Rare lamb octuplets born on Minnesota farm

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Thursday, April 9, 2015
RAW VIDEO: Lamb octuplets born on Minnesota farm
RAW VIDEO: The family who owns the JTF Ranch in Truman, Minnesota says the birth is unlike anything they have ever seen before

TRUMAN, MN -- In what might just be the biggest litter of lambs in North America, a momma ewe just welcomed a set of octuplets.

The litter is highly unusual because most Polypay sheep only give birth to 1 to 3 lambs at a time.

The family who owns the JTF Ranch in Truman, Minnesota told KEYC News it is unlike anything they have ever seen before.

"It's pretty exciting. I never dreamt that we or you could have that many lambs," said farmer Travis Fowler. "So to say that she's a prolific ewe would probably be an understatement."

The six little girl and two little boy lambs are now one week old, and already taking life by the horns.

"They were getting up really fast. It was surprising because I've never seen that in my thirteen years I've been working here," said Fowler's son, 13-year-old Jed Fowler.

At first the family felt slightly sheepish and a little overwhelmed.

"That fact that they made it for a full week, because every day you come out going, 'Is everyone still ok? Is everyone still alright?' And yeah that they are doing good is nice too," Fowler's wife, Jeanine Fowler told KEYC News.

The six girl lambs will stay with the Fowlers and the rams will eventually be sold.