NATURE'S PECULARITIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 144, 20 August 1941, Page 5

NATURE'S PECULARITIES

EWE'S STRANGE FAMILY

OCCURRENCE ON LOCAL FARM

A peculiar occurrence has taken place on the property of Mr H. R. John., of Te Teko, con- • earning a breeding ewe, and although very puzzled when the animal made its first strange performance, Mr John has watched it closely and definitely proved the ewe's freak capabilities. Some four years ago he bought a line of two-tooth ewes from MiFrancis Pile, of Opotiki, at the Opc- " 'tiki saleyards. Amongst them Avas a ewe that had a midget lamb the first year, but reared it splendidly. Three Week's Later. The second year she had another midget lamb and again it thrived. When, this newcomer was about three weeks old Mr John visited the paddock to find the ewe mothering . another lamb only a few hours old. " Thhj had a black leg and is still on his farm.. Mr John states that he was unable to prove whether it was the ewe's own offspring or not, but thought by her condition that it was, while the ewe appeared to have no doubt, claiming both young ones, the thriving «midget and the new arrival. Similar Occurrence.

Again in the third year the ewe •gave birth to a midget, this occurring about three weeks ago, and on Thursday morning Mr John went to the paddock to find the mother in the act of delivering twins into the world—one being a midget and the other of normal lize.

Lambs Doing Well,

Mr John states that on all ozca*"ions he has taken the youngsters away and put them to other ewes vvhich lost lambs accidentally, and all have grown into splendid sheep. The two late arrivals are now being •cared for b'jr foster mothers and gi\e every appearance of thriving as they are very lively. Mr John has taken the twins away from their mother as he feels that the older lamb would rob the younger ones of their food, they not being able to battle so well*

Records Kept

The fact that he removes all his ewes from the flock into' fresh pastures as they lamb, is. stated by Mr - John, who thus he isi definitely able to prove the .identity • t)f tne ewe as he has them all tagged and records for four years kept - detailing 'With all their actions..