Well, this year's lambing is over but most of the lambs are boys. 16 Castlemilk Moorit ewes lambed and 7 had twins giving a total of 23, 17 boys and 6 girls. Only one ewe had help but would most probably have managed by herself. No lambs were born dead or subsequently died. All lambs are thriving.
With the Cotswolds 20 ewes lambed 20 ram lambs and 11 ewe lambs. Only 5 ewes did not produce twins. However, there have been 4 lamb deaths. One shearling ewe had no idea what to do and sat on one of her twin lambs during its first night. The survivor was removed and is being raised as an orphan. A single lamb was found dead after its birth. Two other lambs, both twins, did not survive the first 24 hours, thought to be too weak to make it. One lamb was removed from his mother as she was not producing enough milk and she is suspected of having mastitis. Three lambs had entropion in one eye which was treated with Orbenin cream. Another did not respond to this treatment and the vet stitched both lower eyelids down.
So over both breeds there are 37 ram lambs and 17 ewe lambs. No ewe had twin ewe lambs and no ewe had a triple.
Regards, Dave