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).
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 Sheep | Name of Female Sheep |
|---|---|
| Young Female Sheep (less than a year old) | Ewe Lamb |
| Adult Female Sheep | Ewe |
| Adult Female Used for Breeding | Brood Ewe |
| Female Mother Sheep | Dam |
| Female Sheep (age 1-2) | Yearling Ewe |
What Do You Call Your Female Sheep?
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.