24 Mar 2007
What a Week Redux

Shortly after completing yesterday morning's post I let the dogs out for their morning constitutionals. Cubby immediately took off towards the far eastern edge of the main pasture, never mind that it was mostly underwater from the (usual) torrential spring rains we'd been having. Peering through the gloom (thanks to Mitch it was still pitch black) I spotted our other Horned Dorset ewe away from the flock - and with a small white spot beside her. Curly Sue had lambed in the middle of the thunderous rainstorm, right by the already flooded creek!

So I got the dogs back in, and took off with a flashlight to see what was going on. Two lambs were down and underwater: I picked one up briefly and found no sign of life at all, but when I stopped and grabbed the second I felt a faint twitch - still alive!

I wiped his head as best I could with my sleeve, pinched off his nostrils and blew hard into his mouth and pressed his chest. Water came gushing out - Curly Sue was going nuts, trying to butt me, but I did it again. And again. And finally got a breath back! And a very, very weak bleat!

Cradling the lamb I headed for the barn, Curly Sue behind me, still trying her damnedest to kill me. I got into the side stall, ran a could of yearling heifers out, waited for Curly Sue to come in with me and latched the gate. She was much relieved when I put her baby down.

I gave Curly's teats a quick squeeze while she was vigorously licking the little bugger and made sure she was in milk. She was, so I placed the little guy on a teat and made sure he got his first meal.

I laid some fresh straw, got a water bucket and a couple of flakes of hay for the Curly, and retrieved the carcass of the other lamb. By the time I finished the rest of the morning chores it was nearly 8, and I was covered in mud and blood and afterbirth. Another shower, and I made it to work by 9.

This morning, after almost all the water had receded from the pasture, I found another dead lamb - Curly had birthed triplets! But she dropped this little guy completely underwater, he never had a chance.

From now on, when people ask the question "Which is dumber, a sheep or a chicken?" I'll have an answer based on experience. I've never seen a chicken lay an egg underwater.

Ah, life on the farm. How romantic!

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