We usually let ewes begin lambing in the large pen, with the other expectant ewes. After the first lamb is born, The Farmer will let her care for it for a few minutes. Then he will go in and pick up the lamb (or lambs, if he's arrived after multiple births) and move slowly out of the large pen. In this case, the lamb is the bait that makes the ewe move, too. She is very concerned about her lamb, and will follow closely, calling out the whole time. The ewe and her lamb(s) are placed in a small lambing pen, called a jug. I have no idea why they are called jugs. If anyone knows the origin of that term, I'd love to know. They are kept there for 1-3 days to ensure that they bond, and that the ewe is caring for her lambs well. No distractions. We set up a whole row of temporary jugs during lambing time. This is one of our hay storage areas, so we need to be sure that we've used most of this hay up before lambing begins. After their time in the lambing jugs, the ewe...
I want a milk cow.....(((sighhhhh)) I really, really do.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I love these neat facts that you post each week!
Wow. I love Friday Fun Farm Facts too!
ReplyDeletelet's see... ice cream or cheese... love them both!
ReplyDeleteI sure enjoy your fam fact Lona!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is a lot of milk! Both for the cow to produce and the amount we consume!
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about dairy cows (we raise beef) so it's nice to learn these things.