Baby Sheep Born at Mount Vernon Estate Are Thriving

The flock of Hogs Island lambs at the Mount Vernon Estate welcomed quite a few little ones this spring.

Forty-one lambs were born between March 6 and April 12, Livestock Manager Lisa Pregent said.

"They're usually born between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., but this year they were born before 10 p.m. and after 6 a.m," Pregent said.

The birth of the lambs brings the flock number up to 100, Pregent said. Some of the flock will be sold to private farmers interested in preserving the breed.

When the lambs are born, the lambs and their mothers are moved into a small pen called a "jug" for three to four days so they can learn to communicate and learn the sound of their voices. After that period, they are introduced to the rest of the flock and learn to socialize.

The sheep are fed all grain in the morning and alfalfa hay twice a day. Pregent is making sure the sheep maintain their weight so they can nurse their babies. The lambs are being fed starter feed and are starting to be weaned onto solid food. The sheep will be sheared in May.

Nine piglets were also born at Mount Vernon this spring. Seven piglets were born on March 24 and two were born on March 26. Two of the piglets are being handfed by Mount Vernon staff. Monday is the first night they'll be staying with their moms at the Estate, Pregent said.