Spring time is lambing time! (Pic Heavy)

[Taz_Zoee]

Those are great pictures! It was nice to learn about the different kinds of sheep. Seems like you had an amazing time.

[Roxyluvsme13]

Ahhh, I find this extremely interesting, of course! The lambs are precious and what an amazing experience! We never get to do anything THAT cool here, haha.

[Miss Z]

Wow, thank you so much for all the lovely comments!

Ahhh, I find this extremely interesting, of course! The lambs are precious and what an amazing experience! We never get to do anything THAT cool here, haha.

Ah I'm sure you will at some point, Bri! It's definitely worth all the studying when you get to put it all into practice and see it make a difference. I hope your vet studies are going well.

I went with my family to the state fair one summer. The local Future Farmers were giving a talk about sheep and lambs, with several sheep standing by for "hands on" demonstrations . I got to put the palm of my hand on a ewe 's coat and gently put my fingertips in the fleece. It was so thick, it came all the way up to my first knuckles! And soft, and plush

Yes you're right Elyse, the fleece is surprisingly thick! There were a couple that had been shorn due to getting mites earlier on in the year, and you realise their true size - it's quite a difference!

I'm surprised they don't just keep a database of ewes by ear tag numbers for things like age, etc. Paul looked at me and said "You'd just give them all names, and know them that way!" He knows me well!

The ewes did have ear tags with the flock number on them and were colour co-ordinated as to the year they were born, but as far as I know they didn't detail the individual animal. I'm pretty sure you're right, though, in that a lot of farms do keep records of that kind. As for knowing them all by name, I think I'd be right with you on that one.... all 800 of them!

Is the all black one considered "undesirable" and so not used in the future breeding cycles?

It's interesting that you say that, since I was recently watching a documentary on Welsh history, and apparently the old Welsh breed used to consist of black animals. Black wool wasn't favoured in the spinning industry from about 1500 right up until the 1900s, and the black animals were gradually bred out to produce the white sheep of today. So I suppose at a time she would have been undesirable! But since the British wool industry is now virtually non-existent, she'll be a future breeding animal I would imagine. The farmer was quite taken with her too so I think he may keep her on a while yet.

The countryside reminded me of the vet series All Creatures Big and Small. Kay in NC

It is indeed quite similar countryside. ACGS was set and filmed in Yorkshire, the neighbouring county to my home county of Lancashire.

When you said you needed to lend a "hand" to a help deliver a ewe, I started laughing out loud!! I delivered a lamb while visiting my friend's farm in VT. Talk about losing your watch!!!! Messy, but the ending was happy.

This made me laugh too - I was always careful to check I still had my watch after each delivery... even though it was on my left arm! And I agree, it's a messy and sometimes exhausting affair, but when you get the little one taking that first breath, there's no reward like it.

[aTailOf2Kitties]

thank you for the pictures! I used to work at a vet that would also treat farm animals. We seldom had sheep but goats were pretty common. The babies are so friggin' adorable!

[moosmom]

The rewards of what you are doing are PRICELESS!!

Oh, and when I was helping the ewe be born, I took my watch off BEFORE hand. I saw the movie "City Slickers" and remembered that scene.

You are so in your element, Zara. You are loving what you do and is certainly shows in that beautiful face of yours!!! Thanks for the pics.

[chocolatepuppy]

Thanks for sharing all of these pictures with us! Those little lambs are adorable! And as others have said Zara, we're very proud of you!

[Freedom]

Thanks for the answer, Zara. Best wishes on exams.

[cassiesmom]

Those are great pictures! It was nice to learn about the different kinds of sheep. Seems like you had an amazing time.

Agree agree! Wow, look at all the different sheep and lambs! The little ones have such cute faces! I've never seen a black lamb before!

I went with my family to the state fair one summer. The local Future Farmers were giving a talk about sheep and lambs, with several sheep standing by for "hands on" demonstrations . I got to put the palm of my hand on a ewe 's coat and gently put my fingertips in the fleece. It was so thick, it came all the way up to my first knuckles! And soft, and plush. There were a bunch of little children carefully patting the surface of the sheep's coats with their hands, which was so very cute! The sheep didn't seem to mind all those kids touching them.

These are awesome pictures! Thank you for the pictures of the countryside and the sheep dogs, too!

[Karen]

Oh, wow! Thanks for sharing! I'm surprised they don't just keep a database of ewes by ear tag numbers for things like age, etc. Paul looked at me and said "You'd just give them all names, and know them that way!" He knows me well!

[Freedom]

*GASP!* Wow! I am breathless just from LOOKING at these great photos. How amazing for you to actually BE there, and to be the vet on site during lambing season.

Is the all black one considered "undesirable" and so not used in the future breeding cycles? All those baby lamb faces, oh my, I am so full inside! Even the ewes are very nice looking, lol.

Thank you, thank you so very much, for thinking of us here on PT, and taking pics for folks like us who don't actually need to see the vet pics, lol.

[sallyandsnowx]

Oh my, the little ones are so cute! These are wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing them. I really enjoying seeing the different breeds and post birth photos. Looks like you had a spectacular time!

[Husky_mom]

I've always looooved black lambs/sheep .. the one you helped to be born is soooooo cute!!.. I would've taken it home :P ..

[robinh]

Great pictures! And some really good information. Never knew there were that many kinds of lambs/sheep. Thanks for sharing!

[kaycountrygal]

Oh My! Thank you so much for sharing all those great photos. I've always lived in the country in North Carolina USA but I have never seen lambs born--have seen calves born. Just terrific! I've always thought little lambs are just precious. Good pics of you and baby lamb. Thanks for sharing; I really enjoyed your writeup with the photos. I bet you will be a good vet when you complete your studies. The countryside reminded me of the vet series All Creatures Big and Small. Kay in NC

[Cataholic]

How adorable, both the lambs and you!