Actually, I don’t feel very guilty about it – but I have spent the day pottering. Sunny, two loads of washing sort of day, and I sowed some seeds – more broad beans and cabbage, brought logs in, chatted to the hens and frequent checks on the sheep.
Sharona has ‘uddered up’ – although worryingly, more so on one side…. and everything just seems difficult for her. The other two.. pff .. nothing doing. Sheila, perhaps because she heard us calling her ‘mutton’ recently, or maybe more to do with the fact we supplied extra rations during the snow days, has decided we are OK really, and accepts pats, condition scores and the occasional udder grope. Nope… nothing like that!- but just trying to judge any forthcoming lambs by her udder. I think she is just fat…
Because Sharona looks ready, we are checking all the time, every three hours in fact, I’m doing the late night shift, himself is covering the wee hours (I’m a night owl sort of person.. not a morning sort of person…) and we are feeling just slightly lamb-lagged.
So, I’m going to allow myself a little pottering..
Pottering is good….best of luck with the lambing, keeps us informed. Ours still has 6 1/2 weeks to go.
At least you know for sure that Sharona is pregnant – we have no idea of any of our three are. Let’s hope all our sheep are and each produces a nice set of healthy twins (or triplets if they can cope!). Good luck on the night shift.
thanks all – I would rather not have triplets again, last time did nto work out so well, and its quite a strain on the ewe… healthy twins would be good.. single would be fine.. I’d settle for Sharona coming through though
Rosie – do you know when yours might produce if they are pregnant?
No idea – we put the ram in with them at the beginning of November meaning April is the absolute earliest. But they weren’t well before Xmas so we could be looking at June or even July.
ah right….well start looking for signs in April then 🙂
How did last night go, any news?
I’ve seen that lop-sided “bag” thing with one of our older ewes. It didn’t last very long, and everything “came out all right” in the end. I wouldn’t worry.
Mick – thanks for that – I really hope you are right – she bagged up on one side big time, now the other is catching up…
Sandra – nothing doing yet.. just a lack of sleep for us.. son has decided to be ill too, ack… tired me! (himself and I have a sweepstake going, I have predicted Sharona will start 1 am Thursday morning….)
Ooh – can I join the sweepstake!! I reckon 5pm Thursday evening.
OK – you’re in – but 5pm? far too convenient.. bound to be middle of the night.. in the rain…. etc etc 🙂
Well it’s just gone 6pm here – so 5pm British time. Are you in the lambing shed?
no. *sigh*. I’m worried about her.. her condition score is not good.. everything looks difficult… udder full, no sign of lambing….
Oh dear I hope all is well. What were her first/last possible dates? If she is bagging up it shouldn’t too much longer.
I don’t know if sheep ‘drop’ like cows just before calving. .. a hollow/dip either side of her tail.
What score do you think she is or has lost?
I’m sure she will be fine ,you are taking good care of her
Thanks Paula – yeh I’m hoping for a surprise.. but..well.. they seem very unpregnant…
Sandra – she started to bag up about a week ago, we are three weeks into the possible six/seven week window. she has looked hollowed out for about 4 weeks.. and now her spine sticks out… – we are giving her extra rations etc, but I think the lambs are getting the benefit, and she just doesn’t have the stomach space. she has extra saddle bags and a tummy.. and these last couple of days, her udder has become very large.. just like last year it all seems too much now.. and last year that was the point at which she lambed. But last year she had trips and only 1 survived…
I can’t believe it’s that time again – wasn’t it just a moment ago it happened the first time?
I hope she does you proud this year – and those others…well, mutton as you mumbled (but they may surprise you).
Good luck, thinking of you.
ooh Good luck thinking of you .You must all be a bit K*******d by now.
Certainly sounds as if though she is giving everything to the lambs. Must be soon.
All the best
thanks Sandra…