Colonial Williamsburg says hello to new batch of lambs

WILLIAMSBURG — Spring has sprung, and with it, Colonial Williamsburg has begun to welcome its newest residents.

Since the beginning of the month, six lambs have been born, with about 12 more expected to arrive by the end of April.

“Sheep ultrasounds aren’t always incredibly specific, so it’s hard to tell if we’re going to have singles or twins,” said apprentice livestock husbander Anna Rinehart, who has been with Colonial Williamsburg for two years.

In addition to the lambs, Colonial Williamsburg’s Coach and Livestock team is expecting foals, which will be born later this spring. The team has also added a number of baby chicks to the coops.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has a menagerie of animals as part of its rare breeds program. The program was founded in 1986 and helps promote genetic diversity in livestock that research shows thrived in 18th century colonial British America. Colonial Williamsburg owns and leases about 125 acres of pastures that support its livestock.

Among the breeds the foundation is helping to preserve are Leicester Longwool sheep, Cleveland Bay horses, American milking shorthorns, Dominique chickens and Nankin bantam chickens.

Many of the lambs being born now will eventually be sold to other farms and museums who are interested in breeding Leicester Longwools. The breed of sheep, known for long, lustrous coats, originated in England and was once popular among herders such as George Washington.

“We keep enough to keep our flock at a good level and keep our genetics diverse, but we will sell off the extra,” Rinehart said.

In addition to the wool, which is used by Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Trades and also sold in the gift shop, the sheep are used for education and outreach, helping to create awareness about endangered livestock.

Those walking around the Historic Area will come across a number of pastures hosting anything from horses to sheep to cattle. There are about 200 animals currently calling Colonial Williamsburg home, but that number is always fluctuating as animals arrive and depart.

This year, the Coach and Livestock team isn’t breeding the resident cattle, mostly due to space constraints.

“With the cattle, we have to be a little bit careful with space,” Rinehart said. “We just want to make sure that we have the time and the resources to have a bunch of calves running around.”

Once all the babies are finished being born, the cycle continues, with weaning in the summer and breeding starting up again in the fall.

“There’s always something,” Rinehart said with a laugh.

Sian Wilkerson, sian.wilkerson@pilotonline.com, 757-342-6616