We frequently host birthday parties for children at Elkus Ranch but on Saturday, February 15, 2014 we held our first birthday party for our newborn lambs. Guests enjoyed birthday cake (carrot, of course - chosen by the lambs) made lambs from teasels and wool, and watched the lambs play.
Our ten ewes produced 19 lambs this year. We had one who held out for better weather. She finally had triplets on March 22.
We then turned our attention to the goats, hopeful that the first of the kids would arrive for Preschool Days (March 20 and 21) but despite all the signs of pregnancy in our 2 boer does, no new arrivals. So we waited for Family Day (March 29) Despite the rainy weather we had close to 50 adults and children out to visit with the animals, explore the gardens and meet a set of baby chicks that had just hatched. We had almost forgotten about baby goats until the last guests were leaving. As our staff were closing up, our first boer kid made an appearance! In a salute to the rain we so desperately need, we named her "Stormy". Her mom, Betty, needed a little advice about caring for a newborn but eventually she figured things out and Stormy is now eating well and playing with her cousins, River and Banks who arrived 2 weeks later.
Our next public event will be Sheep to Shawl on Saturday, June 14, 2014. Reservations are required. Click here for more information.