An Actual Lamb Camp

There was an exceptionally high rate of triplets this spring. While not impossible for a ewe to raise all three, it is definitely a strain on her and her lambs.  Shepherds at the two big flocks around here will routinely pull off one of the three and put them on a "lamb bar".  The Training Center keeps theirs at home and Final Frontier sends them to Foxglove Farm.

If that speckled lambie looks familiar, you have seen her before :-). 

For some reason, this group of lambs would only nurse one side of the bucket, fighting over two nipples with four more free...if they'd just move around.  Nancy couldn't figure out why.  I should check back to see if they ever did.

The first thing you learn at Lamb Camp is how to take a bottle.  This tiny lamb was from a set of quads and Kathy suspected they were a bit premature.  I saw them the day they were born and you could have held this one in one hand.  She stayed on her momma an extra couple of days to make sure she got a really good start and she's up and running!

"Hey, it's my turn!"

"I SAID, it's MY turn!"

"It's not your turn yet."

"Now it's your turn." :-)

"Can I have another turn?"

What all the stylish shepherds are wearing.  Well, Nancy's probably the only stylish shepherd I know.  Actually, I guess we all have a style...but I doubt in involves bright white socks ;-).

Foxglove Farm

Who IS That Cute Lambie?

I love to say that to baby lambs. I'm not sure if it's the tone or inflection or what, but they almost always look up at me extra cute.

"Cute lambie?"

"Where?!?"

"Oh, you mean me???"

"Me? Really???"

"Well, yeah, I guess I AM pretty cute."

Final Frontier Farm

Hop On [Mom]

"Get. Down."

"These kids are wearing me out."

Final Frontier Farm

Good Mommas

As I was running through the pictures from Foxglove Farm, I realized that many I'd picked for this post had a common theme. This frequently happens if I'm paying attention. Good mommas, hard working guard dogs, napping lambs, colorful lambs...  I narrowed it down to the good momma pics for today.

The ol' mom pillow.

Classic Jacob picture - leaving ;-).  Those are some protective moms!

Love the look on this momma's face.  "You kids go play with that stick for awhile and leave me alone."

And this momma looks like she's telling her wee one a bedtime story :-).

I was so focused in on these lambs tucked in behind the log that I completely missed how awesome their moms are standing guard.  Wish they were in focus, too :-/.

The colorful black sheep from this farm contributed to the Christmas throw.  We have something fun planned for the black and white sheep this year :-).

Something You DO See Every Day

I don't see this ending well for Eli.

"Watch it, lady!"

Could it get any better than sitting in the barn with sweet lil lambies playing around your sheep socks???

Foxglove Farm in Lexington.  More to come!

Not Something You See Every Day

Yes, these are sheep! They are Soays and there is a small flock here in Kentucky :-). 

This is Princess and her baby, Nova. 

Tiny, deer-like sheep. 

"I've got an itch I just almost can't reach!"

"Here, baby, I'll get if for you."

Princess was a bottle lamb. A very spoiled bottle lamb ;-).  This is her first baby.  In case you were wondering if a bottle lamb could turn around and be a good mother herself.

Using the ole Cheerios method ;-).

"Cheerios?"

The ram.  From the other side of fence ;-).

For more fun stories and pictures of Nova and Neo (the newest baby)...

Always Greener

I've spent quite a bit of the last couple of weeks over at Final Frontier Farm trying to help where I could with lambing. Normally everything is completely under control over there, but life is frequently not normal. Kathy's helped me so much over the years, as have many other good shepherds.  I'm happy to try and return the favor.

Because I've been gone so much, I've had to rely on extra help here at Equinox Farm.  St. Tim, of course.  Hank, of course.  Iris, of course.  Weaslie, not so much, of course ;-).  And the cats?  Still sleeping on the porch, of course.  Luckily we've got a good weed eating crew.

Maisie Marie!  What are you doing?

Because there's obviously a shortage of grass on her side of the fence...

"Mrwhagt?!?"

Chocula, showing proper form for a long legged sheep.

Daniel, too!

And on down the fence row they work.

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It probably goes without saying that I'm way behind with all sorts of things including answering emails and skirting reserved (or any :-o) fleeces.  I haven't forgotten anyone...I hope.  If you haven't heard back from me by the middle to end of next week, please check back in. 

Loved

In case you needed a smiling lamb to brighten your day :-).

Final Frontier Farm

A Little Help Here?

"I could use a little help here."

"A little help?"

"Anyone?"

"I can't believe I'm stuck here."

"Lady, can you put that camera down and get this kid off me?!?"