MASS PRODUCTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20851, 6 October 1937, Page 3

MASS PRODUCTION

THREE SETS OF QUADRUPLETS

The present season seems to be one for mass production in the Wairarapa. On the sheep station of Mr L. T. Daniel in the Masterton district, three sets of quadruplets have been born—a distinctly unusual happening. The whole 12 lambs were reported to be surprisingly big, with no peculiarities. The first set was born on August 29, the second on August 31, and the third on Septembei 3.

Mr Daniel has a flock of between 200 and 250 which was served by five stud Romney Marsh rams, bred by Sir William Perry, Penrose, Masterton. The three mothers are a five-year, a sixtooth and a two-tooth respectively. A remarkable feature is that the six-tooth had a lamb as a hogget In 1934, twins in 1935, and again in 1936, and quadruplets this year. Generally only two lambs can remain with their mother, and it is necesary for the others to have fostermothers found for them. The mother instinct is strong among the ewes on Mr Daniell’s station, and when the 12 lambs were all mixed up together they were accurately sorted out by their parents, who would have nothing to do with the offspring of the others.