Sunday Lambing

I have wanted to go see the new movie Water Horse and planned to take Julia on Sunday afternoon. Has anyone seen it? Life got in the way. New life, that is.

Julia and I went to check on the progress at the barn early in the afternoon - something we do together during lambing season. If we don't go to the barn, she doesn't get to see here Dad as much as he likes. He's very busy this time of year - feeding sheep, lambs and helping out when someone needs it.

Upon arrival, we saw a brand new lamb and there was another ewe in labor. It was our lucky day - it isn't often we get to see lambs being born. The barn was relatively warm so we sat down and waited. The ewe wasn't too pleased to have human company so we kept our distance.

The ewe was large and definitely experienced with birthing and raising lambs so we weren't too worried about her. Here she is making a nest by pawing at the hay.


We kept waiting patiently, talking amongst ourselves and with Jeremy the llama who was also quite interested in the new life that would be soon appearing. He loves the little lambs.

The ewe continued in labor. Here she is pushing.


This went on for quite awhile. I thought to myself it was taking awhile but The Farmer knows best. And so we kept waiting patiently.

After an hour and a half of her pushing, the sun began to go lower in the sky. We would have to leave soon. Finally a leg and the tip of a nose appeared.


She kept pushing but things weren't progressing. We grabbed a halter and caught the ewe. The next sequence of photos happened extremely fast.

Here The Farmer is pulling out the first leg.


Look hard and you will see the next leg under the first.


With one gentle tug, the lamb began to appear.


The mom is inspecting her new baby and The Farmer is cleaning out the mouth so it can breathe.


The mom is cleaning off the baby and her milk is starting to come down.


Here's the lamb as he is opening his eyes for the first time. He was a monster lamb - huge - and she probably would not have been able to deliver him without help. Lucky we were there.


On his feet after a few minutes and looking for lunch.


Julia inspecting the new member of the flock.


Lamb count - 39
Lambs in the House - 1