Little Lambs

Andrew bought day old still wet twin lambs into the house a week ago after their mother decided to walk away from them. We dried them, put them beside the fire, and hand fed them lamb replacement formula through a tube at first, and later from beer bottles (which just happen to be the right size to fit the lamb bottle nipples we keep in stock).

Most sheep are wonderful mothers, but it happens every year that there are some who just can't figure it out. Sometimes it's because Mom knows best, and the lamb is ill - that happened the first year with Oliver Twist who died after a week. Last year we had no abandoned lambs, but the year before we had the memorable duo of Portia and Jessica who would leap out of their box at night and tap dance on the tiles in the kitchen. They are having babies of their own this year.

So while the other lambs frolic and skip outside, these two were in here. Frolicing and skipping. Bleating and wagging their little tails when they see us. And for all the annoyance of having babies in the house theat need to be bottlefed every few hours, they are really really cute. Totally adorable.

Every morning after feeding, the girls take them outside to play while I clean out their crate and put fresh sawdust down. Back in they come, feed again, and fall into a heap together to sleep.

There is nothing so sweet as a baby lamb, and they quickly become favourites - even the dog and cats like them. But what in the end do you do with baby lambs?

After a couple of weeks, they can stay outside in the pen, but we still have to feed them formula until the snow goes and the young green grass is ready. And then there is the reintroduction to the flock which takes time. Sheep are so darn cliquey.

But last year we had a woman contact us looking to buy a baby lamb for a pet. She has a small property with a goat, some chickens and a small pony or two. We dug out her email and asked if she'd be interested in two lambs. And she said yes.

One of the things we do here is sell breeding stock. Increase the rare Jacob herd where possible. These two are not purebreds, but they are perfect for pets.

Andrew took them to work this morning, and the lady is going to pick up these two beautiful creatures. I'm happy for them, but it was difficult to say goodbye. The kids cried last night when we told them. And I am dreading the moment they come down and realise the lambs are not here.