What is the term used for female sheep that provide higher quality meat than mutton?

The term used for female sheep is "ewes." Ewes are adult female sheep that, when raised for meat production, can provide higher quality meat compared to mutton, which is the meat from older sheep. The meat from younger sheep, often referred to as "lamb," is typically considered more tender and flavorful, and ewes can be bred to produce lambs, which is the source of this higher quality meat.

In contrast, rams are male sheep and do not directly relate to the quality of meat in the same way as ewes. Lambs refer to young sheep, specifically those that are under one year old, and while they provide high-quality meat, the term specifically designates age rather than the female gender. Goats are a different species altogether and do not fall under the category of sheep, thus they are unrelated to the question regarding female sheep.