Arrival of the Lambs

A few weeks ago, Glenn moved the cattle and sheep into a pasture that had been unused all winter.  His plan was to keep the livestock in that location for about one month before moving them closer to the house for the birthing season.    One week ago, a set of twin lambs and a pretty little South poll calf were born…a month early.  Glenn decided to keep the livestock put as there was still lots of grass to consume and that those births were only an early anomaly – not.

Yesterday, after Glenn made his daily rounds, he rushed back into the house saying we had to move the ewes. Not only were there four new lambs, but he had just scared off a coyote that was within seconds of capturing his breakfast…a newborn lamb – ugh!  

Once on the scene, Snowball got the coyote’s scent and took off, but that coyote was gone.  Unfortunately, he was gone only for the moment.  He will be back as lambs are an easy meal.

To get those ewes and lambs moved to the pasture below the house, we had to separate them from the cows and move them through two other pastures.  Easy - not. Lambs do not move very fast.  They take a few steps and lie down to nap.

One ewe had triplets and traipsed right through the middle of the curious and much larger cows.  The three lambs scattered in three directions.  The mother ewe was panicked not knowing which lamb to retrieve first.  The cows were excited by the teeny tiny creatures.  I panicked as I thought all three babies would be stomped on and crushed.  I did not know which lamb to retrieve first. Fortunately, as I advanced the cows turned and retreated in the opposite direction.  All the lambs were safe. 

Triplets and their Mommy

triplets and mom moving toward their new pasture

I continued to follow behind the ewes and all the new lambs (the current count turned out to be 9) as I tried to direct them through one pasture and into the next.  Glenn had to go around to open the gate into the final pasture.  At times, I had to pick up the napping lambs and carry them to keep the process moving. 

Snowball stayed near investigating his new charges.

Are you my mommy?

I am here to protect you little one.

The ewes and lambs are now happily grazing in the pasture right below the house.  We can view their every move.  And, watch for new arrivals.

Snowball’s job is  to keep the coyotes away.

We, like we do every lambing season, are keeping our fingers crossed.