1st day of Spring!!!!

Well, it was a beautiful day, but still cold. The sky was so blue and the sun shine was amazing. But it was cold. Tomorrow is supposed to be about 73. Hopefully it will feel warm.

I let the alpacas out into the same yard the sheep are in sometimes. The sheep are in the pasture and the yard is right next to it. So they can see each other. They come to the fence and talk. I want to let the alpacas in with the sheep eventually. Any ideas on that, anyone with both sheep and alpacas? They eat the same feed, so thought they'd be ok together. No rams with the sheep except the lambs. And there's a lot of room for them all if they feel threatened and need to run away. I'm going to wait a few more days and see if I get any responses first.

I also washed and hung out clothes. And got motivated to clean off my big kitchen counter. I have been keeping all my cartons of eggs and so many other things on it. And I just got tired of never actually seeing the top of the counter for all the crap on it. So it is CLEAN right now. Probably not for long. I guess I should take a picture of it all clean.

Also went to a meeting with the other caregivers and Mrs. T's daughter to talk over all the changes. Mrs, T got back home last Friday so we are all ready to get back to work. We have a new girl to help now and fill in when needed. I like her a lot.

So a pretty day and a full day for the 1st day of spring. I am SO glad that this winter is officially OVER! But next week, it's down in the 30's at night and not much warmer during the day. What is up with "the winter that won't go away?"

What did y'all do with your 1st day of spring?

My babies

 The 3 little ewe lambs I've been bottle feeding are growing so fast. Carabella, the lamb in the middle, is one week younger than the other two and much bigger. She was a twin. The other 2 are from the quads. They are all so sweet. And good girls.

Here they all are inside, exploring.

 Carabella, nibbling on the corner of the table.

Campbelle and Cameron, trying to see what's up there.

Cameron. She's so cute. I've also been having to bottle feed one of the ram lambs. He's about the same size as Cameron and looks just like her. He comes running whenever I go out there to feed him. I just don't think Amarillo has much milk. The bigger ram sometimes takes milk from the bottle. I have seen them both nursing, but for just a few seconds and she walks off. Just one of those bad mothers. I put an ad on CL today to try to sell all the Finn ewes. I'm just going to be keeping these 3 ewe lambs that are full Finn. And that's all the wool sheep I'll have. I'd like to find a few Shetland sheep some day.

I love this picture. Bubba on the porch, guarding his domain. Such a good boy. He ran off a dog earlier today that kept going through the field next door and making the sheep nervous. Had to get Bubba after it.

And off they go! It's fun in a way to have bottle lambs. I know they will be so much friendlier than the others. But goodness, I am worn out! I feel like a new mom, having to get up during the night. I have stopped all night feedings now. Just feed about 11 PM, then again in the morning and a few times during the day. Pretty soon, they'll just get 2 bottles a day. And in a few weeks, they'll be on straight goat milk!!! And us too!!!

Just thought you all might like to see my 3 cute babies. They are a mess. Once the weather ever decides to be nice, they will go outside. IF that ever happens!

Bridgette's lamb, # 33

So finally, we are DONE with lambing! Yesterday morning, went out to feed and didn't see Bridgette. She stuck her head out the middle stall door, so I knew she must of had a lamb. Went to check and here it is! The 20th lamb born at Outback Farm, Clancey, #33. Just a single ram lamb. I thought for sure, as big as she was, she'd have twins. But no. And that's just fine. For the first lamb, have singles.

At first, she looked like she was pushing him away from her. But I think now he's looking good. I went ahead and gave him and Cora their CDT shots so I can dock their tails. Then I can let them all next door.

He's sort of gray and white right now. But time will tell. He's a little sweetie.

Sunday, my friends came to get Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit Ram. They're also getting Charlotte and Claire when they are weaned in June. Ron sent me a text and said Bilbo is lonely. He has calves that he could put Bilbo in with. I hope he does. It was really like a rodeo trying to catch this guy. Ron put this funnel on his head in the truck. So cute!

I am having to bottle feed the other 2 quads. The poor little guys are not getting the milk they need from Amarillo. She hardly ever lets them nurse. I catch her sometimes letting them for just a few seconds and that's it. The smallest one is always at my feet so I just bring a bottle when I go out.

The other 3 ewe lambs are growing like weeds. Already have gained several pounds. They are still inside due to this crappy weather. I let them out when it's sunny, which it hasn't been in several days now. But they are good. I will be keeping these 3 plus April's ewe lamb, Cheney. I'm selling all 6 of the Finn ewes and all the other lambs. I'll keep all the hair sheep, which is 8 ewes and the ewe lambs. Plus my 3 bottle Finn ewes. So 12 sheep isn't too many for me. I think I can handle that number. I have 32 right now. But by the end of June, I hope to be down to just the 12 sheep. So does anyone need some sheep?

I went yesterday to see the herb doctor. But they are only open Wed.-Sat. So will have to go back later. I am still trying to get over this attack. I feel like someone punched me in the ribs. It hurts to even sneeze. I didn't eat anything til yesterday afternoon. Then just a little bit. This morning I had scrambled eggs. So a little better. But never want to go through that again!