It’s a busy time of year over at UConn’s animal barns. The sheep are lambing, and students taking Introduction to Animal Science, Livestock, or Maternal Nutrition classes help out by monitoring the pregnancies and keeping the newborn lambs warm.

The University has a herd of around 100 sheep, comprising three different breeds: Dorset, the largest; Shropshire, with black faces; and Southdown, those with the thickest coats. There are two rams that are bred with the sheep, and each mother typically gives birth to twins.

Unlike most of UConn’s farm animals, which are accessible to the public, the sheep and lambs are accessible only to the students and staff who take care of them.