Monday, May 5, 2008

Now I've Seen Everything

What's wrong with this picture?

A happy, fat lamb, nursing from its mom... what could be wrong?

Nothing. Except that in this case, "Mom" is our ram Tut!

Forage in the back pasture is running low, so until we're able to get some Electronet fencing up around our side pasture, I decided to let the ewes and lambs out to mow our yard with the rams.

This is a first for the babies, so in the crowd and confusion, it's not surprising that the lamb got confused and tried to nurse on the nearest sheep that was approximately the same color as his mom.

What was surprising was that the ram not only didn't butt the youngster away, he actually hunched down just like a nursing ewe, and stood there for several minutes with a distinctly placid and maternal look on his face, while the baby repeatedly butted him, looking for an udder down there.

I know that Tut is a mellow, mild-mannered ram, but I think that's going a little beyond the call of duty!

4 comments:

Rhea said...

Awww, that Tut's a sweetheart! What a nice ram. Too funny.

I'm so glad your birthing season is done and you are free once again! I'm exhuasted just reading about all of it, but it was so cool to "experience" it all through your blog. Thanks for sharing!!

Anonymous said...

WOW, what a great ram! And those babies can butt *hard* up there. He gets 10 points for temperament. I love the look on his face. He is clearly a very enlightened male.

Betsy said...

What a wonderful ram ! My mothers aren't even that patient when someone else's baby wants to nurse.

Amy said...

Awww, what a sweet boy! How nice of him to be so patient with the little youngster.