• Feb. 3, 2009
The Lambs Have Landed!
Last week all our careful checking finally paid off, and Doodle went into labor, eventually delivering 2 healthy female lambs!! It's a big relief to have them here and doing well. Doodle was considerate enough to go into action in early evening (instead of some ungodly hour like 3am) and it wasn't the coldest of nights- I think it was about 25 degrees in the barn. (still cold but much better than the 8 degree night we had last year)
just born - wet and weak
This is a perfect example of why we try to watch them so closely - the first lamb was breech, which involved a good amount of effort on our part as well as hers. When they were finally born, they were pretty weak. We spent some time toweling them off vigorously - this both dries them off and helps get their circulation going. As they were still so weak we "tubed" them, which involves taking some milk from mom and feeding them via a tube down their little necks. (not something I'd like to do myself but we had an experienced helper here) The milk really helped get them going and before long they were up and on their feet, staggering about, trying to figure out how to get more milk.
Doodle has proven to be a very good mom, she is gentle and careful around her babies - much more so that her own mother, which was how she ended up with a broken leg back then. I took a little video of the three of them - just listen to the little noises she makes as she tends to them.
We've also been celebrating a birthday (oldest boy turned 17!!) and tending to the farmer's Nana (who turned 93!), and keeping up with the normal activities. Thankfully there's a little breather before the next round of babies and we can catch our breath a bit. Congratulations Doodle!
Comments
• Feb. 3, 2009
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Posted by Oiyi
Congrats to Doodle!!! It made me tear up to read about Doodle and see those pictures. So sweet!
www.oiyi.blogspot.com
• Feb. 3, 2009
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Posted by Thimbleanna
Well, I was about to get after you for being gone so long, but what a fantastic excuse! LOVED the video and the sound -- so cool to hear them and that little lambie cry at the end. THANKS for sharing with those of us less fortunate! Do they have names yet? I'm not surprised Doodle is a good mama -- she was raised by a good surrogate LOL.
Happy Belated Birthday to your new 17-yr-old!
• Feb. 3, 2009
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Posted by Anonymous
Oh how cute! I love the name "doodle"!
Randi
I have to say
• Feb. 4, 2009
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Posted by Vickie
Doodle looks like she is doing a great job and I love that sound you talked about. I have never heard that kind of noise before. Very sweet. I can't wait to see what comes next. Thanks for sharing!
VAPurl
www.thevirginiapurl.blogspot.com
• Feb. 4, 2009
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Posted by woolwinder
I really enjoyed the video. The lambs are so sweet!
• Feb. 4, 2009
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Posted by Toni
"Landed" is a very good description of the new arrivals...lol. And both being girls is a blessing in itself. Looks like you're off to a good year. :)
• Feb. 7, 2009
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Posted by Anonymous
What a sweet and gentle Mom Doodle is - those little ones are just precious and I loved the video and the sweet sounds. Thanks for the great pics and keep on sharing.
Hugs - Mrs. Farmhouse
• Feb. 11, 2009
babies
Posted by Anonymous
Awwwwwww, they are so adorable!
~Nachaele Olson
• Feb. 11, 2009
from Fringey
Posted by Anonymous
Hey- that's great! 2 girls and good size it appears...:) we are used to dwarfs :) Congrats- a barn cam- I love it...even though it doesn't get that cold here and we plan our births for late spring- it beats the walks in the middle of the night anywhere :) Are you dropping this early because of fair dates? Are you keeping them for breeding stock? Questions Questions!
• Feb. 12, 2009
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Posted by Junie Moon
What a great way to celebrate the birthdays at your house--with the birth of new lambs. Life is good!
• Feb. 25, 2009
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Posted by Anonymous
Aw, very cute. The babies are adorable! Congratulations :)
hakucho :)
