Lambing - The Location

Over 500 ewes were expecting lambs this year on the farm. A small batch of lambs were born in February, with the rest arriving in April. Ewes are scanned to find out how many lambs they're expecting and then their backs are marked with one of three colours - red for singles, blue for twins, orange for triplets. The singles are kept in one field and the twins and triplets in another. Ewes expecting a single lamb experience far fewer problems so they stay in the field around the clock, being checked on numerous times throughout the day. The ewes expecting twins or triplets are kept in a field during the day, being checked on numerous times. At dusk they're brought into an open area of the barn and a small nearby field during the night, returning to the larger field shortly after dawn.

The barn with birthing pens and open area for use during the night.

The singles field (just the lower part of the bowl).

I love the spots on this lamb!
Poor thing got a rough and grimey landing, being born in the dirt instead of on grass or hay, but it didn't seem to mind.

A ewe expecting triplets.

Video clip circling out from the barn to one of the fields.
(The horses are boarded on the farm.)

L-R: Snip and Tucker on the quad.
These two patiently spent hours on the quad, waiting for a chance to get a ride to the field with Henry to check on the sheep. If they jumped off the quad, the command, "Load up," would send them scampering back to their positions.

My perspective when catching a ride on the quad to check the sheep. Apparently my knees were simply there to allow Snip a better view up front.

There are a number of geese living on the farm and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm afraid of them. They hiss, honk, and charge at everyone, occasionally snagging a chunk of flesh along with the stray fabric they manage to clench in their nasty little beaks. Thankfully they never got me.

A trio of farm bullies.

I always found it impressive to watch the guys drive the tractor into the barn with a huge bale of hay - mere inches on each side of the wheels. I know they've done it hundreds of times so it isn't a big deal to them, but I would probably knock the barn down if I tried it.

Ewes slowly being herded to the barn in the evening.

Ewes finding their way to the open area at the end of the barn.
(Use your imagination to add a loud chorus of "Baaing".)

Ewes with bulging bellies.