Counting to Five

I've been counting on my fingers a lot these days.

If I want lambs on April 1, when do I need to let the ram out with the ewes? I count to five backwards and come up with Nov. 1.

When I saw twin lambs, on their knees and contorted so that they could nurse, I paused.

Because we castrate the ram lambs, we no longer separate the lambs from the ewes. We let the lambs wean themselves -- a quieter, less stressful option. Surely they can't still be nursing. Most give it up at four months. These lambs are almost as tall as their mothers.

I count months on my fingers. When I reach five, I wag my finger at them.