Daphne's Due!

The tiny rip in her ear lets me know this is Daphne

Yet another sheep about to give birth. March 1st marks the 145 day since I saw Sean and Daphne do a little dance.  He was leading of course, after a little leading-on of  him around the pasture.  She wasn't going to be gotten too easily!  But, you could tell she wanted to dance. Around the side of the barn, under the shed of the tin roof, they made what is about to be two lambs.  I think it's twins. Daphne looks evenly round on both sides.    As I was observing her today, I saw a very strong kick from her side.   Won't be long now, and we'll have more lambies running around.

The udder is starting to get full

Just in case Daphne, or any of the others, decide to plop out their young ones behind the barn as Bess did, I have been going out every night and closing them in the barn pen.  I make them think that I am going to give them food in the feeder, so they follow me over to look at it.  Then, I dash back and bungee cord the gate closed. Plus, in case of predators, I think they are safer in the pen as a herd.  Closing them in at night also makes sure that Sheila gets her lambs into the shelter of the barn. Of course, they are up much sooner than I am, and would prefer to be out grazing already by the time I venture out the door. So, they don't prefer this arrangement. But, I feel much better about knowing the sheep are a bit more safe at night on The Derby Farm.