CORVALLIS, Ore. – New lambs will begin arriving at Oregon State University's Sheep Center this month, and the public is invited to view this annual rite of spring.
About 250 ewes are expected to give birth to about 400 lambs in the barn, located at 7565 N.W. Oak Creek Dr. Each year, the sheep center draws thousands of school children and other visitors.
Lambing visits will start on Feb. 20 and run through March 14. The public may view the ewes and lambs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and weekends.The sheep center will be closed for classes Thursdays and Fridays.
Small groups may go on self-guided tours. Groups of more than 12 should first arrange appointments by sending an e-mail to lambing.barn@oregonstate.edu An out-of-office reply will be returned with further instructions. For additional questions call Tom Nichols at 541-737-2903.
To reach the center from downtown Corvallis, go west on Harrison Boulevard to the 53rd Street intersection. Continue west through the intersection on Oak Creek Drive. A sign 1.8 miles from the intersection marks the road to the center. The one-lane road has turnouts to yield to oncoming traffic.
The ewes and lambs are part of ongoing research studies in animal health, breeding, feeding and grazing management conducted by the OSU Agricultural Experiment Station. The animals are used also in instructional programs in the OSU Animal Sciences Department and the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
People interested in purchasing orphan or "bummer" lambs should call 541-737-2903 and leave a message.
