Lambanation ~ We've Got Lambs!

     Yesterday started out like any typical Sunday.  Well, it started out with me hoping I didn't have another Murphy's law week, actually, but that's neither here nor there.  It was a glorious day!
     I went out to take care of morning chores.  I also had a plan brewing.  You see, I knew our ewes were to begin delivering their lambs any time, and we hadn't sheared yet, so it seemed like a good day to get some of it done.  Besides, Hon was home, and I needed his help with the big girls.  I can wrestle smaller ewes just fine.  It's those older girls that give me a run for my money sometimes.
     I thought everything started out same 'ole same 'ole to the fur and feathers.  Then I went to the red barn and saw Dandy sitting in there on her own, which she doesn't do.  I said a big, "Uh-oh!"  Definitely needed to get her sheared first, I figured.  I didn't do anything out of the ordinary to raise sheep suspicions...until I closed the stall gate while the four older ewes were in there eating.  Then they knew there was definitely something up and they didn't want to be involved.  I told them my plan was to finish up chores, go in and eat breakfast, and then bring Hon out to help me get them trimmed up with Dandy being first on account of her looking from the back end like she was going to blow any time.
     I went inside, ate my scrumptious bowl of Lucky Charms (because I was in a hurry to get back out and, of course, they're magically delicious) and filled Hon in on my plans.  I had everything together for shearing, so we were ready to go.
     Well, let me tell you, Dandy must have understood every word I said, because when she turned around to give me the butt end of her thoughts on the matter, there was no question she was in labor.  I had Hon get a hold of her so I could give her a quick maternity cut and then we walked her over to the barn (that's the old barn, as opposed to the red barn) where a stall awaited her.  Now, for those of you don't know what the maternity cut is, that's where I take the hand shears (the non-electric old fashioned kind, because that's what I use) and trim up around her back end and udder.  I think some folks call it a "V" cut or something like that.  She was not happy in the least, but at least I knew the lambs could get to the goods, and that's what was important.
     After we got Dandy situated in the luxurious labor suite, we got a hold of Dahlia and started playing beauty parlor.  Now remember, I use the hand shears, so I don't do the best of jobs, but I get it done.  They might not be cut right down close to the skin, but I get close, and think I do a pretty good job considering.  If you want to see someone do some sheep shearing while sitting them on their behinds and flipping them around in a professional manner you'll need to go to our friend Neil's place.  Here, you get the economy show.
     Anyway, while we were taking care of Dahlia's cut and style, I asked Kid to check on Dandy and see how she was doing. He came back to tell me she had a moorit (that's brown) lamb.  Well lambination, that was quick!  We finished up with Dahlia and then I went over to look in on the new family.  Low and behold, I walked in on her birthing her second lamb, so she had twins.  That makes her first year with a single, and then last year and this year with twins.  Bravo Dandy!
     So, there you have it folks.  Lambing time has begun here with Dandy having the first set of twins for 2013...oh, and they're both ewes, unless I'm mistaken.  It's kind of hard to tell there in the dark, and with them being dark, as I follow them around on my hands and knees trying to see the parts, but I'm pretty positive they're girls.  Mama and babies are doing fantastic!  As for Dandy not getting her full shear, she thinks she's missed her appointment, but I've rescheduled her for a later date.  I mean...really...what does she think she's going to do to get out of it this time?  M

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