Two new moms today. One was Bon Bon, in the middle field. Buford is in the pen at night with Cooper the ram, next to, but not in with the ewes in the next pen. When I turn him and the ewes out in the mornings he always goes to check on new moms and babies. About a week ago, Buford put himself in the ewes night pen when I put them up for the night. He was telling me that he was a big boy now and would take care of the ewes and lambs. So I let him stay. Every night since, he has been with the ewes and lambs.
This morning Bon Bon had twins, placenta still hanging. Buford was right there. He grinned at me. Buford grins when I scold him and when heās real excited. This is the FIRST time he has been in the same pen when a ewe lambed, unsupervised. He was grinning, unsure of himself. Was he in trouble? NO! I heaped PRAISE on him and he wiggled with happiness. This was HUGE! Good boy Buford!
The placenta was hanging out, Buford walked up and sniffed it. I calmly said, Ah-Ahh and he walked away. More praise.
I opened the gate and let the ewes and lambs out in the field, so I could get Bon Bon and her lambs in a small place. The white lamb was stuck in a pallet when I found the lambs this morning and he needed milk. I picked up the lambs and led her to the working chute where I could close her up. I fed her and got the white lamb to latch on and get his milk. Buford kept a close watch.
As a young pup, when lambs appeared, he was confused and would stand on the other side of the fence and bark at the newborns. When they were a couple of weeks old, he was ok, but he couldnāt figure out the newborns. This year, this lambing, he is no longer barking at them. This year he is protective. This year he wants to make sure they are ok and he watches over them. This year he is ready to step up and be with the ewes giving birth. Iām so proud of Buford.
Buford, you're growing up good.
