PHOTOS: Baby Animals at Mount Vernon Estate

The just welcomed its largest flock of newborn lambs bred from sheep living on the Estate.

The first lamb was born on March 3 and the last was born on March 22. A total of 46 lambs were born in a two-week span.

Mount Vernon breeds Hog Island sheep, which are native to Virginia and date back to the 1600s. They are an endangered breed, according to Lisa Pregent, livestock supervisor at Mount Vernon.

"We do keep a large flock here for breeding purposes and for shearing," Pregent said. "We do sell a bunch of sheep to other historical sites and private breeders who are interested in preserving the breed."

Additionally, two litters of piglets were born on Feb. 24 to two sows, adding 11 more pigs to the Estate's care. The pigs are Ossabaw Island hogs, an endangered breed originating from an island off the coast of Georgia, Pregent said.

Mount Vernon's livestock staff begins the day at 7:30 a.m., when the lambs and ewes are fed at the livestock facility and around the Estate. They are fed grain once a day and daily checks are conducted to make sure the lambs and ewes are healthy and happy. Fortunately, according to Pregent, pigs are "very easy" to care for.

"They just require feed in the morning and fresh water," Pregent said. "When it's hot, we make sure they have a mud hole so they can wallow in the mud."

The Ossabaw Island hogs best fit the description and breed of pigs George Washington owned, Pregent said, but because they are endangered, they are the "best breed for Mount Vernon to preserve."