What is a Female Sheep Called

What is a Female Sheep Called?

Many people wonder about the name of a female sheep, and are surprised to discover that there are several commonly used names a female sheep is called. Your sheep’s age and the role she plays on the farm are both factors which help to determine what your female sheep should be called.

Common Terms & Names for Female Sheep

There are several different things a female sheep can be called and most are a variation of the word “ewe” (pronounced “you” in the United States).

Female Sheep
A female sheep is called a ewe. Here, a group of ewes grazes on a hillside.

Young female sheep (under the age of 1 year old) are called ewe lambs.

After your ewe is one year old (and until she is two years old) your female will be called a yearling ewe, after which she is often just referred to as a ewe.

Alternately, old ewes are often called brood ewes – a term which indicates their role on the farm (these ewes are primarily used for breeding purposes and every year they are relied on to deliver and raise healthy lambs). 

Once a ewe has lambs she is referred to as the dam of those lambs (the lamb’s father is referred to as its “sire”). 

Names to Know

Type of SheepName of Female Sheep
Young Female Sheep (less than a year old)Ewe Lamb
Adult Female SheepEwe
Adult Female Used for BreedingBrood Ewe
Female Mother SheepDam
Female Sheep (age 1-2)Yearling Ewe

What Do You Call Your Female Sheep?

A Female Sheep is Called a Ewe

Now that you’ve answered the question “what is a female sheep called?” we have a question for you … what is your favorite term?

Readers visit our website from all over the world. If there’s a word (or words) we haven’t included in this article that you use locally to reference female sheep we want to hear it!

Weigh in by leaving a comment. Then learn all of the names for a male sheep and other beginner tips and information about raising sheep.

Explore our website with the navigation at the top of the page. Or visit our homepage to find your way around.