abe's arrival

we're drying out from another storm.  the rain started friday night and ended last night.  this morning was gloriously sunny and cool.  reminded me of a crisp fall day on the east coast.  gave the ewes some 4 way and alfalfa when i opened their shed.  the rams have been sleeping in the lambing shed, so it's easier to give the girls some grain in the mornings without having to worry about the boys hogging it all.  i checked sarah and skittle and they both looked full of milk and ready to throw.  after everyone was fed and let out, i went inside to relax until james was awake.  around 10, he went out to clean the pens.  a few minutes later, he was back.  he said that skittle was laying down in the shed, alone, and seemed ready to lamb.

by the time i put on my shoes and walked back, the lamb's head was emerging.  skittle just looked at me, cool as can be, as the little thing wiggled its way out.  the birth was easy and only took a few seconds.  she began to lick the lamb and severed the cord by chewing it.  as he wriggled along the ground, she continued to clean him.  after last year's drama, we kept our distance and tried not to interfere.   i gave skittle some 4 way and alfalfa, and she drank alot of water.  within a few minutes, her lamb was bleeting and trying to stand.  after about 30 minutes, he was on his feet, looking for milk.  i checked her teets, made sure they weren't plugged, helped the little guy latch on, then backed off.  tango and i watched from behind the chain-link gate. every so often, skittle would walk over and lower her head to make sure tango was in check. tango can be bossy with the sheep, but he loves the babies (probably because they're just his size).  the ewe's have his number, though, and usually try to run him off when he gets too close to the newborns.

momma and baby stayed in the shed together all afternoon.  later in the day, i trimmed his cord and dipped the end in betadyne.  put a little fleece jacket on him, since it was going to dip to 40 overnight.  he was calm when i handled him. when sarah and becky joined them in the shed for the night, he was already asleep.  james and i decided to name the lamb abraham (abe).  he has a wise little face.

i'll be surprised if sarah doesn't deliver within the next couple of days.