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Drysdale

LambMetrics – 17th August 2020

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#LAMBMETRICS for the day

Drysdale & English Leicester Flocks

Born today: 3
Total Lambs Born: 57
Drysdale lambs (live total): 29
English Leicester lambs (live total): 19
English Leicester X lambs (live total): 5
Total Sets of Twins born: 18
Total Sets of Triplets born: 1
Total ewe lambs: 29
Total ram lambs: 28
Ewes lambed /76: 37  (48.6 %)
Lamb % : 143 % [live]
Assisted/Dystocias: 6
Losses: 4 [lamb]; 0 [ewe]

Notable Midwifery tales:

Beautiful day today, and thankfully a couple of the ewes took advantage – instead of waiting for the rain tomorrow. Haha.

The day started with a set of little Drysdale twins. They seemed perhaps a little bit early so they ended up in the shed to make sure they mothered up properly.

Mid-morning brought on some groaning and histrionics that could only be attributed to an English Leicester.

The exchange* went something like this:

“GROOOAAAAAANNNNNNN”  paw at ground vigorously

“Hi, are you after some help today?”

“Oh, no thanks. All good.”

“Okaaaayyyyy.” 

“GROOOAAAAANNNNNN  BLEEEEUURRRGGGHHHH”

“I’m sure you can do it. You’re doing great. I can see the nose when you do that.”

“GROOOOAAAAANNNNNNN  AARRRGGGGGHHHH“

“Are you sure you don’t want a hand? I can help get that lamby out in a jiffy”  *takes one step*

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“Okay.” eyebrow lift

“AAARRGRGGHHHHHH  GROOOOOAAAAANNNNNN BLLEEERURUUUUGGGGH”

“Um, you’re doing really well but the lamby looks like it may have been waiting to leave for a bit long. Could be stressed. Why don’t I help you?”

“NOOOOOO!   ARRRGGGGHHH”

*shepherds crook employed*

“NOOOOOOO. URRRRRRGGGHHHHH. GO. AWAY. “

“I think you’d better lie down for this one.”

“LET ME UPPPPPP! AAAARRGGGHHHH”

“Oof. This one’s a biggie.”

“OOOWWWWWW. GROOOOAAAAANNNN”

“Head’s out. Now let’s get the rest.”

slop

“There we go. What a big chunk. Good girl. Time for some kisses!”

Ewe jumps up and walks off

“Oi! Bubby is here!”

“BAAAAABBBBYYY!   WHERE IS MY BAAAAAABY????”

“Why don’t we put him on this nice bit of grass instead of in the dirt.”

“I CAN’T SEE MY BAAAAAABY!!!!”

facepalm

follow the ewe doing a circuit of the paddock corner

“Look here he is – learning how to breathe.”

“MY BABY!”

“Well done.”

* some “artistic license” here…!

LambMetrics – 15th August 2020

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#LAMBMETRICS for the day

Drysdale & English Leicester Flocks

Born today: 4
Total Lambs Born: 54
Drysdale lambs (live total): 27
English Leicester lambs (live total): 18
English Leicester X lambs (live total): 5
Total Sets of Twins born: 17
Total Sets of Triplets born: 1
Total ewe lambs: 28
Total ram lambs: 27
Ewes lambed /76: 35  (46.0 %)
Lamb % : 143 % [live]
Assisted/Dystocias: 5
Losses: 4 [lamb]; 0 [ewe]

Notable Midwifery tales:

Today started off with drama as we discovered Aunty P (the ewe who had prolapsed last week) was lying flat and not in a good way. All other chores were dropped while we spent time getting her back on her feet.

This was followed by finding a merino ewe in a poorly condition after lambing twins. She couldn’t get up, the foxes killed her twins and she’s very sick and miserable. A trip on the little grey Fergie tractor and she safe in the shed but I’m not entirely sure what her malady is and as a result have just thrown “everything” at it and am hoping something works. She may not survive the night. 🙁

Of course there was a trifecta…..

After dealing with those two dramas I got back to checking a set of twin English Leicesters born last night. And discovered two big, healthy looking lambs but the mother only wants the ewe lamb. So, into a pen with her with the lambs and employed a few tricks which seem to have helped a bit but she’s Jekyl/Hyde with the ram lamb.
I put Hermione in next to her as a demonstration of how to count past ONE. Not sure if it is working though! She’s not killing him (yet) but at least he’s had some colostrum. Will reassess in the morning.

Meanwhile: wildlife! (Our resident echidna that hangs about the hay and feed sheds)

Echidna

Finally received the ear tags for the lambs so I spent a while this afternoon catching a few random lambs and tagging them. So at least I got to cuddle lambs in the sunshine which was a nice change from the morning!
Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures … so here’s a pic of Bibbi & Bobbi to tide you over until tomorrow. 🙂

Bobbi & Bibbi

LambMetrics – 14th August 2020

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#LAMBMETRICS for the day

Drysdale & English Leicester Flocks

Born today: 4
Total Lambs Born: 50
Drysdale lambs (live total): 25
English Leicester lambs (live total): 16
English Leicester X lambs (live total): 5
Total Sets of Twins born: 15
Total Sets of Triplets born: 1
Total ewe lambs: 27
Total ram lambs: 23
Ewes lambed /76: 33  (43.4 %)
Lamb % : 136 % [live]
Assisted/Dystocias: 5
Losses: 4 [lamb]; 0 [ewe]

Notable Midwifery tales:

Today was pretty straightforward. Yay!

First off was the “close encounter” with the wildlife on the morning rounds. We have heaps of Eastern Grey Kangaroos (no shortage here…….) but usually don’t get so close.

The wildlife stopped for a chat while on paddock rounds this morning.

Then we bring Anne/ “Tankerina” in for milking. Her lamb is stuffed full of milk and still only drinking off one side so we easily get 500-600ml each day (2 milkings) from the “unused” side of her udder. We’re impressed…!! LOL
Twin lambs will often stick to “their side” of the udder when there is plenty.

Udderly great.

Went looking for Hermione and her triplets at one stage….. the English Leicesters are pretty in love with going into the tractor shed when it rains and Hermione reckons she’s half EL so that totally counts. The wretches have made an absolute mess down the back behind the horse float – and now the lambs are being found regularly fast asleep on a “bed of wool” !! Great for when the weather is bad! The rotters. LOL

Hermione – making herself at home.

The morning was quite mild and the bees were absolutely loving the Philotheca sp. bush growing in the garden. Must be Spring. 🙂

Here’s a newborn Drysdale lamb this evening – all wet and gooey still.

One of the older lambs (about 10 days old) came for a photo session this evening…. *mwah*

At the end of the day, when the ewes are back in their Night Paddock, it’s really nice to just walk through them and enjoy the calm.

LambMetrics – 13th August 2020

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#LAMBMETRICS for the day

Drysdale & English Leicester Flocks

Born today: 1
Total Lambs Born: 46
Drysdale lambs (live total): 23
English Leicester lambs (live total): 14
English Leicester X lambs (live total): 5
Total Sets of Twins born: 14
Total Sets of Triplets born: 1
Total ewe lambs: 25
Total ram lambs: 21
Ewes lambed /76: 30  (39.4 %)
Lamb % : 140 % [live]
Assisted/Dystocias: 5
Losses: 4 [lamb]; 0 [ewe]

Notable Midwifery tales:

Quiet day today with only one lamb born late in the afternoon – so I forgot to take a photo as I was rushing about with evening chores.

Good news: the ewe we’ve now named “Aunty P” who had the prolapse managed to get the insert out last night but all her bits are staying in so that was a welcome sight. If there’s no change then I will be able to let her out with the mumma ewes tomorrow. Phew.

Had my first dystocia in the Merino flock this morning – a maiden ewe who had her lamb die in utero and didn’t go into labour properly. Lamb was going rotten and took a bit to get out but it was done and she’ll be feeling much much better tonight.

A bit of wildlife noticed on my walk this morning

We’re still milking the “Tankerella” English Leicester ewe (her real name is Anne LOL). Twice today and her milk is going to Bibbi.

The black and white twins born yesterday are doing very well and are now in the main mumma’s paddock.

Fleece of day-old English Leicester lamb

And we’re a bit “photo-lite” today so here’s a pick of the black/white twin’s dad, Stirling.

Hopefully, more pics tomorrow!

LambMetrics – 12th August 2020

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#LAMBMETRICS for the day

Drysdale & English Leicester Flocks

Born today: 6
Total Lambs Born: 45
Drysdale lambs (live total): 22
English Leicester lambs (live total): 14
English Leicester X lambs (live total): 5
Total Sets of Twins born: 14
Total Sets of Triplets born: 1
Total ewe lambs: 25
Total ram lambs: 20
Ewes lambed /76: 29  (38.1 %)
Lamb % : 141 % [live]
Assisted/Dystocias: 5
Losses: 4 [lamb]; 0 [ewe]

Notable Midwifery tales:

Checking the nooks and crannies of the paddocks on morning rounds. In the rain.
A maiden Drysdale ewe with her first lambs
Hermione’s triplets are doing well.
Hanging looooooow and trying to steal lambs is a good indicator of “nearly ready”
Only two in there?!?
Hazards of lamb photography!
Yay! The first lambs by the silver English Leicester ram!
*smooch*

LambMetrics – 11th August 2020

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#LAMBMETRICS for the day

Drysdale & English Leicester Flocks

Born today: 0
Total Lambs Born: 39
Drysdale lambs (live total): 18
English Leicester lambs (live total): 12
English Leicester X lambs (live total): 5
Total Sets of Twins born: 11
Total Sets of Triplets born: 1
Total ewe lambs: 20
Total ram lambs: 19
Ewes lambed /76: 26  (34.2 %)
Lamb % : 134 % [live]
Assisted/Dystocias: 5
Losses: 4 [lamb]; 0 [ewe]

Notable Midwifery tales:

No new lambs today! The Drysdales are obviously in the “gap” that I wanted and the English Leicesters must have decided to forgo lambing in sunshine so that they can lamb in the rain tomorrow…. hmmmm

So, here’s a pic of Poppy today getting big and strong in the sunshine thanks to her foster-mum Boadicea.

In other news, an English Leicester ewe that lambed the other day and lost one of her twins at birth is needing me to milk her once a day to reduce her load and reduce her mastitis risk. Her lamb, after working out the huge titties, can’t drink it all and the udder is huuuuuuge. I took over 300ml off her today (which Bibbi and Bobbi thought was very tasty!)

The ewe that had the prolapse – well, I finally managed to jerry-rig something that seems to be working at keeping everything “in place”. She’s been a tough cookie and hopefully now her system can settle down and stay where it is supposed to! I still need to make a few tweaks to her harness but it looks very fetching. I’m just happy she’s eating and drinking!!