Spring is here and the air is charged with anticipation as we prepare for new life on the farm.
This calf decided to come into the world when Chris and Raymond weren't around. It was the cow's first calf and she needed a bit of help. I wasn't on my own ... my nephew Andrew had the job in hand but it was the first time I'd assisted a calving!
A lot of people think that because it is spring and the sun is shining that we will be lambing however high up in the hills (Pry House sits at 1300ft above sea level) March is far too soon for us to be lambing. Its a degree or two colder up here, our grass, a vital ingredient for sheep mothering their young, isn't growing yet and as last year proved, when the beast from the east hit in March, anything can happen this early in the year. So we wait .......
Something else a lot of people don't realise is that over half our flock spend the winter on lowland farms, some as far as 70 miles away from Pry House Farm. They go there after tupping, they have been scanned on their winter farms but now they must come back to lamb.
Sheep carrying twins come back first and are kept inside. They have to be carefully watched for signs of staggers, a disease that puts them off their feet and can be fatal if not acted upon quickly. These sheep are in our building now and are all expecting twins (note the blue mark between the shoulders). Sheep carrying a single are not so problematic and go straight back onto the fell.
Lambing time is so very busy but its also very special. April 12th is our starting date, it will be here in no time and the farm will be buzzing with activity and new life. Watch out for lots of lambing time stories throughout April and May.
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