Last week, we had eight lambs born out of many that are due. It was the coldest week of January with strong winds. This time of year, I tend to not get a lot of sleep because I am routinely checking the barns almost every two hours to see if we have any newcomers.
Tending to the lambs has been my job since I was about eight years old. I can still remember Grandpa calling for me in the middle of the night to assist him. He would always say, "come on Paula, you're the only "boy" I've got." Grandpa Jimmy taught me everything I know about lambs and this time of year I always think back to those days when I was a kid helping him out with one of the most exciting times on the family farm.
We have raised sheep on this farm since the day the land was purchased back in May of 1931. They use to roam further out back than where they are today; through the old apple orchard toward the wood lot. The bloodlines we have trace back to the first flock we had here. We raise a Romney cross so that we can get fiber to make our blankets and yarn but also offer a good meat product as well.
When the weather changes and spring rolls in, it is always so rewarding to see the entire spring flock head out to catch their legs and go check out the green pasture.
I am looking forward to the many lambs that we are still expecting here at the home farm. By the time these animals get spring fever, I will be off to our sister farm checking on the crop of calves that we are expecting!
This is me with some of the goat kids that are arriving...the Springdell Nursery is a busy place!
Looking forward to spring!
Paula
Labels: lambing season
