New arrivals at Nightingales.
We're used to encountering foxes and deer when out hacking at Honnington. But during Spring this year we've been stumbling upon an additional form of wildlife - large numbers of lambs - 30 at the last count. These are part of the herd of Jacobs sheep at Nightingales
In addition to this is the birth of the first of the half dozen or so Dexter calves due this Spring.
Jacobs have enquiring minds and are intelligent animals (compared with other breeds of sheep!). They lamb easily and have a strong mothering instinct. The lambs are on their feet within minutes of birth and can be seen leaping around within an hour or so.
One or two lambs are usual, but they sometimes have triplets or quads. Jacobs show a high resistance to foot-related problems and internal parasites. The lambs pictured here are between a few hours old and 4 days old.
For the Jacob Sheep Society website:
For the Dexter Cattle Society website:
The Dexter breed is the smallest British breed of cattle standing approximately 36" to 42" at the shoulder, and originated in the south western region of Ireland. The breed comes in 3 colours, usually black, but sometimes red or dun.
Calving problems are rare and newly born calves are up on their feet very quickly. Dexters are known for their ease in calving and make good mothers.
The breed has been able to adapt to varying and extreme climatic conditions and has become established in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Cuba, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Italy, Belgium and Denmark.
Nightingales is part of Honnington and is run by Phil and Michelle Bache of Equstar and the Karraba Arabian Stud.
For more information about Equstar:
Contact details are on the Equstar website:
Rocky - the proud father
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