Newborn Lambs In Spring
In early April the fields in the Yorkshire Dales are dotted with ewes and their newly born lambs. Most ewes give birth to two lambs and they are capable of giving birth unaided.
However, David Wellock, the farmer here at Hurries Farm at Otterburn in the Yorkshire Dales National Park in North Yorkshire, was on hand and this ewe hardly made a sound as he gently eased the lambs from her.
Birth
The first to be born presented headfirst with both legs in front of it, which is the ‘correct’ way for a lamb to be born.
The second lamb had one leg forward and the other back like a swimmer doing the crawl, as in this first photograph. This can make giving birth a little more difficult, but soon both were lying on the straw litter, struggling to lift their heads.
Ewe Giving Birth
Ewe With Newborn Lambs
Newborn Lambs
Tottered To Their Feet
The mother licked the lambs while they tottered to their feet and both were standing and suckling within half an hour of being born.
Newborn Lamb, Suckling
A Few Days’ Experience Changes Everything
A few days later and these lambs, also from this farm, are white and fluffy and already looking at the world with more experienced eyes.
Lamb With Mother
Hurries Farm
If you are interested in visiting Hurries Farm at lambing time in March and April, check with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. Put Hurries into the search box and it will come up with a list and the contact details so you can arrange your visit.
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The mother ewe’s face has almost a classical beauty. Something truly noble in her expression. I’ve only seen sheep from a distance, never close range. You never think of it, but they’re really beautiful animals.
What a lovely comment about the nobility in the ewe’s expression.
Tamara and I take our binoculars and spend time looking at sheep. I recommend it for the ‘full’ sheep experience. It is very restful.
What great photos! We have been foster parents to a newborn lamb for the past 4 weeks now, and have had the honour of bottle feeding her and having lots of cuddles. I’d never even stroked a sheep before, and my eyes have been opened to what beautiful creatures they are.
Glad you like the photos!
I agree sheep are lovely animals. Believe it or not, we go out sheep watching sometimes – binoculars and all.
I see nothing wrong with that! It beats train spotting!
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