The weather for the majority of lambing time this year was perfect - not necessarily warm, but dry. Lambs can struggle in cold, wet weather. We were very spoiled. February saw young Heather, Fern's lamb, thrive as a pet lamb. She was a bit lonely, though. She was always very excited to see us coming for milk time.
On 1st March, the first of the main flock gave birth - and up until 2nd April, there were lambs born every day. We were kept busy!
This is Sally. She was born on 4th March. She had a swollen head from a difficult birth. Her mum had previously tried to steal lambs from other ewes, but ended up having Sally a few days later. Sally's mum had no milk, so Sally went to join Heather in the pet pen.
Fiona.
Some cute babies.
I just had to get a selfie with Clementine's chunk of a ewe lamb.
Poppy helping with the pet lambs as per usual.
This poor wee woman had a swollen head from being born too.
Here she is two days later, swelling down and very healthy!
Where the magic happens.
Carmel under the heat lamp.
Heather getting big.
She has lots of company now!
In the middle there is Sally.
Poppy and a baby lamb.
More babies with their mums.
Poppy with one of Chloe's twin boys. She's just helping to clean him up.
This lamb was successfully adopted onto this ewe. He loved sitting on her back. She was very patient with him.
Lily's ewe lamb (rejected by Lily in favour of her tip lamb, as per Lily tradition), Hilde, enjoying a rest in the bucket.
Gertie also rejected one of her twins this year. Unlike Lily, she doesn't choose by gender. This year she wanted her tip lamb, so I was given her ewe lamb. Thanks, Gertie - I think.
The evening light in the lambing shed.
Rita fell ill after having twin ewes this year, and although she got better, she wasn't able to raise the lambs. That's them on the left - Helly and her sister. Carmel also has her head popped up.
Billy, born on 23rd March, became a pet because he couldn't understand what he was supposed to do with his mother. Despite her encouragement, he wouldn't suck from her - but as I soon as I put a bottle in front of him, off he went! He's an endearing wee chap.
One of the later ewes to give birth. She had twin girls.
Susan being very photogenic.
More tail-end lambers.
Billy.
Lois, daughter of an old Hampshire Down, and Heidi, Gertie's rejected ewe lamb.
Susan.
Hilde and Agnes.
Lois again. She's very silly.
Lois's brother, Billy and Heidi.
An ancient Kerry Hill ewe had these twins - Clare and Kerry.
I can't resist another Susan photo.
Lambs let loose!
Agnes.
Heidi.
Hilde.
Billy.
Goose - so-called because he shouted for his mother (who rejected him) for so long that he went hoarse and sounded very like a goose honking.
Heather.
Some nice posing.
Tess.
And we'll end with this (slightly blurry) photo of Lois leaping!
Easter Monday saw the end of lambing for 2025. Phew!
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