Archives for animals/wildlife

Morning Chores!

April 10, 2010 | 9 Comments

I've worked up quite an appetite before breakfast. Helped the guys stack 2 tons of straw that arrived first thing. Gorgeous, clean, honey golden bedding for my lambs. We go through at least 4 tons of it in a year. You should see the size of my compost pile. Crazy windy here today, feels just like March. All the windows are closed up to keep the barn warm. Holly spread extra straw while she cleaned pens today. Everyone looks content. I can't say how much I appreciate Holly's help at this time of year, when I have so many demands
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More lambs, More Giveaways, Another Winner

April 9, 2010 | 115 Comments

The lambs are loving their new creep pen. I thought you might like to see them having fun in their new giant play pen, complete with toys. And food. In the background a lamb is entering through a slot the creep panel from the adjacent pen where we keep the mothers. I love watching them explore for the first time. At first they're hesitant and spooked by a new place. And then they let loose and start bouncing around. Party time. The green ball is for the boys to practice head butting. Quite rammy for such a young age. See that
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Morning Chores!

April 8, 2010 | 12 Comments

It's not every day that starts with a lamb looking up your nightie. Holly was here early for morning chores. I'm suppose to get a little more rest this way. But when I can hear the sounds of morning chores over the baby monitor – feeding sheep and cleaning pens – it's hard to stay in bed even though I could use the rest. I went over in my nightie just to say hi and see if anything was cooking. But then I started seeing all the little tasks we could get done really quickly if we did them together.
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Tipping point

April 7, 2010 | 9 Comments

We crossed the half way mark today with two sets of twins arriving within an hour of each other bringing the lamb count to 22 (11 ewes and 11 rams). I'm so grateful for Holly being here to help. While she worked with Pheonix and her twin ewe lambs, I assisted Stella and her ewe and ram lamb (above). This is Stella's first time. We had to help with delivering the ewe lambs who was huge – 12 lbs! From the looks of things at the moment, I'll have a busy night in the barn. Ursa is pawing the straw
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A Safe Berth

April 6, 2010 | 13 Comments

Spied this in the barn yesterday. Cassandra and one of her triplets in a moment of perfect contentment. (But I do need to get a coat back on that momma.) Quiet night – no new arrivals. Please spread the word about this week's big giveaway and I'll announce a winner on Friday. copyright 2010. Barbara Parry. All rights reserved. Feel free to share a link to this website. Please do not take content or images from this website without my explicit written permission. Thank you.
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On the lamb front

April 5, 2010 | 25 Comments

Just a quick post to bring you up to date. Cassandra delivered triplets Saturday – our second set back to back. Harrington, Herculana, and Helvetica are doing quite well. They join Verbena's trio, Georgia, Garamond and Gigi, pictured above. We now officially have a triplet ward set up in the southeast corner of the barn. We have to feed the triplet moms differently than the rest, so it's actually easier if there's a couple of sets of three. They are cutest group in the barn at the moment. Yesterday Pansy delivered a ram and a ewe lamb (Jazz and Lucida)
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Easter Visit

April 4, 2010 | 14 Comments

Sending wishes for a happy Easter & happy spring. Hand-crafted bunny by Elizabeth Radysh. copyright 2010. Barbara Parry. All rights reserved. Feel free to share a link to this website. Please do not take content or images from this website without my explicit written permission. Thank you.
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This Week’s Winner – New Giveaway!

April 2, 2010 | 161 Comments

Meet Verbena's little ewe-ling. That's what we're calling her for the moment, since she's only hours old and I haven't chosen a "font" themed name for her or for two brothers just yet. We're up to the letter "G". Let's see . . . . Garamond, Georgia, Gloucester. Or maybe we should move on to "H"?? I've drawn a winner from the commenters on last week's giveaway. SusanSW is the lucky recipient of a Sheep Shares spring yarn share and a copy of Gail Callahan's Dyeing book! Thank you, Susan, and everyone who commented last week. Today kicks
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Cormo Triplets

April 2, 2010 | 10 Comments

A very early start to my day. Verbena delivered healthy triplets just before dawn, a pair of rams and a ewe. They arrived hungry, talking and were quickly on their feet. Verbena is one of my all-stars, taking everything in stride. Thank you for your concern for Galveston. Her eyes looked brighter this morning and she picked at the hay I offered on my way out of the barn. I know I have a contest winner to announce a little later today, after I've had a little rest. Please check back in a bit. copyright 2010. Barbara Parry. All
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Ups and Downs

April 1, 2010 | 19 Comments

I'll start with the good news. Last night Comet delivered the adorable twins pictured above. "Euphemia"(left) and "Franklin" arrived after dinner. Their debut is special because they are the first offspring from our new moorit ram, Chai. And while I had been hoping for a brown lamb, I'm pleased with this healthy pair. The only wrinkle in their arrival was Comet's udder – almost no colostrum. So we borrowed from the ewes in neighboring pens until Comet's milk comes in. Holly (such a trooper) held hot compresses on Comet's udder for an hour last night, to help stimulate milk flow.
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