The Wonder of Birth
Warning: the following pictures are graphic images of a sheep giving birth!
Our last ewe to lamb, Emerald, cooperated with us last Saturday, April 28, by giving birth at a reasonable hour--9pm! I had noticed her nesting and acting very about-to-give-birth-y, so I grabbed my camera and declared, "I'm sitting in the barn until this lamb comes!"
That was at 7 pm, so I didn't have too long to sit in the cold. She began having contractions around 8, and then things went pretty fast. Morgan, Mike and my mom-in-law, Jude were all present. Morgan is only 7 and handled things very well. She quietly asked questions as things progressed and wasn't phased at all.
Emerald was finished pushing, and the little lamb more or less kicked her way into the world.
Starr (the llama on the far left) had a hard time containing herself; she wanted to help lick Emmylou clean. She kept sticking her nose between the slats of the birthing pen until Emerald finally gave her a strong head butt.
Reader Comments (4)
Those pictures were awesome!!! She didn't mind you taking pictures? I am so jealous. I can't wait to start my own flock!
Hi Christopher--thanks! She wasn't too happy about the camera if I put my arm through the slats of the jug (she head butted the camera a few times), but otherwise, she was fine. Poor thing had a flash going off in her eyes during delivery though.
Are you planning to get sheep soon? It's a great endeavor!
Yes ! My barn will be finished mid-June. I visited Whispering Pines Farm over a week ago (Jen and Rich spoke very highly of you), and friday I am going to visit Wild Geese Farm in Franklinville. I'm starting with two ewes and building my flock from there. PS your scouring class was very helpful!
Christopher--very cool! Jen and Rich are wonderful resources and so encouraging. We're blessed to have been able to work with such wonderful people while getting started.
Two ewes will be perfect. We're in the midst of making the hard decisions about how to handle all these boys. Not fun.
I'm glad the scouring class was helpful; goodness knows I managed to make my fair-share of felt over the years! BTW--the fine-wool shetlands will felt easily so watch out!