I was at Garth Hall as early as possible, as usual. Neil thought Munchie was uncomfortable and had seen Titan’s Daughter going into the nursery last thing so I had my hopes up. I went straight to the airlock because twins trump singles. And what did I see and hear? Only a new lamb. Just by the gate. It was Molly. As I walked through the pen to see her, I saw Munchie on a ledge in the small quarry.
Woohoo, just like buses, you wait for one and two come at once! Molly’s lamb was just getting to it’s feet. I had a quick look. Ram. As I gave him back and told Molly how clever she was, I turned my attention to Munchie, just in time to see her lamb fall off the ledge…I ran over and she slid down towards it. She had only had one at this point. At least there wasn’t another one about to fall off. The lamb was just lying there. Oh no! 🤦♀️ Then Munchie made the Mammy Ewe rumbling noise and the lamb answered. Phew! It was ok. I checked it over and noticed testicles. I watched for a moment or two. There was already a little set of hooves visible so I had time to leave her to check Titan’s Daughter.
I strode off with purpose towards the nursery and nearly bumped into her. Her and her lamb were actually by the ring feeder. It was a lovely looking lamb. I checked and noticed testicles. Flipping heck mun, are there not going to be any females? Don’t get me wrong, I was delighted about the number of lambs altogether in one morning but they were all boys! I did a fast forward walk around and there weren’t any more that I could see. I pet the chickens out and went back to the wellfield. Molly’s lamb was up on his feet and he was HUGE! I got closer and noticed Munchie had already had her second. I started taking photos and videos to send on the chat. I also picked up Munchie’s second baby and was beyond delighted to discover that she was a girl! 👏
With them all happy, it was time for me to get on with the rest of my work. I fed the alpacas and protected Ghost and Tex from Olaf. Olaf is getting really stroppy and stopping them from eating so I had to stand around and waft my hand at Olaf to stop him. He did think about turning on me but thought better of it. And then the ewe I had filmed delivering live, was wandering around, calling for her lamb. Neil has mentioned that they are both as bad as each. Last night, the lamb was playing about on the top of the quarry with no sign of his mother 🤦♀️ This morning there was no sign of him. I sighed, I’d have to go and look for him. Just at that moment, another ewe and lamb started walkng from the top of the boys field. There was a lamb following them. I recognised him. He started bawling for his mother. The trouble was, they weren’t that far apart but had to go around the fence of the boys field. They couldn’t quite get it. It’s a bit like when you lose your mother in the supermarket. You know she’s not really left you but you can’t find her. In the end they did find each other but I seriously suspect, it won’t be the last time! With that sorted out, it was time to do a bit of poo picking,
I checked my fitbit. Actually, no time to poo pick. Bugger. I did another walk around and noticed a suspicious looking Welsh Mountain ewe by the small quarry next to the oak tree. Was she lambing? I went down a bit nearer, she put her head to the ground. She was only eating but, possibly due to lamb. And then, a lamb struggled to it’s feet! She had lambed. She must have been lambing unseen in the ferns when I came by earlier. I went a bit closer and was overjoyed because I think its another ewe lamb. I added that to my ever growing list for the day and went to the wellfield for a final check. They were all just fine although Munchie was enthusiastically tucking into the placenta she had delivered. This isn’t unusual. But it had me gagging and I’ve got a strong stomach. It was big and thick and just membrane and she was just swallowing and swallowing it. I suppose sheep teeth aren’t designed to chew through membrane but watching that go down was revolting especially as it had been dragged through gravel by Munchie first 🤢
I left there and then, before I was sick, collected all the eggs and left. I went to Argos for a couple of things and then went home. I put a wash on and filled my father in on all the comings and goings of the morning. As we were eating dinner, we heard from the solicitor. After dinner I walked Skye while he composed the reply. I phoned Jenkins’s to check the delivery had arrived and typed the email after I got back. I then dashed to Jenkins’s to get the 25 bags. I helped load those, which is hard work and then drove to Garth Hall. I parked up and did a walk around. Nothing new and everyone was settled and OK. I heard the quad as I walked back and then I heard the truck boot open. I met Neil by Cai. We had a discussion and decided the chickens would have to be shut in while we loaded Cai in order to keep them safe. They are under our feet so much we could stand on one. We unloaded the first bags and went back for the second load. Neil put those in Cai while I climbed in the back of the truck and pushed the bags to the edge of the boot.
With the bags safely loaded in Cai, the chickens were released again and Neil fed the outfield sheep. Then it was the wellfield so Neil could meet all the new lambs. I warned him about Molly’s lamb but he hadn’t fully comprehended just how big he actually is. He is tall, chunky and heavy. He’s taller than Baarbaara’s biggest. We noticed he has a slightly odd front leg. It sort of hyper extends. He can walk and it’s probably happened because he would definitely have been a bit squashed inside Molly. It is highly likely to improve as he walks around more. We saw Munchie’s twins next. She certainly looks more comfortable now they are out!
We then tried to put Munchie, Molly and their lambs in the barn. It did not go to plan. I carried the Hulk and Molly was following. Neil tried carrying the twins but didn’t get far. “Let’s get food and entice them instead.” Now usually, you can’t part Molly and Munchie from their food but they are actually good, protective mothers and they didn’t want to leave their babies. We had to try another way. We tried pushing them gently from behind. We got Molly in that way. She went in a pen with “The Hulk” as her lamb is now known. Then back for Munchie. It took a while but we finally managed it. It’s going to rain heavily and we’re happier for them to be in the dry. I left then and went home.
At 6 there was a message from Neil. He’d found another new lamb. It was from today but not brand new. It was a few hours old. Those ferns are impossible to see in so it’s likely the lamb was born there somewhere in a place that I couldn’t see.
What a day! Just like buses…you wait around for ages and then they all come at once!
Helen x
