New Zealand scientists plan to tackle the thorny problem of ewes producing more lambs than they have nipples to accommodate, by simply upping mum's teat-count, Stuff.co.nz reports.

Apparently, NZ's ovine population has become more fertile over the past 10 years and females often drop triplets. AgResearch Invermay scientist George Davis solemnly explained: "A triplet, if he is the runt of the litter, is usually doomed."

Accordingly, Davis is scouring sheep flocks for ewes with four nipples, and hopes to use them to assemble a flock "from which rams can be bred to pass on this trait". ®

Related stories

• EU mandates electronic IDs for sheep and goats (18 December 2007)
• Vigilante attack sheep guard British village (23 March 2007)
• New Zealanders flock to AdultSheepFinder.com (21 February 2007)
• Defrosted sheep ovaries offer cancer fertility hope (15 September 2005)
• Sheep have best friends: official (16 March 2005)