[Jacob-list] Lambing and pregnant Mom's!

[Jgrisner at aol.com]

Hello to everyone!

Just wanted to share our first birth of this spring. Friday the 13th turned 
out to be a very lucky day for us this year. I went out to do chores and found 
a beautiful, brand new ewe lamb. I am truly impressed with how tough these 
Jacobs really are. It was maybe 10 degrees (wind chill of below zero) and even 
though we have a barn, none of our sheep will use it. This lamb was born in the 
hay pile, dried and attended to by Molly (her Mom) and was on her feet and 
keeping up with everyone, within an hour. We are entertained with her chicken 
chasing and her independent nature, as poor Molly tries to keep her at her side. 

It was interesting that Molly had her baby first. I had been watching Dolly, 
as her udder and belly seemed much larger and she was showing the "Momma to 
be" signs. This is the 18th and Dolly is still waddling around the pen. I'm 
wondering though, at her odd actions this evening. Dolly will eat out of your 
hand, but doesn't want to be touched. This evening I reached under her to see how 
tight her udder was. She didn't run as usual, so I scratched her belly while I 
was there. She stayed right there and let me scratch her belly, head & neck, 
until my legs gave out from squatting. Do you suppose tonight is the night?

We own a lot of different animals ( mini donkeys, paint horses, pigmy goats, 
dogs & cats) and have had several that seem to want my company while in labor. 
To be able to watch a new life come into the world, is such a special time. 
Most of our girls just suprise us with their new borns, so I feel blessed when 
I can be there to watch.

I'm off to check on Dolly again before bed ( not sure why, as most of my 
girls seem to have their babies in the daylight).

Happy lambing to everyone!
Gail, from Kansas
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