A very depressing day (unfortunately sheep related)

No pictures today. My heart isn't in it.

Last night when I went to bring in the sheep Winston one of this years rams lambs was ill. He was lethargic, had difficulty breathing, was dragging his hind feet and couldn't bah. He would occasionally cough. I separated him and took his temperature (a whopping 108 degrees). Respirations were painful to listen too. Unfortunately I got the emergency vet who was very reluctant to come out, kept telling me that if I really wanted him to live I should take him to the hospital (nearest one is over an hour away) I said I wanted her opinion. Meanwhile he peed a few times and just lay down. He looked bloated.

Vet arrived within 30 minutes at 7.30pm. Didn't believe his temperature and retook it. Informed me "I've never seen that temperature conducive to life". Upon my request (I said he looked bloated) she tubed him and got 50cc of air out. He stood up. She gave him banamine and an antibiotic. She basically also informed me that she had her children in the car because I had made it sound so urgent on the phone, but that he looked "quite perky" to her. She left me with banamine and more antibiotic and told me to just put him back in with the other lambs "because if they're going to get it that would have it already".

At 9pm I checked on him. He was acting strange. Getting up and walking a few feet before collapsing. I put him on my lap. At 9.15pm he started having seizures. At 9.30pm he was dead. He had seemed fine that morning.

I called my regular vet today and informed her he had died. To make it worse 2 other lambs have temperatures. One is 104.6 and one is 104.3. Both are eating, chewing cud and running around. No-one seems to know what is causing the fevers. I am open to ideas. Let's hope everyone else can pull through.

May Winston rest peacefully in grass filled fields.

Lamb update and my view

This is the view from our deck this morning. It's not a sunny day but the weather is nice and all of the sheep are enjoying the grass.

Sunny had to rub himself across the gate before I closed it. I know he's not a lamb but it's too cute not to share, although I wish I got the shot about 30 seconds later when the gate slide open and he fell sideways onto the grass!

I finally managed to get a good picture of Dakota (left) and Delia (right) both girls are dong very well and looking forward to going to their new home later this year.

Along with Winston who is very handsome and has some lovely looking horn buds so far.

Wilbur will also be leaving for a great new home as a pet wether. I think he'll enjoy all it (maybe not the wethering part lol) but he loves the attention, and is the friendliest of this years lambs.

He'll have his sister Dixie with him who is also very friendly and I am excited to follow their progress as they grow up. I love hearing from the owner with updates and pictures, and helping out where I can by answering any questions.

Wallace (left) also has a new home, isn't he beautiful? I love his fleece. So far William doesn't but I am sure he'll find one soon. Both boys look like horn buds are doing well.

Diana is the only other lamb remaining for sale. Until sold she is happy here and enjoying lamb races and grass.

Derry has been sold and is now living the high life on Beech Hill farm and ice cream stand in New Hampshire where she will be representing the Shetland sheep breed and getting a whole lot of attention. Daisy Mae says she's not going anywhere though. Even though it doesn't look like she'll reach the right size she's too much of a character to part with.

Finally Marcus is now 13 weeks old. He was photographed at SmartPak last weekend by their professional photographer and this is one of the pictures I got. He starts puppy class in a few weeks which will be fun.

I'm still working on my website http://ridgewayfarm.webs.com/ let me know what you think of it. I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Happy Mothers' day

It's been a very hectic time here but I was able to get some pictures this morning of the lambs and moms in the paddock.

The boys were not to be missed out of course looking handsome.

Little Diana is doing much better, the vet thinks she was just squished up from being a triplet and after a few days she straightened out and is running around with the best of them. She's quite a beauty and the only moorit ewe lamb I have still for sale.

Derry is so much bigger than the others being those few weeks older.

This is Winston smelling something good. He's a fun guy and very handsome. His fleece is lovely and soft.

As is his brother Wilburs', however Wilbur does not seem to be growing any horns. He is the same size as his brother who has horn buds but this is what his look like. Maybe half polled? I'm not sure, time will tell. He is a very nice ram wither way and will make a nice flock sire for someone.

And finally this is Marcus now 11 weeks old and some of his toys.

More lamb pictures in the next few days. I have finished college for the summer and am now on vacation! I'm off to the NH sheep and wool festival for the day. Should be fun.

Even more fun, end of lambing.

Gypsy had her lambs on Thursday evening. Triplet ewe lambs. That brings the closing tally to 5 ewes and 4 rams. Here's the happy family group today I like this picture.

This is Dakota she weighed in at 5lbs and looks like she might be fawn.

This is the best picture picture I have of Diana in the back on the right who was a breach and weighed in at 4lbs. Her legs are still straightening out but she's doing well and has a very soft fleece probably moorit.

And this is Delia who was quite the surprise. She weighed in at 5lbs too and is so tall!

Here are some better pictures of Sabrina's triplets. This is the very handsome Winston.

The ever so cute Wilbur (he has little sideburns which I love).

And the tiny but perfect Dixie.

And just to show love to the other lambs here are William and Wallace who make me want to keep more rams. I just love both of these boys and their wonderful fleeces.

And Derry the lamb who started it all and looks like she will be modified like her mom and not black I think light grey. She is a very nice square girl.

Finally this is Marcus who is 8 weeks old today. He loves to play on his back and have his tummy rubbed, my partner calls him Cujo puppy when he looks like this lol.

Michelle you were the closet with your guess so can you email me your address puff614@yahoo.com so I can send you the sheep detective story :) Congratulations. I'm off to rest lol. Have a great weekend everyone.

Triple the fun

Sabrina had triplets last night 2 rams and a ewe.

Here's Winston the largest of the three weighing in at 5lbs.

This is Wilbur who was just around 4lbs soaking wet. He already loves attention and I think I caught him mid-stretch so he is blurry.

And last but not least this is Dixie. She also weighed in at 4lbs but is having the hardest time feeding. I supplemented her with a bottle this morning and that seemed to give her a little more of a clue on how to nurse.

Hopefully all three will be bouncing around by this afternoon. This is the first set of triplets we have had here so it is a little nerve wracking. Only Gypsy left to lamb and I am crossing fingers and hoping for girls! This year I will have a lot of rams to sell lol contact me if you are interested in anyone you see, all lambs are for sale :) Everyone else is doing well and Marcus (the puppy) is only waking us up twice a night to go outside.