For those of you who don't know, Cookie is a lamb.  Duck and Chicken were born to Cleo in early December and then Cookie and Frost were born to Sunny in late December .  Cookie is the only ram lamb and Duck, Chicken and Frost are all ewe lambs.  Lambs typically don't rock the boat too much, they bound around the pasture, spend A LOT of time nursing on their mamas and sleep. They are also pretty good at knowing who their mom is and only nursing off their mom.  

Over the past few weeks of observing the lambs and learning their personalities, it appears that Duck, Chicken and Frost are all very well behaved lambs.  Cookie however, has decided that he is going to do as he pleases and not be the typical lamb.  Of course he gallivants around the pasture cavorting with the others, but when it comes to nursing apparently he is not satisfied with just nursing off of Sunny (his mom).  

We feed the sheep grain each evening when we do the animal chores.  They are very trained to this schedule.  Each evening as we start down the hill the sheep jump and leap in the air to show their excitement (Lewis especially, but the lambs usually join in).  Once in the barn, they bleat constantly (and very loudly) until they are fed and then settle in to much their grain.  Duck and Chicken are now old enough that they partake in the grain ration with the adults, but Frost and Cookie are still just hanging around as the rest of the flock eats.  Frost is very polite and just waits patiently for everyone to be done, but Cookie has seen his chance to sample Cleo's milk.  Ewes DO NOT like it when lambs which aren't their own try to nurse them.........thus the push and shove begins..........!!!!!

As Cleo is eating, Cookie will sneak up behind her and very tentatively edge in to her udder.  He will quickly grab a taste and hightail it out of there before Cleo can turn around and very forcefully show him that this is not appropriate behavior for a young lamb.  This continues the entire time the sheep are eating!!!  Cookie slinks in for a taste and Cleo whirls around to tell him NO!!  It is very amusing to watch!  Whoever said sheep can't have personalities too!!!

--Dylan

Sunny, one of our sheep, had twin lambs this morning. With the kids' help, they have been name Frost (female, really white) and Cookie (male, cream with tan markings). They are all doing great and already running around playing. They are so mischievous that Cookie already got himself accidentally relocated to the goat pen tonight for a short time. They seem to be getting along fine with Duck and Chicken, who are now a couple weeks old. We are now up to EIGHT sheep, and expecting a couple more before the winter is through. Exciting times here at 47 Daisies!!!

-Harmony

Our first lambs were born on Monday night to our ewe, Cleo!!  It is always exciting to head to the barn in the wee hours of the morning to check the animals and be greeted by two fuzzy lambs nursing their mom!!!  Upon seeing that Cleo had given birth, I called Harmony on the phone and immediately a parade of kids (first Kade, and soon after Eilah and Basil) come tearing down the hill with flashlights in tow to see the new additions.  Both baby lambs are healthy and seem to be adjusting well!!

Even though these lambs are slated for meat in about 6-9 months, we decided that they should have names.  I thought that because there was a chance of thunderstorms today that "Storm" would be a good name for the brown lamb, and because it is December "Christmas" would make a good name for the white lamb.  I suggested these names to Harmony and the kids and Eilah's response was....."NO....the brown one is "Duck" and the white one is "Chicken!"  She has proceeded to be adamant since they were born that their names are Duck and Chicken.........so long story, short.........Duck and Chicken have joined the farm and I am sure they will approve of their somewhat unique names!!

--Dylan