Sheep TV...Part Two

They were watching Annmarie bring in some new lambs from the field!

Ewes have the option of lambing out in the field at The Training Center and most seem to prefer to do so.  This works out well because they can get off by themselves if they want to and the grass that gets "sterilized" by the sun is usually "cleaner" than a barn.  Of course this is only helpful if the weather is warm and sunny, as so many of our spring days have been this year.

Once the momma has had a chance to settle in and clean up her new lambs, they are moved into small "jug" pens in the sheep barn so they can be monitored for the first several days.  It's important to make sure the ewe has enough milk, has no complications from delivery, loves and bonds with her lambs, the lambs are healthy and strong, they can get tagged and recorded...

Moving lambs and their mom out of the field can be a bit complicated.  It's important to not stress them any more than you absolutely have to.  If you only need to move them a short distance, you can pretty easily pick up the lambs and carry them into the barn.  It's important to carry them down near the ground though so the ewe can see them.  Since "lambs can't fly", she'd never think to look up for them and can panic.  

If you have to cover some distance or the ewe has twins or triplets, the trip in from the field can become quite a challenge.  Annmarie's golf cart set up is perfect.  You pick up the lambs and secure them in a small dog crate that is attached to a low step at the back of the cart.  The cage is low enough that's it's easy for the ewe to see and hear her lambs and she'll follow them right down to the barn.

Escorted by a loyal guardian dog :-).

And her hard working flock dog, Shep, who watches carefully from inside the golf cart.

You can see how carrying them this low, even when they are smaller than these large lambs, could be hard, especially if you are lambing lots of ewes.  I love the expression on Sam's face :-).

"See momma, here they are.  Let's go on into the barn."

Well, after we take a couple quick shots of an exceptionally colorful lambie ;-).

The very best time of the year!