Buy Babydoll Sheep
John Ellman worked to preserve and standardize the breed as we know them today. However, the pure bloodline went nearly extinct at one point, with just 350 sheep accounted in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
buy babydoll sheep
Lambs are born in the spring after about a 145-day gestation period with typically 1-2 lambs per ewe or mother sheep. Lambs are fed by their mothers or bottle-fed if needed, and ready for their new homes in about 60-80 days.
Finding a reputable breeder is very important, of course. Our sheep are registered with the North American Babydoll Southdown Sheep Association & Registry. Make sure your lambs are provided with proper paperwork.
These adorable farmyard animals are a miniature version of the Southdown breed of sheep from England, and are very popular to show at county fairs. They are known(Opens in a new tab) for being a fairly docile sheep and also the cutest lawnmowers you've ever seen.
Their name refers to their cute, teddy bear-like appearance and the fact that the breed was developed in the South Down region of Sussex in England. This breed of sheep has a luxuriant coat that makes them very popular for their wool, which can be woven into similarly fine garments. Sheep were among one of the very first domesticated animals, and they have been part of human life as companions and sources of wool and food for millennia. Many thousands of years of selective breeding have produced a large of number of breeds specialized for different purposes and climates.
Catherine does not normally run her goats and sheep together. They have their own pens with males and females separated as well except for breeding season. There are few exceptions to this rule on her farm, Halfpint Farm and Fiber. However, after experiencing larger rams killing a small ram during breeding one season, she decided to place her smallest ram in with her does. What could happen?
What is a geep? While sheep and goats may appear very similar in build, size, and looks, they are not that closely related. They are of the same family of Caprinae under Bovine, but from there the genus differs in that goats are Caprines and sheep are Ovines. Sheep have 54 chromosomes while goats have 60. Because of this difference in the number of chromosomes, their offspring rarely survive to birth and are usually aborted. Even those that do make it to birth rarely live long. However, Spring Rose is thriving and growing well with 57 chromosomes. She shows all the signs of being able to live a long, healthy life. It is unknown if she will be able to breed. While many animal hybrids are sterile, some well-documented geep have been shown to be able to at least become pregnant.
My first geep was back in 1976. I did not have a ram with my sheep and the sheep ran with the goats on our property. My nubian billy took care if my ewes also. Didnt know at the time that they could crossbreed at times.
Babydolls are most often white or off-white, with their muzzle and legs ranging from very light tan to brown to cinnamon to gray, according to the North American Babydoll Southdown Sheep Association and Registry (NABSSAR). Babydoll sheep can also be black, which is a recessive gene. Black sheep always have black legs and muzzles. We have one black ewe and a black ram here on our farm. During the summer the black turns to a cinnamon color.
If you have ever contemplated raising sheep, you may want to consider starting with this breed, especially if you are not sure of the amount of fleece you will want to process. This breed is a noticeably small animal (producing a smaller amount of fiber), and it is a particularly good one to have around children. This breed tends to be docile and the ewes are good mothers. And according to the Olde English "Babydoll" Registry, because they are an ancient breed, they are not prone to many of the problems of modern breeds. If the fleece quality is what is most important to you, the micron count (determines softness) of this breed is generally near the cashmere range.
Why did Janice choose this breed? "They are the original sheep breed. The breed is ancient. I choose the breed because I fell in love with their smiles. They don't have horns and are only shorn once yearly. Their fiber length is on the shorter side. The yarn is great for blankets, mittens, scarfs and hats. All simple projects I thought I could complete. They are sweet comical animals and always make me laugh. Great guard animals! Anyone coming down my driveway gets 'bleeped'! "
Sheep are used in vineyards in winter to control weed growth under the vines and between the rows. They provide a free environmentally friendly fertiliser and they are used to help marketing some vineyards. They are typically kept in vineyards from harvest to bud burst, although some vineyards keep them in for longer. In cooler regions sheep may be used for leaf plucking between fruit set and veraison. Sheep reduce the need for tractor use, mowing, spraying herbicides, applying fertiliser and they reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Fences: You need good external fencing and some internal fencing. Sheep are most effective in weed control in vineyards when confined to smaller spaces and then moved on to new areas. You should consider temporary or electric fencing. This is because sheep are selective feeders and they eat the bits they like first and then they eat the rest if they are hungry. If you plan to use temporary electric fencing with sheep get some good advice from your stockist, as it needs to be properly set up.
Our family has been raising registered Olde English Babydoll Southdown sheep in Eastern Nebraska for about 25 years. We breed for excellence in conformation and mothering ability/udders. We like a good fleece, too. We have sheared, carded, spun, and knitted their wool, milked them and made various cheeses, and butcher lambs for our freezers each year. We also sell breeding stock to help other producers start or strengthen their flocks.
I love the variety of colors I see when my lambs are born. I especially like to see nice solid dark or cinnamon colored legs in my white babies, like Gem, below right. For more on babydoll color, see the breed standards posted on the registry websites.
Now these little sheep are used for many things. They make excellent pets & companions for the young, elderly & disabled due to their diminutive size & gentle nature. Their fleece is in the class of cashmere & their wool is ideal for hand spinning. They have been used with great success in wine vineyards as well as fruit & berry orchards since they are excellent grazers & they will not harm the fruits, girdle trunks of trees or harm shrubs. They leave the grounds well groomed & fertilize behind themselves as they graze! Because Babydoll Southdowns are an ancient breed, they are not prone to many of the modern sheep problems & are resistant to foot rot, a common ailment with modern sheep.
We have a small herd of Babydoll sheep which we are breeding. Adult Babydoll sheep are 430mm - 500mm at the shoulder. This makes them much easier to handle than many other farm animals. Their small size is less intimidating for owners and children. The recent trend in Australia toward smaller farms and miniature breeds gives the Babydolls an important place in the rural lifestyle. They are fuel-efficient lawn mowers and will keep any enclosed areas looking trimmed and tidy.
History:The Southdown is generally credited with being one of the oldest breeds of sheep, and is the grand ancestor of the other Down breeds. They originated in the South Downs of Sussex county, England. In their unimproved state prior to the end of the 18th century, they had several qualities that were not combined within any other breed in England. They produced a relatively good fleece of fine, high priced wool, their hindquarters were heavier than the front (providing flavourful meat), and they could thrive on low nutritional land. By the late 1790s, the improved Southdowns had become the most important breed in England. They were infused into every meat breed in Britain, and they contributed to the foundation stock of other down breeds: Suffolk, Hampshire, Oxford, Dorset Down, and Shropshire.
Whether this is your first visit, or you are already raisingand breeding BABYDOLL Southdowns, we invite you to take a look at allthe NABSSAR has to offer, and then, get involved. Join, register yoursheep, and participate in our Association and Registry whosegoal isto preserve the standards of the breed and to help our members reachnew enthusiasts and put a BABYDOLL Southdown in every yard.If you are new to BABYDOLL Southdowns, get ready to fall in love withthese charming creatures, just as each of us has before you. Learnabout the intelligent, quiet, and docile temperament of these critters.Their diminutive size makes them perfect for hobby farms, mini farms orrural homes with smaller acreage but they manage just fine on largefarms too.The BABYDOLL Southdown is the perfect choice if you are a spinner. Howwonderful is it spin the fiber from your own pet? Knowing and owningthe animal the fiber came from adds a special quality to the experience.Whatever your interest in BABYDOLL Southdowns, you have come to theright place. WE truly offer something for everyone.
Once one is familiar with ourbreed standard, it is a good idea to ask the seller to take photos ofthe sheep you are interested in so you can "see" the sheep to see foryourself if you think it meets breed standard and your standards and toalso take a look atits conformation. Photos you might ask for are: front, back, bothsides, and over the top.
The sheep should meet theheight standard. Since mostBabydolls are registered as lambs, they may not meet the heightstandard once they've grown up. If you're purchasing an oldersheep, it is a good idea to inquire about the height. When measuring asheep, allmeasurements are at the highest point ofthe middle of the shoulder andperpendicular tothe ground on a shorn sheep. If the sheep is not shorn, makesure you press down on the wool. Adultsheep should be between 18-24" tall. Most Babydoll ewes fall into the20-23" range andmost rams into the 22-24" range.Sheep17-18" or 24-26" are discriminated against,but can be useful in a well thought out breeding program. Asheep shorter than 17" or taller than 26" willbe disqualified. Thesesheep may not be registered or shown as a BabydollSouthdown. 041b061a72