CORVALLIS, Ore. – The public is invited to view the birth of lambs at Oregon State University’s sheep barn from Feb. 15 to March 2.
Each year, the event draws thousands of children and other visitors, according to the sheep center’s manager, Tom Nichols.
About 130 Suffolk and Polypay ewes are expected to give birth. The public can view them from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and weekends, but the barn will be closed Thursdays and Fridays for university classes.
The ewes and lambs are used for ongoing research in animal health, breeding, feeding and grazing management. OSU’s animal sciences department and the College of Veterinary Medicine also use them in instructional programs.
Small groups may take self-guided tours. Groups of more than 12 should arrange an appointment by sending an e-mail to lambing.barn@oregonstate.edu. Because of limited parking, carpooling is encouraged.
For additional information visit http://ans.oregonstate.edu/news/lambing.htm or call 541-737-2903. Admission is free, but visitors are invited to bring a non-perishable food item, which will be donated to the Linn-Benton Food Share.
The barn is at 7565 N.W. Oak Creek Drive in Corvallis. To reach it from downtown Corvallis, go west on Harrison Boulevard to the 53rd Street intersection. Continue west through the intersection on N.W. Oak Creek Drive. A sign 1.8 miles from the intersection marks the one-lane road to the facility.
