‘Beans’ and ‘Tinder’ produce million-to-one quintuplets

Louise Walsh

The off-spring of a wonder sheep whose ear was bitten off in a dog attack has given birth to a ‘million to one’ quintuplets.

‘Beans’ gave birth to three ewes and two ram lambs on Monday morning on the Dunderry farm of traditional matchmaker Gus Martyn, who bought ‘Tinder’ the dad ram online.

The odds of a ewe having five lambs are a million to one but those chances are even higher when all five lambs survive.

Gus was doling out the milk bottles to feed all five healthy lambs on Monday while his seven young grandchildren were discussing names for the newborns.

Incredibly, Beans’ mother also gave birth to quadruplets after she was attacked by dogs who killed five sheep and 23 lambs on the farm seven years ago.

“We are just delighted with the five lambs,” said Gus.

“All five are doing really well but we are giving the mam a helping hand by feeding the lambs with bottles as Beans hasn’t enough milk herself for all of them.

“I’m told it is very rare to have five but even rarer if they all survive and all these lot are in fine fettle. All of them were born about 2.5 kilos in weight.

“I’ve had ewes give birth to quads before but this is my first time having quintuplets.

“Thankfully myself and my wife, Olive were there at the birth at 6.05am because the second lamb was breeching and needed intervention. If we weren’t there, the last three may not have made it.

“Their ‘granny’ was also called Beans because her ear was bitten off in a dog attack and she was so traumatised that she would only pick the beans out of the feed and eat them. Despite her trauma, she had four lambs without any medical intervention under a tree on the farm the following year, which is a huge feat in itself.

“Beans junior was born the year after that.”

Gus is well-known in the village as a traditional matchmaker and chuckles at the fact that he bought the ram online.

“It was my first ever time buying livestock online. I rang Carnaross Mart and the manager James Mallon advised me on the rams they had and directed me to buy one off the website.

“So because I met the ram online and I’m a matchmaker, I called him Tinder.

“He has sired all 40 ewes on the farm and so far, we have had a lot of triplets and twins and now quintuplets so he must have super powers of his own!

“I’m not sure why we have been lucky with multiples but I think it is because we only have 40 ewes so they get extra care and as well as that, I flush them by limiting their grass feed for a few days and then feeding them on grass before they go out with the ram. It helps with their egg production, I’ve been told.

“Anyway, Beans and the babies are doing well and my seven grandchildren, who also include twins, are busy putting names on all of them.”

Gus is a founding member of the long-established Dunderry Fair in the village and all five lambs will be on show at the event on 12th May.