GOTLAND/SHETLANDX EASTER LAMBS

Last fall we imported five Shetland sheep from Franna in Washington State. Included in the importation was "Flash" a Gotland/Finn ram lamb. This morning, two ewe lambs from our Shetland ewe Mtn Niche Heidi and Flash were born. It will be interesting to see what colour their fleece changes to as they mature.

FIRST LAMBS OF 2008 AT MILEHAUS FARM

Our first lambs of the 2008 lambing season were born on Tuesday March 18th. It is still very winterlike here with 12 inches of snow on the ground and temperatures dropping to -12C (10F)at night. WillowGarden Kitty Fisher, who was bred to WillowGarden Rex Harrison , gave us a gorgeous spotted ram lamb and an HST ewe lamb. Although our breeding goals are moving towards a softer, finer, crimpier fleece on our Shetlands, I do enjoy a few "spotties" born each year.

NOT MUCH HAPPENING

There is not much happening up here at the moment. The ewes are still holding on to their lambs. I thought I would share of photo of Rudolph the alpaca cria who was born last December. He is growing into a handsome fellow.

NEWFIE PUPS GROWTH RATE

Newfie pups at 1 week of age.

Newfie pup at 8 weeks old.

Our first litter of Newfoundland puppies was born on December 29th 2007. The story of this litter deserves a post of its own but for now I want to share photos of the phenomenal growth rate of these large breed puppies. The six puppies weighed in at approximately 1.5 pounds each at birth. By 8 weeks of age they were weighing between 15 and 16 pounds each. The two photos above show a puppy at 1 week of age and again at 8 weeks of age - a mere 7 weeks later! We have met some wonderful families through placing these puppies in their new homes. Our pups went to new homes as far away as the Eastern coast of the US as well as 2 puppies staying close by here in BC.

WE'RE BACK

I have been waiting to post a blog showing newborn Shetland lambs. It is currently day 157 (147 days of gestation being average) since the rams were introduced to the ewes last fall and still no lambs! The girls must have been playing hard to get.........or the first week of October was too early for the girls to be cycling.

As the picture shows, it is still winter time up here. This year was the heaviest snowfall in the 5 years we have lived in 100 Mile. It has been a very long time since we have seen the grass. On the upside, we haven't had any mud.

Since I have last written, there has been a litter of Newfoundland puppies born that had to be bottle fed as well as some family health issues and computer issues that had to be tended to. Life now appears to be back on track.

In the next few days, I will catch up on all the blogs that I like to read while having my morning coffee and see what you have all been up to in the past couple of months.