Beryl: Full of Surprises

The biggest surprise was that Beryl was the first ewe to lamb.  She was the second ewe due, but her mother has been overdue in the past so I assumed Beryl would be as well.  I must admit, I also hoped that a first time mother (like Beryl) would not be first.  I shouldn't have worried; Beryl lambed like a champ.

Beryl and her boys

First born: Mace.  He was born at about 9:45 on Easter Sunday.  He's gray Katmoget (the same markings Calico and Opal have), but he has a little bit of brown on him, too.

Mace

Sleepy Mace

 Scott thought we were done and could get back to our normal Easter activities, but he was not present for Beryl's birth, so he didn't have first hand experience on twin births that take forever.  (Long term readers might recall that Beryl was born one and a half hours before her twin sister Rhoda.)

Pistachio and Peanut want to help.

Beryl didn't take quite as long as her mother.  Wasabi, another little ram, was born about an hour after big brother Mace.  He's mostly white, although he has a big black spot and a few little brown spots.

Wasabi

It's always tricky when twin lambs have so much time between them.  The first one has been thoroughly licked, is standing up, has had some colostrum, and is, more often than not, a little bit pushy.   Sometimes the mother is tired (Beryl was) or doesn't realize she's had a second lamb (Beryl didn't have this problem).  Fortunately, we were present for the lambing, so we did make sure Wasabi was dried off well and had colostrum.  Nevertheless, we were a little worried about him.  He seems to be doing well, though.

"It's snack time, Mommy!"