Spring must be around the corner here with rising temperatures but no green yet. Its hard to imagine that I went skiing at Mission Ridge in a fresh foot of powder only last week! Another sure sign of spring around here is the way Jackie gets restless, pacing back and forth, making frequent trips out to the barn. Sometimes I wonder, was I this anxious also when she was expecting our children?
Jackie takes great joy in raising Shetland Sheep. Last Sunday they were all sheared, as Clint the shearer said he could do the pregnant ones a day before delivery. One of our two expecting ewes gave birth Tuesday night! That was cutting it close. Now everyone is on delivery watch.
I remember last year when we had 3 new lambs. These little creatures are so full of energy for the first few weeks after birth. They jump and sproing everywhere! They seem to have the energy of animals many times their size. Its as if they naturally have a nice long party to dance and celebrate their own birth. Then add more than one, and the entertainment really begins. I think I’ll make a point to take more time out to watch their show this year, because they do settle down after awhile.
Can you help watch?
The former chicken coop webcam has been relocated for awhile in the sheep birthing area. You can view it below, and even move it around some. If you see the fat looking brown ewe, Madison, giving birth or acting strangely, please send us and email: marshall [at] genverters.com or leave a message on the genverters.com hotline: (509) 433-7038 We’d love to have more eyes on this! Click on the image below to see the live view.
[ here is Jackie's announcement]
We have a lamb! A EWE lamb, YEAH! She was born the evening of April 13. Lydia sneakily birthed in between checks. She is very efficient, and a GOOD mother, VERY attentive.
The lamb is currently blackish with dark brown highlights in the light, and has a pink tongue, so will probably lighten up, as I understand it. But, I’m calling her black for now. Oh, and she has a small white spot on forehead.
She weighed 3lbs, and is friendly already. Ondra likes to name lambs after presidents. Even the girls. So this lamb is RUTHerford B. Hayes, but will be called Hayes. Enjoy the pictures!
Find out more about the sheep in Jackie’s post: Shetland Sheep Can Grow on You
Have you ever wanted sheep? What kind? Tell us more in the comments below!
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Thank You,
I have never ever seen Shetland sheep before, so pretty, even though I live on a farm here in Tasmania, Aus, with well over 2000 Saxon and another flock of black faced Suffolk, again, thank you showing the
sheep…
Bye,
DSP…
Yes these sheep are probably smaller than the ones in your area. Thanks for dropping by from down under!
I see from your comment on my ezinearticle,com article that you have intermittent power problems. A genverter system, using the intermittent grid power for charging would work very well and disconnects you from brief grid failures.
Hellow Marshall Agn,
Yes, your sheep may be a little smaller, BUT they are to my old eyes prettier…I started some months ago building up an off the grid setup, 8 solar panels, and a 2.6k wind unit, here in the midlands of Tasmania,
AUS, we receive 350+ days of good useable wind and 215 days of useable UV days…In retirement I raise chickens with an incubator
and I do have an 8kva generating unit, but I cannot use that full time for a 40 watt incubator loading, and last year suffered 62 power outages, 1 was for 37.5 hours, and I’m an active “Ham” so a decent battery back up is a must,I do have 3 off 5000 watt UPS units
so 1 way or another I’ll beat the power breaks, and again Marshall, hi hi, you and your wife’s sheep are prettier than ours…
Bye,
David…