Hollow Trees Farm in Semer celebrate five lambs born to the same ewe

A farmer was delighted after their miracle ewe defied odds of one in a million by giving birth to five healthy lambs.

Farm manager Will Pratt, of Hollow Trees Farm in Semer, near Hadleigh, welcomed the surprise set of quintuplets on March 21 to their Easy Care breed sheep.

The rare birth, with odds estimated at one in a million, marks the first time five healthy lambs have been born to a single ewe at the farm.

Will said the team had no prior knowledge that quintuplets were on the way as they did not have access to a scanner for pregnancy checks.

When the labour began, the team were astonished when lamb after lamb arrived.

Will said: “It was a privilege to experience.

"I just happened to be there as the ewe went into labour, and it was an incredible moment to witness.

"We were all surprised — they just kept coming.”

“Caring for five lambs has been a challenge, so we've taken three off the ewe to ensure there's enough milk for all of them.

"The remaining lambs are now being bottle-fed in the shed where visitors to the farm can see them by our dedicated team to help them grow strong and healthy."

Angharad Binder, daughter of farm owners Sally and Robert Bendall, who helped to assist during the labour, added: "We were amazed.

"It was really a special moment and we couldn't believe it was happening.

"These things are all a part of farm life, I guess, but it's just exciting to share that we have had such a rare event and it all turned out well."