Lamb Updates

All the lambs seem to be progressing well now.  The first pair to be born - Aurora and Amethyst, are both white ewe lambs but there is now a huge difference in size.  Aurora stayed with her mother, whereas Amethyst became a bottle lamb.  Aurora was heavier at birth (13 lb) by 5 lb.  Now, she is a whopper at nearly 35 lbs.  I can't believe how fast she is growing.  None of last year's Icelandic lambs grew like that!  She just loves her little corner.

Amethyst is doing well although she's smaller, and she has a big appetite.  She has gone from 8 lb to about 17 lb.  Bond is the other bottle lamb in with Amethyst and he is also doing well.  He started out at 10.5 lb and has reached 18 lb, but he's 3 days younger than Amethyst.  It's interesting how Bond has such a dark face and dark ears, compared to Amethyst being so pink, even though they are both white fleeced.  They are the same breed too, of course - both blue faced Leicesters, but it's more evident on Bond!  His ankles are dark, so maybe he carries the coloured genetics and that's why the difference is so pronounced.

Branwyn is Corsica's single lamb and she went outside today for the first time, along with Aurora and her mother Alystyne.  They were glad to be back with the herd and both lambs are very active and playful.  I didn't weigh Branwyn but she started out at 12 lb and must be at least 20 lb by now.  I carried her out to the field and she was an armful!  Here she is having decorated herself with hay.  She may be a future fashionista sheep.

She is equally pretty without her hay adornments!

Olwyn is growing on a par with Amethyst - they are definitely the leaders in this group.  She started out at the same weight as her twin brother Bond, 10.5 lb.  She is now 24 lb, in just 2 weeks and 2 days.  I am really pleased with her progress.  She and Amethyst are also the two that I have seen eating grain.  Here is her gorgeous silver back.

And here is her sweet little face.  Her tail docking was successful as you can see in this picture - none of the others have lost their tails yet, but probably will soon.

My favourite thing about lambs, though, is watching them play.  Amethyst and Bond are experts at it!  They chase and play all the time.  If you look closely in this picture, you can see that Esmeralda the barn cat sometimes joins in the fun too!

Bond is also taking after his namesake in developing daring flying leaps and bounds.  He is practicing for roles in upcoming films, of course.  Amethyst and Esmeralda are not quite sure what to make of it!

Hope everyone else is having lamb success and enjoying the weekend!