Waiting for Warmer Weather

Last week Spring was here, and today it feels like January. Biting winds and snow squalls have blown a layer of snow over the fields that were exposed just last week. It was in the high fifties when we sheared all 28 sheep last Wednesday. The animals seemed content and it made for a pleasant morning to be in the barn. After a few days to adjust in the barn, the non-bred ewes went out to the lower paddock and run-in and the ram and his wethers to the back paddock on Monday. Since then the temperature keeps dropping and each morning we get a surprise dusting of fresh snow. Saturday's high is projected to be only 5 degrees! With extra straw and lots of hay, the sheep will manage, but it does make for some unpleasant chores. 

Now that everyone is bare, it's that time of year when I assess lambing dates and numbers. Our lambing season could begin in two weeks and should wrap-up by the third week in April. This should give our lambs enough time to play in the paddock before being let out on pasture. It looks like the girls will wait until April before lambs really start coming, as Myra is due on the 31st, and she seems to have the largest udder. Many of the girls have barely an udder, and a few are barely showing.

We have ten bred ewes, one of which I'm not completely confident is bred, and most are experienced ewes. Given previous years' records and photos, I like to make predictions as soon after shearing as possible. So, here it goes:

Kira (9 years old)

Prior lambing: twins ('11), triplets ('12), triplets ('13), twins ('15)

I'm guessing she'll have triplets mid-April. There is very little sign of an udder and she's is very large.

Maggie (7 years old)

Prior lambing: twins ('12), twins ('13), twins ('14), twins ('15)

I'm guessing she'll twin mid-April. Again, barely an udder and not that wide. 

Claire (6)

Prior lambing: twins ('13), twins ('14), single ('15)

Twins before Maggie.

Ella (5)

Prior lambing: twins ('14), twins ('15), twins ('16) 

Twins or triplets in two to three weeks. Shown with Doris and Myra.

Mary (4)

Prior lambing: single ('15), twins ('16)

Twins in four or five weeks.

Myra (4)

Prior lambing: twins ('15), twins ('16)

Twins in three weeks; she's due on the 31st.

Lucy (3)

Prior lambing: single ('16)

Single in four or five weeks. Shown with Mary.

Jeanne (3)

Prior lambing: none; exposed for 2016 lambs.

Single at end of season. Pretty sure she's bred, but it's hard to tell.

Doris (2)

First time.

Single at the end of the season. Very slight udder is forming. Shown next to Ella.

Daphne (2)

First time.

Either an earlier single or twins in a month.

So, at least sixteen lambs and as many as 20.