Our Day at the Barn

Lambing has slowed down quite a bit - thank goodness. Instead of 20 lambs being born in a day they are dribbling out at 1 to 4 a day. There are still ewes waiting to lamb but it isn't quite as frenetic as it has been the past couple weeks. 

Today The Farmer had to make a delivery for his real business and so left me in charge of all the sheep. Yikes, I like to be in charge of things but not in charge of the sheep during lambing season! Luckily, our friend Terri said she would help me. We got chores done in record time and without incident. We were just getting ready to leave when I noticed a ewe who looked to be in labor.

Sure enough, a yearling ewe was straining up on the hill. When we got there, I could see that the nose was poking out but no legs. That isn't what you want to see because it means the ewe will need help. Lucky for me, Terri's real job is as a maternity nurse at the local hospital. I knew what to do but I wasn't too keen about sticking my arm up into the ewe. Terri was enthusiastically smiling though. I knew she could do it! As a nurse, I knew that she would relish the chance to deliver a mal-presented lamb. Real official lambing vs. feeding and watering and walking around in cruddy muck. Sure would make a good story at the hospital too! Terri fished around inside and found one leg but couldn't find the other. I have watched this many times and knew that if she pushed the head back in, she'd be able to find both legs. I held the ewe as she was straining which made it more difficult for Terri to pull. 

And then she pulled and there it was!

And here's Terri with the brand new ram lamb and a giant smile on her face. Thank you Terri! We are so lucky to have friends like you.