Mercury's expanding waistline

While doing chores last night I took the opportunity to measure Mercury's "waistline" if that is what you would call it. I snugged the twine down thru her fleece, marked it, and then laid it against the tapemeasure. Mercury measures a whopping 66 inches (that's 5 1/2 feet) around her widest part. She still has about a week to go if she carries out to full term, or 145 days, which means those lambs will get a bit bigger and heavier yet.
Okay, typically I am not one to 'count my chickens before they hatch', but I have to believe that poor Mercury (* see her picture below) is probably lugging around triplets, and not the 'Goodyear blimp'. She had triplets back in 2007, a set of Cocklaw daughters, but I don't remember her getting this gianormous. For this lambing season she was exposed to our new UK Rossiebank import.
I think this weekend after I shuffle some adult and yearling rams around to make more space in the barn, I'll set Mercury up with her own comfort stall area so she doesn't have to compete with the other more nimble ewes for feeder space and a quiet place to lay down. She deserves some pampering .

Biding her time

Poor Mercury.

She's just waiting for her due date to unburden herself of this 'wide load'.

You would think that she swallowed the 'Goodyear blimp' sideways. I plan on taking a tape measure to her tomorrow to see what her 'waistline' measures, and she still has a week to go.

The newest generation

A grand start to the 2009 lambing at Beechtree Farm

Hey, Look at me!

This fellow is not to be outdone by any one else in the cute or handsome-ness department.

And when combined with his twin brother, they make double the trouble for their mum.

Beechtrees 'BenNevis'

Beechtrees 'BenNevis'

DOB: April 2007 (TW)

Ben has been CH Ram at MFF & CH & RES. SUP. CH at WSWF 2008.

Scottish Judge: David Cruikshank 'Nithsdale' Bluefaced Leicester flock commented on his sound structure and broad shoulder, excellent breed type and good blue pigment, and how good he is on his feet and legs, and he has a nicely purled lusterous fleece.

Ben carries Barlaes-Titan-Laird-Loyalty-Ebony genetics.

We are looking forward to seeing his 2009 progeny here at Beechtree.

Beechtrees 'Marston'

Beechtrees 'Marston'

DOB: April 2008 (TRP)

photo: Feb. 2009

Marston is a very sound ram lamb, with a finely purled dense fleece, with a wide rear and loin.

He has Barlaes-CarryHouseV2-Laird-Ebony background.

Marston pictured at approx. 4 months old.

Beechtrees 'Thistleton'

Beechtrees 'Thistleton'

DOB April 2008 (TW)

Thistleton has great breed type, excellent structure, length & width, and he has a fine-dense fleece.

His bloodlines include CarryHouseV2-Barlaes-Laird-Loyalty-Ebony

Beechtrees 'Nightshade'

This is the first of several adult ewes that we will be offering for sale this spring.
The aged ewes will be ready to go after their lambs are weaned, and the yearling ewes, which are open, are ready for placement now.

Our first featured ewe is

Beechtrees 'Nightshade'

DOB: April 2005 (TW)

Nightshade is a very correct and stylish, natural colored ewe, with an excellent fleece. She has produced white and natural colored lambs, and she carries the Titan-Laird-Ebony-Loyalty bloodlines.

Nightshade would be an excellent foundation ewe for someone looking to add size, length of loin, and a good topline-mouth-feet-and legs to their purebred Bluefaced Leicester breeding flock.

RESERVED