How Many Babies Do Sheep Have?
Sheep are among some of the most fertile farm animals you can breed. Whether you breed them for meat, wool, or pets, they will be sure to produce plenty more babies for your farm.
Typically, it is common for ewes to carry twins, triplets, or more after their first year of pregnancy. Considering this, it is essential to provide proper hygiene and care procedures for the animals. Providing clean bedding, fresh water, and feed packed with a boost in nutrients is necessary.
Read on to learn more about the average number of lambs ewes birth per year, common problems ewes can experience during pregnancy, and newborn lamb care tips.
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How Many Babies Do Sheep Have?
Depending on the breed of sheep, most of these farm animals give birth to 1-3 babies during the year. In other words:
Female sheep usually only carry one baby every birthing season
That is especially true if they are first-time mothers
After their first birth, female sheep are more likely to carry twin lambs or even triplets in some cases
Twins are most common with more than two lambs being somewhat of an anomaly (though not totally uncommon for some breeds of sheep, like Icelandics)
Want to learn more about lambing? Check out the video below:
How Many Lambs Can a Sheep Give Birth To?
During spring lambing season, sheep can give birth to between 1 - 3 lambs. Previous births provide increased chances of birthing multiple lambs a year during the lambing season.
Typically, sheep give birth about two times a year during the lambing season, but the number of lambs birthed can be multiple. A sheep can birth about 2 - 6 lambs a year.
Of course, there are some breeds of sheep that carry for lambs at a time than other breeds. In this case, providing more nutrients and care for them is paramount to the health of the baby and the mother.
Problems With Twins or Triplet Births in Sheep
Because carrying multiple lambs increases health risks and requires more energy, there are problems that come along with carrying multiple babies. Here are the most common problems with twin or triplet births in sheep.
Twin Lamb Disease
Twin lamb disease is an energy deficiency that typically occurs when a sheep is carrying two or more lambs.
More babies, particularly large ram lambs, mean more energy needed to be ingested and expelled for the sheep. Because the twins or triplets are absorbing most of the ewe’s energy, the ewe is at risk of dying.
Typically, Twin Lamb Disease (or pregnancy toxemia) occurs during the final 6-7 weeks of pregnancy when over 75% of fetal growth occurs.
When this disease takes place, the lamb is either too thin, too fat, carrying multiple lambs, or a mixture of the three.
An incomplete fat breakdown occurs when the liver fails to fully process the energy coming in which tends to increase blood ketone levels.
As a result, Twin Lamb Disease can lead to reduced milk production, reduced lamb growth, hypocalcemia, or an increased mortality rate.
Signs
The early sign of this disease is the ewe distancing herself from the rest of the flock at any point during lambing season.
In later signs, the ewe will exhibit symptoms of shaking, twisting of the neck, lifting her head high, loss of appetite, apparent blindness, grinding of the teeth, dull appearance, and overall weakness.
Treatment
If you catch the disease early enough in the lambing season, you can buy products for the ewe that contain Glycerin (propylene glycol) and administer that twice a day. In alignment with this treatment, provide food with more nutrients, they need to keep their energy up.
Additionally, you must keep fresh water and palatable foods available to keep the ewes from losing their appetite.
If the case is severe enough, you will have to take the ewe to the vet. While there, the vet will most likely inject the ewe with glucose and corticosteroids.
Prolapse
Vaginal Prolapse usually occurs when ewes carry multiple lambs, but can also be a result of obesity with the ewe.
This problem occurs, typically, during the last month of pregnancy when the uterus is pushed out of the vulva. It looks like a giant, red mass that can range in size from 10-20 centimeters.
The larger centimeters usually contain the urinary bladder, uterine horns, or both.
Signs
Similar to Twin Lamb Disease, Prolapse causes a ewe to isolate herself from the rest of the flock. Additionally, they might lose their appetite and not come to concentrated feeding. Further, the ewe might spend excessive time on her side while experiencing abdominal straining.
Treatment
In most all cases of prolapse, the ewe will need to be transported to the vet for surgery. During transport, cover the prolapse with a towel soaked in warm water. The prolapse must be treated and constantly cleaned with warm water mixed with a safe disinfectant.
The vet might also inject an anesthetic to help stop the ewe from straining so much. Additionally, the vet will most likely administer an anti-inflammatory to reduce pain and swelling. The ewe will be more comfortable, therefore allowing you to easier care. There are also prolapse harnesses you can buy that can resolve the problem temporarily, though it’s not a good idea to breed an ewe prone to prolapsing in the future.
Caution to Consider
Because this is an external problem, the prolapse can easily contaminate the environment. The ewe’s housing, bedding, soil, etc. can all get contaminated.
Further, the prolapse can tear or rupture, causing serious damage to the ewe including an increased mortality rate. Therefore, corruption of the tissue and blood supply can lead to you having to euthanize the ewe.
Which Sheep Breeds Have the Most Lambs?
These sheep breeds tend to have the highest rates of twin and triplet births.
Finnsheep
Finnsheep is among the few sheep breeds for breeding the most lambs. This domestic sheep breed is known for giving birth to some of the most healthy lambs you will find.
This breed of sheep is native to Finland. They are bred for their meat, pelts, and wool. Additionally, they are known as docile while having a reputation for producing some of the healthiest lambs out of all the breeds of sheep.
Romanov
Romanov sheep are a robust breed that is known for producing quadruplets and even up to sextuplets! They are native to Moscow and are known to be genetically unique.
Their superior genetics allow for earlier sexual maturity and will breed at any month out of the year.
How Long Does it Take for a Ewe to Have Twins?
The birth process, whether it be for single or multiple births, depends entirely on each ewe. Many factors contribute to the birthing time period whether it be physical problems, environmental elements, etc.
However, for twins, the average time between births is about 10-60 minutes. If it takes longer than that, the ewe might need assistance. Or, if the ewe is straining and struggling excessively, it might need to be transported to the vet.
How Long Does a Sheep Stay Pregnant?
At most, a sheep will stay pregnant for about 152 days. This fluctuates between breeds and gestation period, but you can expect a sheep to stay pregnant from 147-152 days.
If you are planning on breeding your sheep, I highly recommend charting their breeding cycles and lambing dates. This sheep maintenance chart can help you do it!
Stages of Pregnancy in Sheep
Here are a few things to watch out for when your sheep
Breeding Age
Before getting pregnant, you must identify the start of “puberty” for your sheep. Depending on the breed, nutrition, and environment, most sheep breeds enter maturity anywhere between 5-12 months.
Reproductive Inactivity
These periods of time are when the ewe is not in heat. Usually, there is an inactivity time of 14-17 days between heat periods. It’s also important to note that some breeds of sheep, like Icelandic sheep, are seasonal breeders who will only cycle at certain times of the year, based on day length.
Gestation
The gestation period lasts between 147-152 days. During this period, the sheep will go through her first, second, and third trimester.
First Trimester
After sheep breeding, mark your calendar to see if the sheep conceived a lamb. Three weeks after the breeding season, the pregnant ewe should not come into heat. After 6 weeks, the vulva should begin to enlarge.
Second Trimester
The second trimester is the optimal time to ensure placental development and scan for how many lambs the ewe is carrying.
Scanning for the health and number of the lambs is essential because you will need to determine the diet and medical procedures to take into consideration while caring for the ewe.
Third Trimester
The third trimester signifies complete organ development for the lamb and is when the final stages and most of the growth occur. During this trimester, you might want to increase the number of nutrients your pregnant ewes receive.
Preparing to Lamb
To determine or estimate the time your ewe will begin to lamb, the teats will begin to fill firm. Additionally, the ewe’s vulva will swell a bit more and the ewe might separate herself from the flock.
Before birth, her spine might curve slightly and the cervix will still be sealed with the mucous plug.
When the lamb is ready to come out, the mucous plug will release and the ewe’s water will break. The water breaking will be easier to identify than the mucous plug. The hooves and the nose of the lamb should be able to be spotted.
Once the head and front legs come through, the rest of the birth will happen quickly.
Usually, the labor and birthing process will take an hour or two. Again, if it takes more time than this or the ewe seems to give up during labor, she might need extra assistance. Try to avoid providing extra assistance when the ewe lambs whenever possible - lambs born naturally and without intervention tend to be healthier.
Finally, the placenta (or afterbirth) will be passed after a couple of hours post-birth. If the ewe has multiple lambs, there will be after birth for each lamb after they are delivered.
How to Tell if a Sheep is Pregnant
After the ewe has been through the breeding cycle, the ewe will not come into heat after 3 weeks. Next, the eww’s vulva will begin to swell at 6 weeks.
After 12 weeks, her abdomen will begin to swell and she will walk slower and calmer.
On the other hand, after the breeding period, you can also simply scan your ewe for pregnancy. However, it is important to look for the signs regardless.
At What Age Do Sheep Stop Breeding?
Sheep are relatively fertile animals and can breed for most of their lifespan. They can live between 11-13 years and continue to breed until the last year of their life.
However, older ewes require more nutrients and care since their bodies are older.
How to Care for Newborn Lambs
Here are some tips to care for newborn lambs on your farm - regardless of whether you have one or three!
Hygiene
The hygiene and overall cleanliness of the sheep’s environment are paramount for pregnant and birthing ewes. Not only will maintaining a clean environment contribute to the health of the lambs, but to the mothers as well.
Before birth, the area needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Make sure to disinfect the whole area and ensure that area is completely dry before adding cleaner, dry bedding down for the ewe. Make sure that the area has enough room for the lamb and ewe to be comfortable. Lambing jugs are essential!
Additionally, wear clean, protective gloves during and after birth.
Finally, keeping up with hygiene will help prevent the vulnerable lambs from contracting diseases. You can treat the lamb’s navel with iodine to also help prevent diseases from affecting the lamb.
Energy
Lambs need the proper nutrients to keep energy levels up so they don’t freeze. Ensuring that the lambs have plenty of access to milk is essential. If they do not feed a few hours after birth, they are at risk of dying quickly as they don’t have a stable energy reserve. Keep colostrum and milk replacer on hand just in case there are nursing problems.
Warm Environment
Making sure the pen is well-insulated and not too drafty will help keep the lamb’s energy up, especially right after birth when they come out cold and wet.
Conclusion
Most breeds of sheep have two to six lambs a year. If a sheep is going through its first year of lambing, then she will most likely carry only one lamb.
However, after that first year, ewes are more likely to carry twins, triplets, or more (if they are among the Finnsheep, Romanov, or other highly fertile sheep breeds).
Even though there are common problems with pregnant sheep such as Twin Lamb Disease or Prolapse, there are treatments available if you catch the early signs of each disease.
When caring for a ewe and newborn lamb, the key component to care starts at proper hygiene. Without a consistently clean environment, both the ewe and her babies will become more susceptible to disease and higher mortality rates.
Ensure that the ewes and lambs have access to warm, clean, and dry environments while being fed the proper nutrients.
Considering all this, have fun breeding and caring for your sheep and lambs! For more information and guidance, consult a veterinarian.
Sheep farmers, what is our average lambing percentage - do you usually get just one lamb from a mother sheep, or do you find that your ewe produces more than. few lambs each spring? Let us know in the comments!
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