Yesterday saw the arrival of the first of 2014 lambs!
Yesterday was a busy day on the farm, marking the arrival of four new lambs to Mudchute! One pair were expected, while the other arrived over a week before they were due. There are always surprises in the lambing shed and we’re delighted to report that they are happy and healthy, as is mum.
Meet our new orphan lambs.
Two of our new lambs are ‘orphans’ from another farm that we will be rearing over the coming months. Just a few days old, these two Texel cross lambs have either been rejected by their mothers or were born as triplets (or sometimes quadruplets!). If a ewe produces more lambs than she can provide milk for, some of the lambs are removed to be bottlefed or adopted by other sheep. Rearing lambs by bottlefeeding is time consuming work as the lambs require milk throughout the day and night. A big thank you to our dedicated farm team who are working around the clock to care for our adorable new additions!
They were joined on the farm by a pair of Oxford Down twins, who arrived over a week early. Despite their early arrival, the twins (one boy and one girl) are a good size and were delivered by their mum without difficulty. Welcome to the world little lambs and congratulations mum!
The new lambs are the first of several newborns expected over the coming weeks and the long shifts and night checks have begun. Thank you to our farm staff for pulling together at such a busy time!
We’ll be sure to keep you up to date as they are joined by more new arrivals, so watch this space!
Just a few hours old!
Farmer Christy tending the new lambs.
Ensuring the lambs get the antibody rich first milk r colostrum.
The newborn lambs are up on their feet in no time at all!
The new lambs are now nursing well.
The new twins.
Sundae treating the lambs’ umbilical cords with iodine to prevent infection.
A proud Bonnie!
The girls in the maternity ward, more lambs should be on their way soon!
