Babies!

So yesterday was a pretty hectic day! I went to get a round bale before work, then when we got home we unloaded it, which was a chore. A few of David's friends came over, and they helped unload the bale and get it set into place. While they were working, I fed the animals. A few minutes after I fed the sheep hay, I heard Darla in the shelter making some noise. I went and peeked in on her, and saw she was in labor, but I saw a hind hoof. Oops. Darla was supposed to wait to lamb until my Mom got there (she's visiting from NC and was a few hours too late!).

I brought Darla in the barn and tied her to the wall and pulled the lamb. It was a big lamb, and Darla went down (as in, laid down) as soon as I pulled him out. When I first started pulling him, I felt him moving so I knew he was alive, but when I pulled him out he was pretty still. I cleared his mouth and nose and started rubbing him with straw. It took him a few minutes (during which I was pretty worried about him) but finally he breathed. Whew. I left them together and went inside to get the kids' (the human ones) dinner. Thank goodness we had leftovers, so it was easy.


I came back out and saw she was getting ready to have another, so I stayed to make sure everything was ok. I saw 2 big front hooves, so I decided to go ahead and help her. I pulled that lamb, and it was much easier than the first. He was shaking his head and breathing in no time.


So we've got 2 big strapping ram lambs. The one with the lighter face and legs was born first.

Darla is such a good mom, she just stood there while I stripped her teats and put the lambs on to nurse.

I'm a little bummed with no ewe lambs, but maybe next year will be different!