First Lambs of 2009 / 2010

This morning the first of our lambs was born for the coming season. The mother was one of our Hampshire/Dorset ewes that was born soon after we arrived on the farm in February 2008. This makes it the second generation we have witnessed being born here. The lamb was a boy, a single birth but a very healthy looking little fellow.

Appearing Soon: New Lambs!!

Over the last week we have been busy putting the finishing touches to the jugs and the lamb pen for the pending arrival of the new batch of lambs. If our records are correct the first ones will be born on Wednesday (16th December) - although this date is based on when the ram was turned in with the ewes so in all likelihood it will be a few days past that - also the ewes are first time mothers. Things have gone a lot smoother in preparation this time and we knew exactly what we needed to do and how best to change things to suit us.


The weather has been particularly brutal in the last few days. Temperatures got down to 10 F (-12 C) and all the water troughs froze and we had a couple of burst water pipes outside the barn - thankfully no problems with the new dairy piping. Considering that the weather has been called unusually cold by the locals I think that's a testament to the builders and our design! Unfortunately we did lose a ewe lamb from this years March/April crop. She was the smallest and just didn't have enough in her to overcome the chill. By all accounts we have been fortunate once again.


For those interested in a more comprehensive photo diary I am going to update the actual web site - Catesby Farms over the next few days so you can see the complete evolution of the milk barn.