Why did I keep this ewe? Over the winter she hadn’t sized up as much as I had hoped. When in the barn, she is loud, always calling out and nosy about anything going on.
But…
She did lamb a beautiful single that she cares for so well that he is now quite the stocky fellow.
She also started nursing a weakly triplet. The little fellow had a slow start and in spite of bottles and the attentions of his own ewe, he looked hollow-bellied. Once Mabel took him on he filled out and is more playful.
Without checking her records I finally remembered why I kept her; I had hoped she’d be like her mother and grandmother. Mabel comes from a line of ewes that mother not only their lambs, but other lambs in the flock. Luckily for me and the flock, Mabel does not disappoint.