When the sheep first arrived at the farm, they wouldn’t let me get closer than about 50 feet from them before they scattered.  I figured that this was jut what sheep did.  I’ve been sort of aware that they’re much less skittish around me now, but I realized how much had changed on Friday night.  When Edward and Jenny walked into the field with me, the sheep were at the bale feeder, and I thought we might be able to put a halter on the brown ewe as she ate.  Instead, the sheep immediately (two steps into the field!) realized there were unfamiliar people coming and ran from us.

Now that we’ve gotten all the notably-pregnant ewes into the barn, I’ve noticed another shift.  While recently the sheep would allow me to walk near them (as long as I didn’t make eye contact; so much to learn!), now the ones in the barn are actively nuzzling me.  I’d heard that sheep become friendlier to their shepherd as lambing approaches, but the magnitude of the change is stunning.  I suppose it’s a useful trait insofar as I may need to help them with their delivery, but evolution sure is a funny thing.

The sheep seem incredibly relaxed in the barn, with no sign of impending lambing.  The urgency I felt on Friday seems to have been a product of an inexperienced shepherd rather than an impending birth.  We’ll see what the morning brings!