I was busy today helping my son with his car, and I visited the woman who was so kind to help with the quills in the dogs yesterday. I also planted a few geraniums and petunias in the flower bed and pots, but a small thunder storm was forecast for late afternoon and I could see the clouds in the distance. I did not see the little lamb when I checked the sheep in the morning and do not know where Lisa, the coloured Cotwold chose to have her baby. But, she had cleaned the baby well and despite the tremendous coat on her, the baby was with a rounded belly and warm mouth, so she had nursed. It is a little ewe lamb, white in colour and much like the lamb of her sister, also white in colour. Unfortunately, the Cotswold matriarch was with Walter, who was too ill to breed and she is barren this year. Of all the Cotswolds, she is the most correct and has the best fleece.
So, that leaves the Romanov ewe. She definitely appears pregnant and is round like a bowling ball. The breed is known for multiple births, even as a first time mother, so likely she will have twins. Romanov sheep are hair sheep and the off spring could be either wool or hair or shedding wool. Most likely though, the fleece will not be good enough for use other than compost, and that is a good use. Suneet, the Tunis ewe lamb from last year, does not appear bred, but it is hard to tell until she is sheared, because she does have a heavy coat. Shearing day is Thursday. Anna and Zoe, last year's Babydoll lambs, I am most sure, are not bred. Babydolls may not cycle their first year and are best to wait until they are a full year old before breeding. Anna and Zoe are my special little girls, my first Babydoll ewe lambs and my pets. I can't wait to see their little ones next year.
That leaves Dora, the Karakul. The rams do not know how to breed that fat tailed Karakul sheep and she has never had a lamb. She is here because, well, because I love her. It would be wonderful if she did have babies one day, but I have given up hoping for that and just keep her as a special ewe. And that she is.
So, with the little ewe lamb born today, there are possibly 3 more ewes to lamb prior to the June 9th. Tatiana, the Romanov, definitely will be a yes, and she may be the only and last one still to go. We shall see. It was Quinn's first time breeding and althgouh he took his time, it does appear he eventually got the job done. Thanks Quinn.