Four sets of triplets have been born from one flock of sheep all in the same week at a farm near Swindon.
Roves Farm welcomed the 12 ewes which were all born within days of one another.
Ewes normally birth one or two lambs, so to have four triplets all within the same flock is incredibly rare and left the farmer responsible for the birthing of the animals, Pippa Bolter, shocked.
She described the arrivals as “fantastic” and said: "Triplets are not uncommon, but we normally have one or two.
"This year we've had four in the last few days!
"This breed is really laid-back and friendly and their niche is that they lamb earlier than other breeds."
The lambs were born earlier this month and are Poll Dorsets, the only native sheep that can breed all year round.
A single ewe is unable to care for all three lambs at once due to only having two teats, therefore the farmers at Roves Farm must devise a different plan to ensure the third is fed.
"The only way she’ll accept the lamb is if we give them a bath in her lambing fluid so it smells like her. It’s not perfect, but it usually works."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel