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Our first VAI lambs and the first lambs of 2008 just arrived!
Click on the photos to see a larger image. Still can't get your lamb fix. Click here to veiw more April lamb photos. April 7th 7:30 am
I was reading posts on our ISBONA discussion group this morning when I ran across a few regarding the gestation period of Icelandic sheep being less than the 150 days of other breeds of sheep. I knew this and figured it in when calculating due dates for my ewes in the past but for some reason I totally spaced it this year. When I realized that today would be 141 days for Astrid I put on my boots and ran out the door. Much to my surprise were two beautiful ewe lambs, one solid black the other spotted black mouflon, all dried off and following mom to the hay-feeder. Their tummies were full and they looked great so I thought it best not to mess with them just yet. I threw them some hay and when back into the house to finish my coffee. I went back out later to do chores and set up a lambing jug in the shed. I put Astrid and her new lambs in the shed, dipped the lambs navels with iodine, gave mom a slice of hay and fresh water. Astrid has loads of milk, these lambs should grow fast. I'm so excited to add these beautiful VAI Thokki lambs to our little flock!
April 9th 2008
After their shots and moms annual boosters Astrid and her new Thokki daughters were free to explore their new world in the maternity ward.
April 8th 2008
Monika had a nice ram lamb by Preston at 7:00 am. Our Horse Charybdis had to see what all the fuss was about. Watch for her foal in the coming weeks. More to follow!
April 9th 2008
Big and beautiful, this single ram lamb looks just like his father. I'm so impressed with his conformation. We were wondering if Preston carried moorit but I think the small brown spot on this little lambs back may be an indication that he does. This little ram lamb should grow fast not having to compete with another sibling for momma's milk. Lull before the storm (literally). A few days to wait until the next lambs arrive from Mora or Margret. So, which one will be first? I didn't catch their breeding dates but I know it will be soon. In the mean time, we're expecting an early spring snow storm with high winds and up to 15 inches of snow. It's time to batten down the hatches. I hope the ewes and our two mares Scylla and Charybdis wait to give birth at least until the storm is over.
April 25, 2008 This morning at 5:30 am Mora had beautiful solid moorit ram lambs by
Valur.
Lambing out yearlings can be challenging at times. First-time moms can test your shepherding skills, fortunately I've had very good luck with them but it does take some extra attention to those ewe lambs needs before they lamb. Mora had these beautiful lambs unassisted. I went out to do my early morning sheep checks and there they were, all dried off and drinking their first milk. Mora is being a wonderful first-time mother.
April 26th, 2008 Oh, how happy I was to find these lovely twin ewe lambs from Margret and Preston! I went out to do my evening lamb check at 10:30 pm and found these very white lovely lambs all dried off and drinking. I went back to the house and left Margret alone to bond with her lambs before going back out to pen them up for the night. I'm so happy with Preston's lambs this year. I love all of the colourful Icelandic sheep but the structure of Preston's white lambs will be a great addition to the genetics of my flock.
May 2nd, 2008 Two beautiful sets of twins twenty minutes apart!
May 2nd, 2008
Josephine's lambs
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No reproduction rights are granted, licensed or sanctioned in any form or manner and are hereby exclusively reserved by the artist, David W. Grote