Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Our Worst Lambing Season

2024 could have been our best year with 25 lambs from 14 ewes... but instead of setting a record, 4 lambs perished, and we had to call out the vet twice.

Our troubles all happening during or just after birth.

1. Ewe tried to give birth to twins at the same time and got stuck. Both lambs died.

2. A lamb died shortly after birth due to breathing problems.

3. A ewe with twins gave birth to the first lamb successfully and then the second lamb became stuck. Both lambs survived.

4. Another lamb died shortly after birth.

I don't know if it means anything but all 4 lambs that died were rather large lambs... much larger than a standard Arapawa lamb.

I have been wondering whether it's just bad luck or is it the result of my decision to lamb latter when the weather is warmer and there's more feed about. More feed bigger lambs?

I love having sheep and I don't mind the drama when things go wrong... but this year has been a challenge to my will power to keep on going.

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - A Win Win!

My future firewood pile might have been commandeered by the lambs... I spent a good half hour watching them play. I think I've come to the conclusion that maybe that it is no longer a future firewood pile. The lambs are happy, and it makes me happy in that I no longer need to cut it all up. A Win Win!

Life Down Wattle Lane v2 - Consequences!

Whiskers has fathered 21 lambs this year... I have noticed his patience is wearing a little thin with the very playful lambs... consequences Whiskers... consequences!