SPRINGTIME ON THE FARM -LAMBS AND MORE

     Springtime in Virginia - there is nothing quite like it.  Lambing is finally done and we have 13 babies on the ground.  Here is the breakdown  2 barbados ewes (retained), 1 Black Babydoll ewe (sold), 3 black Babydoll rams (for salle), 3 black barbados doll ewes (1 retained, 2 for sale), 2 Black Cheviot Doll rams (wethered and for sale), 2 black cheviot doll ewes (for sale).  Photos are in the Gallery under Lamnbs2009.

     A word about Babydoll cross size.  Breed standard for a Babydoll is 24".  All of my lambs will meet that standard and several will be smaller by 3-4".    Babydolls will be registered (unless wethered) and crosses will not. 

     With all the babies it can get pretty noisy.  Moms calling for babies, babies calling for mom.  Of course when the babies call, they don't move - they expect mom to come to them.  How the mom's tell them all apart I'll never know although its not uncommon to spot a lamb trying to sneak a snack from someone else's mom.  Fortunatley the moms all have eyes in their teats so they know when there is an interloper.

     Here are several photos of Springtime at the farm:

     You'll recall that Simone had triplet ewes.  One has become a bottle baby out of necessity - she was just too small to compete.  Her name is Aida and here are a few pictures of her:

      Most people look at a pasture with animals and see - a pasture with animals.  I see something more - a real community doing well - real stuff.  If you look closely you'll see the animals engaging in activities much the same as we do - especially when the weather turns nice.  For example:

     Lunching with friends....

    Or alone....

    Or grabbing a quick bite on the run....

    Sunbathing....

    Napping in the sun....

     Hanging out with friends in the "hood"...

     Or alone with mom....

    Going to the playground...

    Taking a stroll with mom in the park....

    Watching a wrestling match....

    And of course, family picnics....

      Of course one of the favorite springtime activities for people and cats is bird watching.  Unlike people, cats use creativity when attempting to "catch a glimpse - or maybe a feather or two..."   Here are some photos of our barn kitties' bird watching techniques:

      Go to where they live....

      Go to where they play....

       Post lookouts on the ground:

       Establish surveillance

       Gain entry into their sanctuary

     Eventually the kitties give up and go back to playing with frogs and crickets and anything else that crosses their path.

     I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and a beautiful Spring.  Stay tuned for more updates and hopefully a copy of an article soon to be published about the Farm in a local newspaper.

Many blessings.

Sharon