A young farmer from Carndonagh in Inishowen got a bit of a shock when one of his flock of ewes produced quadruplets last week.

As lambing season approached, Stephen Collins from the townland of Ballyloskey was aware that this particular expectant mother would be a multiple birth case. What he didn’t realise was just how many lambs she was going to end up producing.

The 19-year-old Carn man’s Donegal ewe had been paired with a Waterford champion ram.

Stephen, who lives on the family farm at Ballyloskey, had his ewe scanned and it then came to light that she was carrying three lambs.

Stephen with his ewe and her four lambs.

placeholder image — Stephen with his ewe and her four lambs.

Stephen saw his sheep starting to lamb on Friday, March 6 and thankfully she produced three lambs that were all born healthy.

Then he noticed her lie down and start pushing again and out popped the surprise little lamb.

"He got quite a shock, he wasn’t expecting four lambs,” his mum Annmarie said. “She had three ewe lambs and one ram lamb, all born healthy.”

For Stephen, his ewe and her new brood it’s all’s well that ends well, but it just goes to prove that you can’t always count on counting sheep!

Meanwhile, Gardaí in Donegal recently issued a general warning to pet owners to be mindful of their dogs during lambing season.

They stressed the harm that pets can cause if left to roam free or unsecured and not kept under effective control.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: “At this time of the year, we often see issues with sheep kills when dogs attack livestock. Sheep worrying isn’t just chasing – it’s the stress, injury, or even death of sheep caused by loose or out-of-control dogs.

“A single attack can devastate a flock, causing ewes to miscarry and leaving lambs orphaned. Keep in mind that it is within the law for a farmer to shoot a dog that is worrying or attacking their sheep so please keep your family pet under effective control!

“With dog ownership comes responsibility. Secure your dog, have it microchipped and registered with your vet. Report any sightings of out-of-control dogs to your local Garda station or dog warden.”