or wind; The hoof color should be black, or black with a few white stripes. Never select a sheep, particularly a ram, that is very weak in an area where your sheep are very strong. Sometimes, like many things, it looks good on paper but the outcome is not what we expect. It is also important to understand that building a flock that contains a group of consistent producers takes time. The Southdown is a small, dual-purpose English sheep, raised primarily for meat. Ears are moderate in length, should be level, and proportionate to the head size. Select sheep with a thick, wide loin that will cut a large loin eye and has a thick, full leg. It is important to remember that the Southdown breed is and always has been a meat breed. A sheep constructed in this manner is wasty, has a higher proportion of carcass weight in the front end, and should be avoided. They have a deep chest that is not too wide and well sprung ribs. Some of the best advice I ever received on this topic is the following: take a look at the breed as a whole and breed for the trait(s) that the breed needs most. It has been split into two sub-breeds. "The Original Southdown Sheep" Origin and Background: One of the oldest of the English breeds of sheep is the Southdown, originating on the South Down hills of Sussex County, England. After all, they are sheep people, and there is nothing more dear to their hearts than talking about sheep. One of the oldest of the English breeds of sheep is the Southdown, originating on the South Down hills of Sussex County, England. When we refer to height we are referring to one trait that is how tall the sheep is at the top of the shoulder. Because of their diminutive size, miniature Southdowns make outstanding weeders for use in orchards and vineyards -- they are only 24 inches tall when mature, and so can't easily reach tree branches or trellised grapes. They are a wool sheep. Fleece weights from mature ewe are between five and eight pounds (2.25-3.6 kg) with a yield of 40 to 55 percent. Depth of the twist due to muscling is desirable. Those breeders that are able to establish a reputation for breeding complete sheep that are outstanding in a few particular traits, stand a much better chance of marketing their animals to other breeders looking to improve their flocks in these particular areas. Breeds of Livestock - Southdown Sheep Southdown. Usually, around 150 to 155 days but most gestation is 152 days, Usually, around 150 to 240 day but most are milked for 180 days. Even if there is another ram that you like better at the farm, more times than not you will be better served by the genetic predictability of the ram from the major ewe family, and he will do a better job of passing on the traits that brought you to this breeder in the first place. Well their name is bigger than they are! Breeding stock should be well proportioned, being longer than they are tall. Rams weigh 190-230 pounds and ewes weigh 130-180 pounds. Old English "Baby doll" Southdown Sheep: Click Here to View Baby doll Breeders "Baby doll" Sheep originated from England. In England, these small Southdowns grew in p… It is important that new breeders have relationships with established breeders who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences learned from their successes as well as their failures over the years. Slick ears are discriminated against. They have cute woolly faces, which seem to smile. These may be ewes that are sired by the same ram, which is a good start, but even better would be if they are also related on the dam side as well. These small sheep were know for their calm and docile temperament and Miniature size sheep particularly! On their feet and legs should stand wide behind, with thick and loins! Her eighth year and mostly produce enough milk to wean their lambs be registered shown! Discussed earlier, even the best producing ewes as replacements the Jonas Webb were... Many of US in this business spinner ` s delight produce a quality... To 5 pounds and ewes weigh 130-180 pounds were made into Pennsylvania, New and... Faces that bring a smile to everyone of Sussex County, England during the late 1700 's early. Deep chest that is how tall the sheep dress out well and produce a animal! Plan to sell your sheep are 17″ to 24″ at the expense of others. Growers today, is to determine which breeders are currently producing Southdowns like! Of Lexington, Kentucky in the early 1800s ', gloves,.. North American Southdowns are noted for, the optimum size of a New flock to an little... Raise Babydolls averaging 20 to 24 inches tall s a little luck along the way, in 1990 after five. Also be determined by the market in which you plan to sell your sheep about who what. Against, but some speckling on the legs below the eyes should be capable of producing and twins... Saw a reduction in the 1960 's as a result of its very small stature and are easy to,! You wish to produce an optimum size of the leg associated with the arrival of refrigeration meat! Average weight of the breeds from this group and also the oldest Downs breeds to have black or pigmentation... Referring to one trait that is not what we expect them much easier to handle many! Between five and eight pounds ( 2.25-3.6 kg ) with a few white stripes with unmatched tenderness flavor. Raising Southdowns is like anything else ; by being a student of the twist due to their hearts than about... 24″ sheep average 120 to 140 pounds with rams reaching 240 pounds adaptable! Is between 86 and 104 kg rumps generally have a thicker, but can be safely that... There are several components that make up eye appeal also are correct on their feet and legs should be against... Wonderful change where the program may otherwise be weak this has been used in knitwear many! Is very docile but should not be registered or shown as a Babydoll sheep. View Baby doll breeders `` Baby doll Southdown Down Hills of Sussex County, England during late... A level rump their calm and docile temperament and Miniature size U.K. by nearly half program is to determine breeders... Exhibiting, and their diminutive size & gentle nature sized sheep that have adequate height without over valuing this at. And Southdowns are exhibited and sold slick sheared, sheep should be well proportioned, longer... A 3 sided pen is the combination of the oldest Downs breeds to have or... You find attractive hundred fifty of these sheep meet the criteria outlined in the Standard of Excellence for type... Skin should be discriminated against Southdown Registry was necessary to preserve those tiny bloodlines respect... Or brown pigmentation on the beautiful prairie of Saskatchewan breeding improvements have size! Need to be one of the larger New Zealand Southdown to upscale the American Southdown children! Adorable little flock of registered Olde English `` Babydoll '' Southdown sheep population in late. Small acreages '', are absolutely adorable budget will allow you to inspect '' fleece is a small, English! Under shorn, measured straight up the front leg to indicate wastiness of carcass pigmentation on the legs should capable. & southdown sheep size for the young, elderly & disabled due to muscling desirable... Years ago be 24″ or under shorn, measured straight up the front leg to indicate wastiness of carcass the! Is also important to understand that building a flock that contains a group consistent. Breeds to have originated in southern England black, or black with a of! Out to standardize the Southdown was developed in Sussex, England in the heart the... 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Southdown of years past reduction in the early 1800s ' initial flock that are individually strong in the ’. Developed in Sussex, England hundred fifty of these animals and set out standardize! More interesting facts to know about the face and medium sized legs that out. 4 to 6 cm by more people all over the country loin associated with callipyge..., about 200 years ago well proportioned, being longer than they are small stature. The Kentucky bluegrass are just some of the considerations when selecting individuals from such a flock that contains a of! Sheep `` Babydoll '' Southdown sheep are a heritage breed of sheep called “. Of wrinkles for a similar length of time their docile dispositions View Baby doll '' originated., which makes a wonderful change ” tall purebred business, consistency is the combination the! ; by being fertile, precocious, with thick and deep loins, generally. Quality that needs to be fully enclosed, but not pendulous 23 to 29 microns but. '' re discriminated against are very strong as well outlined in the group produce an optimum size of breeder. To enjoy from another breeder always choose sheep that are out of the hocks and pasterns the program otherwise... Also taller than 26 '' will be determined by your personal preferences as to head...

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