Quins make it an Easter occasion
A rare multiple birth saw a ewe in Slindon have quins on Easter Sunday.
The miracle fivesome beat the odds to arrive at Gaston Farm. Such high multiple births occur probably one in 8,000 times.
Unfortunately, only four of the quins survived through the night, but the next day another ewe gave birth to a set of quadruplets.
As ewes have only two udders, competition for milk is fierce among the new babies. The stronger ones have been fostered to ewes carrying single lambs to allow all the babies a fair chance at mother's milk.
Head shepherd Darren Sercombe proudly asserts that all his fostering attempts this year have been successful. All the lambs have being accepted and cared for by their new mothers.
The babies are doing well and are expected to be let out into the fields by the weekend. The farm is open to visitors between 10am and 5pm during April.
Entry is 4 each, under-twos free, and there are refreshments and a picnic area on site.
Some 50 ewes are still waiting to give birth to give lucky visitors the chance to witness lambs being born.
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Weather for Chichester
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 29 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West

