“Babydoll” Sheep - Olde English Southdown

We selected this breed of sheep for more than the sweet teddy bear face although, that is sure to give you a smile. Seeing as they are smaller in stature with short legs and smaller frames they do well in small areas and around little ones. We wanted to raise sheep that would not intimidate or hurt our young children. Both ewes and rams are polled (have no horns) and are non-aggressive by nature. They are easy to care for and keep fenced in.

Why get “Babydoll” Southdown Sheep?

Olde English “Babydoll” Southdowns make excellent pets, they produce wool, provide companionship and keep the lawn or grass down in the orchard.

Wonderful Pets

These little “Babydoll” sheep make excellent companions for people of all ages. Their gentle nature makes them a pleasure to own, and their small size, 24” at the withers, makes them an excellent choice for 4-H projects.

Wool

“Babydoll” fleece generally runs in the 19 to 22 micron range, which puts the fleece in the class of cashmere. Babydoll fleece also has more barbs per inch than any other wool type, making it ideal for blending with other fibers.

Orchard/Lawn Management

“Babydolls” make great organic weeders and lawn mowers. They have been used successfully in vineyards as well as fruit and berry orchards since they will not harm the fruits, girdle trunks of trees, or harm shrubs. They leave the grounds well groomed and fertilize the soil as they graze.

Companions

“Babydolls” are wonderful companion animals for other non-aggressive livestock. Their docile disposition has a soothing effect on other livestock. However, they should not be kept with intact male llamas, alpacas or goats. As with any new animals it is wise to introduce them slowly. This gives everyone a chance to become acquainted without becoming overwhelmed or stressing the Babydoll sheep.

Care

“Babydoll” Southdowns are an ancient breed, making them less prone to many of the modern sheep health issues. They tend to be resistant to foot rot. We have not had this issue at all on our farm. Although easy keepers they require care like any other sheep which includes selective worming, hoof trimming, annual shearing, and vaccination if practiced by the farmer. A good grass mix hay/lawn/pasture, a salt block and loose mineral and these sheep thrive. Being naturally good mothers, the ewes are known to lamb easily and rarely require assistance.