Saturday, September 29, 2012

Warning, farm type blog post happening...

Hi blog buddies!
It's been a busy week here at our wee lifestyle block. There's been loads of exciting spring activities, and some sad ones.
One of the exciting things to happen over the last week was the arrival of two new lambs. It's lovely to see them bouncing around the paddocks.

But something else exciting happened this week too. Wait for it......
Introducing.....
Diana Ross and the Supremes!! Woo Hoo!!
And they sing some lovely songs, especially while they're sitting in their nest boxes!
And look what they give me each day....
But yesterday bought some sad news, and it's the part of having animals that I hate. One of our lovely friendly ewes went into labour but got into difficulty having her lamb. I needed to try and help her but couldn't find the legs to help pull the lamb out. In the end we had to call the vet, who not only managed to get one lamb out, but pulled 2 lambs out!
It was exciting that the lambs were still alive after the mother had had so much trouble during her labour, and it lasting for 8 hours or more.
But sadly she lost a lot of her internal organs and the vet had to put her down. I felt silly sitting in the middle of the paddock holding her head and crying.
I bought her 2 wee lambs inside and they slept the night in our laundry. A ewe lamb born first and a ram lamb.
I didn't expect the little one laying down to survive, he didn't seem too strong and wasn't very interested in drinking any milk. But this morning I got up at 4am and fed them and he drank a little milk. Then this morning they looked excited to be alive and I put them outside to enjoy the sun.
Then I made a small pen for them.
They seem quite happy, and they cuddle up to each other while they sleep.
What a joy.
Would you like to come help me bottle feed them?
I think my days are going to be busier for a while!
Hope you're all having a lovely weekend,
See you soon,
Carole x

18 comments:

Jennifer said...

Sad to hear you lost a sheep. But her twinnies are cute, aren't they? Your new chooks are very gorgeous girls and I bet those eggs are good!

Ali Honey said...

Ah, those were the days...before becoming orchardist we were farmers.I don't miss bottle feeding lambs very much at all.
When we were kids if we feed the lambs we got all the proceeds from the lambs as they grew up - wool clip and all.

Michelle said...

There is nothing more rewarding than helping wee lambs survive. Love the new chickens-what will you do with your eggs?
Michelle

Charlotte Scott said...

Oh bugger. It's not fun when you lose an animal. And enjoy your lambies while they are little. It's when they start eating your roses that they are a pain ;) Like your chooks too - nothing like FRESH eggs.

Unknown said...

Oh bless their hearts - they are adorable and what a trauma for you to go through. It's bad enough when one of my old bantams die - but to lose a a sheep must have been dreadful for you.

You'll be rushed off your feet bottle feeding to lambs won't you - thank goodness it is spring over there and that the weather is warming up

And if I could whizz over to NZ or get 'transported' like StarTrek, I would be there in a heart beat

Jill said...

Oh gosh, how cute are they? I'm sorry to hear about your ewe. You have to be tough on a farm don't you?

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the mama lamb. That would be tough for me to deal with as my heart just aches when I see any animal suffering or dying. But those two little lambs sure are cute and I'm glad to hear they are doing well. I hope Diana Ross and the Supremes continue to make sweet music, too. :) Best wishes, Tammy

Magpie's Mumblings said...

awwww - how sad, and how wonderful, all rolled into one.

Linda Jo said...

I love the lambs. Wish I was close, so I could help. Poor mama... And, yes, the chickens are wild women! Love em!

Unknown said...

It is sad when you lose an animal, but the two little lambs are so cute. My sister bottle feeds her baby goats and I get to help sometimes. I would help you if I lived in your part of the world. Fresh eggs area so yummy. Have a wonderful spring, we are having a very nice autumn here.

~*~Patty S said...

Ditto what Linda said...I know you're a good lambie mother ... they are precious!

feels like I've been away for a month...
oxo

Breesmimi said...

Awww so sweet! The little lambs. So sad the ewe couldn't be saved. When we lived on a farm we had twin calves born on Christmas eve and we named them Chris and Kringle, we bottle feed those babies too! Best wishes to you and your lambs!

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Oh that's so sad about the momma ewe. I don't think it's silly at all to cry about it! They are so cute! I'd love to come down and help you bottle feed them!!!

Stitching Lady said...

Oh, I pity the poor mother sheep, she must have suffered tremendously. And she is no more able to enjoy her twins. It is cruel. I wish you much luck with the little ones.

rosie said...

Hi Carole, I can so relate to this post.. I am so glad the twinnies survived, and so sad about the ewe.. I love my farm, but there are lots of things I hate, and losing mums would be one of them.
Just been flicking through your posts and loving all those yummy textiles, wish I was your student!!

Debrina said...

I really feel for you reading this post, Carole. The poor girl. She was lucky to have such a caring keeper and bless you for being with her till the end. It's heart wrenching to see anything die, but at least her babies survived. They are in good hands. Can't wait to watch them thrive!

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...


Oh I'm so sorry about your mama Ewe! I would hace done the same thing! What cuties these two are! I'd love to come help you feed them!!!! :D

Annie Jeffries said...

It's amazing how admiring a bit of fabric on Pinterest got me to this heartwarming story of little survivors. The lambs are adorable and grown?? by now. I didn't notice the date of the post. So sweet. Sorry the mommy ewe lost the struggle.