The ewe lamb clubhouse

You wouldn't believe how often sheep do things that remind me of the human experience. Actually, that is probably why the Bible draws so many parallels between people and sheep, but that's a whole other blog....

Yesterday, I went walking out in the west pasture to check on one of our ram lambs who recently has had a cough. I noticed that there was quite a group of lambs hanging out under the mulberry tree, so I thought he might be there with them. The lambs were resting under the tree - most just lying there, snuggled up close to another lamb on one side or the other, and cudding (chewing their cud). It was a little unusual to see such a big group of lambs and not see any playful head-butting or mounting behaviors.... They just seemed very relaxed, enjoying the spring weather!

Unfortunately, as I drew closer I startled the group (even moving slowly), so many of the lambs stood up, ready to flee at any sign of 'equipment' - dewormers, needles, fresh coats, or anything else that required them being handled. That's when I snapped the above picture, because as I drew near enough to see who was under the tree, it surprised me.... All of the lambs lying around the mulberry tree were girls!

I had obviously stumbled across the ewe lamb clubhouse! No wonder there was no tussling going on! We tag all of our ram lambs in their right ears (we remember it with the statement, "boys always think they are right"), and it was easy to see that none of the lambs under the tree at that moment had a right eartag! As I scanned the pasture, I could see many examples of typical rough-and-tumble lamb play - by the ram lambs - but not under this tree. These girls had decided that they wanted some time to themselves with no boys alllowed!

I eventually did find my coughing ram lamb (who was fine), but I couldn't stop thinking about the group of ewe lambs under the tree.... It reminded me of days gone by when our kids used to make forts that allowed entry to only their own sex. I guess the ewe lambs decided yesterday that enjoying the spring day did not include playing with the ram lambs. I bet they will be changing their tune by fall when breeding season begins!