Lambing

We left the ram in with the ewes this year thinking we'd lamb around September/October. Apparently the ram didn't get to work when we thought he might, so we're just now lambing. In the winter. And the snow. But these sheep are so hearty and really don't seem to mind the weather. They've got good hair coats and plenty of fat to keep them warm. And that fat all comes from what they find foraging in the pastures. Grasses, legumes, berries, leaves and brush.

This is one of the 2nd set of twins born Jan 1, 2010. Love the black on his ears and nose. What a cutie!

This is the momma of those twins protecting her babies. The sheep rely on the guard dogs, but still like to show their apprehension for the dogs coming too close to their new babies. Notice her ears and her stance.

Here she's stomping her foot. That's her defense. Putting her foot down while saying, "I mean it! Don't come any closer!"

You can see Lurch was really scared away. It's amazing to see how the dogs will hover right over the new babies after birth, especially when the momma's are still giving birth. They're very protective.

Snack time!

This is our first set of twins born this season, on December 29, 2009. All white.

Got an itch!

This poor girl's gotta be close to lambing. But, saying for sure when they'll lamb is like a watched pot that won't boil. You really can't guess who'll be next. Those little legs look like toothpicks holding up a watermelon!

This is a ewe lamb born last February. We aptly named her "Fifi" in honor of Pepe le Pew's cat girlfriend.

Another ewe lamb born Feb, 2009.

This is one lucky fellow. This is Vindicator, named after the Hereford bull in the Jimmy Stewart movie, "The Rare Breed". He's lucky because he's the only boy that got to live. And his legacy is now living on, being born this year. This pic is last spring; he was born Feb, 2009, and is all grown up now.

This is Feb, 2009. We had lots of snow and ice and would put some hay out for the sheep to bed down on.

Snuggled up with momma!

Our first set of twins born Feb, 2009. This little ewe thought she was a nurse maid.

Say, "Cheese!"

Our first ewe born on the ranch, Feb 2, 2009, Groundhog Day. We looked out from the house and thought she had to be dead, being born on ice and sleet.

We helped dry off and thaw out her little ears and tail.

And she was good to go! Breakfast!

Raising the sheep has been a great experience. We started with 30 bred ewes we brought home in January and they all lambed within 27 days during Feb, 2009. We now have over 50 ewes and hope to keep doubling our numbers each year. The chops, steaks, ground lamb and lamb sausage is wonderful. We hope to really have several hundred sheep roaming the Rockin H one of these days!