Ewe gives birth to six lambs in Tinahely
WICKLOW sheep farmers Clifford and Marcella Kinch are in for a busy time after one of their ewes gave birth to six fit and healthy lambs.
The Kinch family farm is located at Sandyford in Tinahely and husband and wife Clifford and Marcella were predicting a hectic lambing season. However, neither of them expected they would be tending to the birth of sextuplets.
‘Six lambs is very unusual and it has been described as a ‘once in a million’ occurrence. It seldom ever happens, though funnily enough in the same week our six lambs were born, a ewe in Wexford also gave birth to six lambs. It was an even bigger surprise when six lambs were born because our ewe had been scanned and we were told to only expect four lambs,’ said Clifford.
All six lambs were born healthy, and their mother is still suckling five of them over a week after their birth.
‘We had three big lads and three small ones but they are all doing very well. Four of the lambs are ewes so we will be keeping them for breeding,’ added Clifford.
While initially shocked at the six new arrivals, Clifford quickly accepted that the ewe’s mother’s good genes may have played a major role in delivering the unexpected sextuplets.
‘The ewe’s mother was very prolific until we retired her two years ago after she had given birth to over 50 sheep in her lifetime. At one stage she actually gave birth to seven lambs, but two ended up passing away. I should have known that she shared her good genes with her daughter. We call her Mary and she is actually very much part of our family. She has deserved a well earned rest and my wife says she will die on the farm here and be buried with the dogs. She is showing her age a bit now but we wanted her to have a nice peaceful final few years.’