Who said sheep are silly?

I was worried about the new lambs outside in the wind and rain. I needn’t have worried. Their wool is waterproof. The mums stand with their backs to the wind and rain and lower their heads. When they sit, they shelter their babies.

Why do sheep baa in the night? Unlike us, they don’t sleep 8 hours on the trot; they nap, and mothers and babies often become separated, so they call out to each other: Where are you, Mum? MUM? Ba baaaaaa?

When do they give birth? At dusk or dawn; the semi-dark hides them from predators. The night allows time to complete the birthing process and gives newborns a chance to start feeding. Newborns should be able to stand up within 15 minutes after birth.

How many ewes have twin births? It’s more common in well-managed flocks. This year has seen an increase in twin births on the pastures around my place on Waiheke … which is why I started investigating (thanks Google).

Anyway, here is a wee vid of lambs gambolling on Waiheke.