New Shetland Lambs

What do you get when you cross a fawn katmoget (Mapleton Zeus) with a black and white HST?

 A solid black ewe lamb and a katmoget ram lamb.  He is really dark...I think black based and grey under all that brown but not sure yet.  Mapleton Violet had her twins last night during my last barn check of the night.

 And when you cross the same ram with a black and white flecket?  A fawn katmoget ram and a moorit ewe lamb.  Mapleton Destiny, a first time mom, had her twins this morning and is a little overwhelmed at the moment.  I am going to keep an eye on them...the little ewe in particular.  Dessie's bag is HUGE and she is being squirmish about nursing them.

 But before Dessie had her twins, Minwawe Sprinkles twined just after dawn and she was also bred to Zeus.  Just when I thought Zeus might not carry spots, this little cutie made me have hope...

 Fawn (spotted I think) katmoget ewe lamb and a fawn katmoget ram lamb.

 Before you say anything, the ewe lamb might just have to stay here with us.  This year is going to be really difficult.  I am very pleased with my current flock and am very excited about what I see so far in terms of the lamb crop.  However I am about at my max in terms of numbers, so we will really have some difficult decisions to make.  If you see something that interests you in terms of lambs or adults, let us know, maybe it would make our decision making easier.  All the adult rams will be offered for sale by the end of breeding season as well, so if you have a favorite speak up.  A few may be available earlier if I decide to keep one of their sons.  As much as I love Neville, I might just give him most of the ewes this fall and then let him join another flock late fall.  I would then keep an F2 son of his in his stay.

FIRST OUTING let the LAMB RACES begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meeting relatives..."hi Grandma Marshmello"

 Exploring new places...

 Looking handsome...

 Tasting new things...

Still waiting for Shetland friends to be born...

More pictures now that they are dry...

Pictures as Promised

Swiftriver Neville's twin SPOTTED ram lambs out of Peep.  I tried to dip cords give them some Nutridrench and Peep BIT me!  She is a very protective mom.  I guess because she was convinced the lambs Spooky had yesterday were hers and I took them from her.  She was NOT going to let that happen again.

 F2 Ram Lambs

Spooky's crossbred ram lambs

 Naptime for the Puppies - 7 girls and 4 boys

 

GUESS WHO CARRIES SPOTS?

NEVILLE!  Peep gave me twin ram lambs: one morrit with a splash of white on his head and black and white (HST).   I have to check what the white on his head is technically but sokket all the way around.  Neither appears to be Ag but time will tell.  Camera is being charged and then pictures I promise.  F2 Heights Orion spotted ram lamb anyone? I have to go check on Opal...looks like Champ did his job after all.  Check back for updates soon.
 

2011 lambing has begun...

...as predicted Spooky, the Cheviot, had her strapping twin ram lambs today!  I had been checking every hour.  She must have timed it just right.  They were born, dry, and nursing when I checked after lunch.  Peep was trying to steal them, so I think she may be next.  I quickly constructed a jug around the new family.  They seem very healthy and content, jumping around already.  A good start.

Puppy Love, Nekkid Sheep, and Lambing about to Begin

The Cheviot is off her feed and if you have seen her, she is not one to miss a meal.  Today is the first day of possible lambs, starting with her to lamb first.  So I will keep this brief with words and leave you with some pictures.

Shearing went well.  The shearer that came due my regular shearer being injured, seemed to be pleasantly surprised with my Shetlands.  He raises Merinos so I will take a complement from him on their quality!

The puppies had their dew claws and tails done and are gaining well.  Rose is still a very attentive mother.  She is wonderful with people coming to see the pups, however has communicated with our other GSP Lucy that the same tolerance does not extended to other dogs.  Consequently Lucy has retreated to an upstairs bedroom the majority of the day and won't go near Rose or the pups.

Have to go do a barn check so here are the pictures:

SPUD

Check out the link to "Spud's" websight on previous posts but his owners also have a pet photograpghy studio and do wonderful work.  Be sure to check them out if you want your animals photographed.  They said  I could pull photos of Spud to begin to advertise, so he is featured in the post prior to this one.  Puppies are doing great and Rosie is a fantastic mom.  Nekkid sheep pictures for you later too, as shearing was completed yesterday.  Lambing may officially begin anytime now!  So much more news and pictures to come soon.

Spud's Profile from his Websight

ELEVEN GSP PUPPIES!

Rose was bred to an outstanding stud dog "Spud" an AKC Master Hunter and Prize #1 Utility NAVHDA dog.  You can see him at the following link:
www.davesgundogtraining.com/pages/studs.html .  She had 12 puppies with 11 surviving throughout the course of the day.  She is a super mom which doesn't surprise me since she is such a sweet dog.  Breeding a dog that is such a great all around family dog with an expert hunter, her pups should have the best of both.  Please inquire if you interested in purchasing a puppy or know of someone that is looking for a bird hunting dog.

A watched pot...

...never boils!  Rose is due TODAY!  Does it look like it?  These were taken just a couple of hours ago:

 She is sitting by be now...a little uncomfortable.  I can't tell if is that there is no way to get comfortable as big as she is or if she is beginning to have some contractions.  I will keep you posted.
THE NEXT WATCHED POTS:

 The Cheviot:  SPOOKY IS DUE FIRST on the 21st!

Shearing Scheduled

Due to some extenuating circumstances my shearing date is pushed closer to lambing than usual.  It is set for March 19th starting at 10:00 am if anyone is interested in joining us, leave a comment or email me and I can give you the rest of the details.  If you come I may put you to work.  You will also get first dibs on fleece at a significant discount.  The shearer joking said he charges more for Shetlands in the rise.  I went out to take some photos to survey the situation.  Here is what I found:

 It is Zeus' mom!

Me Roo?  It is Storm I swear!

Certainly not us...well maybe Pearl!

Not just me...it is Violet too...where is she hiding!?