A special litter of lambs is born in Butte County. Last week, a mother ewe gave birth to quadruplets, which is very considered very rare.
Twins even triplets are common for sheep to have, but experts say having a set of healthy quadruplets is pretty rare.
When Holly Edwards started breeding sheep four years ago, she never expected a litter like this.
“I was shocked,” says Edwards.
Last Thursday, the ewe went into labor, delivering two babies on her own.
Edwards says, “She started the 3rd one, I caught it, started to dry it and then all of a sudden splat and there was a 4th. It was the easiest one I ever had.”
A healthy group of quadruplet lambs, all males too.
“My vet said he heard about it, but I don’t think he’s ever delivered any, so I guess it's pretty rare,” says Edwards.
That's also what the Assistant Dean of Chico State's College of Agriculture David Daley said.
Although it's not completely unheard of, as the university farm had a set of quadruplets a few years ago.
Still, it's quite miraculous considering all the risks, like pregnancy toxemia, that come with birthing multiples.
Often times the caregiver will have to bottle feed the lambs because the mother just doesn't have enough milk to feed all four.
Edwards certainly has her hands full, taking care of seven other ewes with young litters of their own.
Edwards says, “Seven have delivered, three of them twins, three of them triplets and one quad, and one to go today.”
All the lambs will eventually be sold in about six months.
And whether these brothers stick together or not, they'll always have a special bond and a unique family history.
The sheep Edwards' breeds are mostly Suffolk, so they are used for their wool.
