[Jacob-list] mothering

[Debbie Bennett]

I just have to share this story of Jacob mothering instincts... I have a 
few Churros and one of them had twins this year and rejected the smaller 
of the two (this is becoming a habit for this particular ewe). So, I 
started bottle feeding the Churro ewe lamb and named her Brenna. Also, 
my ewes free-range a hilly, wooded landscape, with coyote, bob-cat, fox, 
coons and bears, oh-my.
  Wilma (Jacob ewe), lost her five day old ewe lamb to a predator. She 
was devastated and full of milk. I didn't think she would take Brenna 
(Brenna being a Churro and 5 weeks old), but I thought I could hold her 
down and make her feed Brenna. So, I grabbed Wilma twice a day and made 
her feed Brenna for several days. Then Wilma made me a deal; if I would 
stand there and keep the other ewes out of her food, she would willingly 
feed Brenna. This went on for a week or so. Then Wilma decided she 
should just take over as Brenna's dam and Brenna should follow her. By 
this time, Brenna was only following me, she recognizes my voice and 
comes when I call. So, now after I feed all the sheep, I have to sneak 
out of the barn so that Brenna stays with Wilma. If Brenna doesn't leave 
the barn with Wilma to go out and graze, Wilma comes to the house 
looking for her (and looking at me accusingly; I must know where Brenna 
is and its all my fault that Brenna doesn't come when Wilma calls) and 
then I call Brenna and have to push her toward Wilma or walk with them 
for a few minutes until Brenna gets the idea she's grazing with Wilma 
and I can slip away. I'm sure Brenna is confused about who her mom is. 
I'm also very proud of Wilma's mothering. Its funny to see a Jacob ewe 
with a Churro lamb. And Wilma is for sale. You can see her on our 
website at www.feralfibre.com

Debbie Bennett
Feral Fibre Farm
Oakland, Oregon