe soon. She hasn't bagged yet but she has been showing all of the other signs of labor.

 

[Latestarter]