במדבר, פרק ט״ו, פסוק י״א

The laws governing the libations that accompany animal sacrifices demand absolute uniformity and precision. Despite natural variations in an animal's age, gender, or species, the required measure of these drink offerings is strictly fixed for each category without any room for compromise. This exactness is critical; any addition or subtraction from the established measure completely invalidates the sacrifice [רש״ר הירש]. This obligation is so foundational that if a non-Jew brings an offering but fails to provide the accompanying libations, the community must use public funds to supply the proper measure [העמק דבר].

When it comes to cattle, age plays no role in determining the size of the libation. From a legal standpoint, a one-day-old calf is treated exactly the same as a fully grown bull [מלבי״ם, רלב״ג]. Because age-based distinctions exist among male sheep, it would be easy to mistakenly assume that a young calf requires a smaller libation than a mature bull. Instead, the law clarifies that both require the exact same amount [תורה תמימה, חזקוני]. Furthermore, the required measure for a single adult bull cannot be divided to cover two small calves; every individual animal, regardless of its age, demands its own complete and undivided measure [מלבי״ם].

A different standard applies to male sheep, where age creates a distinct legal boundary. A male sheep is considered a lamb during its first year, but upon reaching thirteen months and one day of age, it officially becomes a ram [רש״י, ביאור יש״ר]. Because the adult ram is larger, it requires double the libation amount of a young lamb [אבן עזרא]. Once a sheep attains the status of a ram, its required measure remains permanently fixed, meaning a newly matured ram and a four-year-old ram receive the exact same libation [תורה תמימה, מלבי״ם]. While a newborn sheep might occasionally be referred to as a ram in other contexts, when the term is specifically contrasted with a lamb, it always denotes a mature adult [ברטנורא].

Aside from this specific distinction for male sheep, all other flock animals are grouped together under a single, uniform standard. The general category for these animals typically refers to those in their first year [רש״י], though for goats, it can include older animals as well [ברכת אשר]. The primary approach among commentators is that this broad grouping prevents us from applying the male sheep's age distinction to other animals. Consequently, there is absolutely no difference in the required libations between a young female lamb and an adult ewe, or between a young kid and a mature male goat [תורה תמימה, חזקוני, מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, with the sole exception of the adult male sheep, every other member of the flock requires the exact same measure of libations, regardless of its age, gender, or size [רש״ר הירש, משכיל לדוד].