ewe

Ewe is the term for a mature female sheep. It distinguishes females from rams (males) and lambs (young sheep). In animal husbandry, a ewe's reproductive life begins at puberty, typically six to twelve months depending on breed and management. The species is Ovis aries; ewes are kept for wool, milk in some breeds, and meat.

Reproduction and care: The gestation period is about 147 days. Ewes commonly give birth to one or two lambs; triplets occur in some breeds. After birth, ewes nurse their lambs and provide maternal care. Lactation lasts several months, and nutrition, parasite control, vaccination, and regular shearing are important for health and productivity. Breeding is often scheduled to align lambing with pasture availability.

Uses: Wool is produced by many ewes, though wool quality and quantity vary by breed. Ewes may be milked in dairy-oriented flocks, producing milk for cheese and other dairy products. Meat from lambs and adult ewes is a major source of sheep meat in many regions; production systems range from smallholder to industrial.

Ewe people: The Ewe are an ethnic group in West Africa, concentrated in Ghana and Togo, with smaller populations in Benin and Nigeria. They speak the Ewe language, part of the Gbe language family. The Ewe have a long tradition of music, dance, and crafts, and their social organization is organized around villages and clans. They have distinct religious practices and cultural art forms, including drumming traditions, such as the agbadza.