So, you've completely fallen in love with these oh-so-cute, smiling, teddy bear sheep. You might have read about their cashmere, soft wool. Maybe you've wondered about their potential as orchard laborers. And now you just can't wait to cuddle a Babydoll Sheep of your own.
But wait a minute...
My husband and I have raised these small sheep on our hobby farm for over 7 years. Here's everything we think you should know BEFORE rushing out to buy an Olde English Southdown Babydoll Sheep.
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What are Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep?
Meat sheep. Yup, you read that right. It may have been their smiling faces that first caught your attention, but the Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep are a meat breed originally known for their tasty, tender lamb chops. Babydoll Southdown Sheep are one of the oldest meat breeds that originated in the downlands of southern England.
Now, we need to stop momentarily and honor an extraordinary individual - John Ellman. He recognized the potential of this heritage breed and standardized them in 1780. Forty-four years later, in 1824, these cute, little sheep were introduced to the US and around the world.
After World War II, Babydoll Sheep entered a dark period. With the introduction of modern-day fridges, people began demanding larger cuts of meat and these small, original Southdowns almost went extinct! Breeders started crossing these small sheep with larger breeds such as the New Zealand Southdowns to produce today's larger, leggier, commercial Southdown sheep.
Thankfully, Robert Mock came to their rescue. He spent years searching for the original bloodlines running ads in farm papers across the United States.
In 1990, he renamed the original bloodlines - Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep - to differentiate them from the commercial Southdown Sheep. After a successful breeding program, in 1999, the little Southdowns were returned to new homes in the south down hills of Sussex County, where they had been extinct for 50 years.
Caring for Your Sheep
Babydoll Sheep are extremely low-maintenance, but there are a few things you need to do to keep your flock happy and healthy.
Shelter
Our flock always has access to pasture, but in the winter, when the snow becomes too deep, they spend most of their time in the barn.
We also have a simple, 3-sided lean-to that protects them from rain, snow, wind, and the hot sun when they are out on pasture.
What type of fencing do Babydoll Sheep need?
Babydolls require good fences. Unlike goats, sheep are not escape artists. However, you'll need a great perimeter fence to keep hungry predators (who would love to have a lamb chop supper) out.
We use a 5-strand electric fence. I would also recommend a four-foot, 4" x 4" page wire fencing with 2 strands of electric wire on top.
In addition to a perimeter fence, we use simple portable electric mesh fences like this one to move the sheep around our pasture.
My personal experiences: Our only issue has been when our female ewes are in heat. The males will try and jump the fence to get to them. Also, when lambs are small, they can get entangled or get their head stuck in the portable electric mesh fence (because the grass is always greener on the other side). Ask me how I know!
Getting your first flock? → Here are the Babydoll sheep supplies I actually bought (and what I'd skip).
How many Babydoll Sheep can be kept per acre?
There is no one sheep stocking rate per acre which is considered ideal for all climates and pasture conditions. However, these small sheep do not need much space and generally only need about 1 acre of land for every 5 ewes and their lambs. This makes them perfect for a small hobby farm.
What do Babydoll Sheep eat?
One of the first questions customers ask me is what, when, and how much I feed my sheep. In answer, I have written a simple feeding guide for Babydoll Sheep. In summary, our flock is on pasture for most of the year. However, during the winter we feed them second-cut hay. Although first-cut hay may be cheaper, second-cut hay is more palatable and nutritious for these miniature sheep. It also has higher protein levels.
In addition to hay, they should have access to sheep minerals or a sheep mineral block for additional nutrients.
How much hay do I feed my Babydoll Sheep?
Our full-grown sheep eat half a flake of hay twice a day.
Hoof trimming
Keep an eye on your sheep's hooves. They may have to be trimmed 3 to 4 times a year. If you haven't already, order a pair of hoof trimmers.
Grooming
Your sheep will have to be sheared once a year. We usually do this after lambing in the spring. For a list of shearers in Canada, visit the Canadian Co-Operative Wool Growers. For a list of shearers in the United States, visit the American Sheep Industry Association.
What do Babydoll Sheep look like?
Babydoll Sheep are most famous for their smiling faces. These adorable animals always look like they're living their best life. Babydolls are smaller in size than other breeds and are naturally polled (born without horns). They can either be white, black, or spotted.
How big are Babydoll Sheep?
Babydoll Sheep are often advertised as "small or tiny". This is because their short hind legs are set low to the ground. I'm 5'2 and the top of the heads of our miniature sheep reach my waist. They should be about 18 to 24 inches at the shoulder, newly shorn, according to NABSSAR (North American Babydoll Southdown Sheep Association and Registry).
However, I can attest to the fact that, despite their size, Babydoll Sheep are very well-built and strong.
How much does a Babydoll Sheep weigh?
A Babydoll Sheep weighs about 70 to 120 lbs (32 - 54 kilograms). Rams typically weigh a little more than ewes.
What color are Babydoll Sheep?
These adorable animals come in several different colors. They can be a creamy white, a jet black (fading to a light brown over time), or spotted. This year, we mated our white ram with a black ewe and she gave birth to two different colored twins. You never know if you will get white or black lambs!
Important Note: Spotted lambs are considered "blemished" and you will not be able to register them with NABSSAR (North American Babydoll Southdown Sheep Association and Registry). However, they are absolutely adorable.
What are Babydoll Southdown Sheep used for?
Most families who have bought my sheep are interested in these small sheep as pets or for their wool. But they are also excellent weeders and fertilizers for your pasture.
Are Babydoll Sheep good pets?
Babydoll Sheep have a gentle nature. However, don't believe everything you read. There are SO many posts stating that all Babydolls are excellent companions, have a docile disposition, and are great for young children due to their small size. BUT male rams are male rams no matter what the breed of sheep. You should NEVER turn your back on a ram. You can be head-butted.
However, all our Babydoll ewes have been docile and gentle. Due to their smaller and more manageable size, they would make great 4-h projects.
The Benefits of Babydoll Sheep wool
What is the wool quality of Babydoll Sheep?
Babydoll Sheep are said to have one of the finest wool types of all the British breeds. It may be short stapled (only about 2 to 3 inches in length), but it is springy, soft, and bouncy making it a hand spinner's delight.
Their wool is in the 19 to 22-micron range, which means it's in the class of cashmere. However, it doesn't feel like cashmere. It's a slightly more rougher and rustic yarn. You can always blend it with other finer wools if you want a softer feel.
How do you use Babydoll Sheep wool?
We have turned our sheep's fleece into yarn, roving, and wool dryer balls. One of the best uses for their wool is for felting. Babydoll fleece has more barbs per inch, which makes it perfect for this hobby.
Babydolls in the garden and orchard
Sheep manure is an excellent fertilizer for your pasture and for your garden. Our sheep have helped to improve our pasture by keeping it trimmed and fertilized. Babydolls have also been used successfully in vineyards as well as fruit and berry orchards. Personally, we didn't have any luck with this. Our sheep are happy to girdle the trunks of our young fruit trees and eat their leaves. Buyer beware!
Are Babydoll Sheep good for meat?
Babydoll Sheep are known to have tender, flavorful meat but I can't imagine raising them for this purpose. However, if you are interested in a dual-purpose breed for your small acreage, Babydoll Sheep would be an excellent choice. You can enjoy both tasty meat and excellent wool.
Lambs and Breeding
How many lambs do Babydoll Sheep have?
Babydoll ewes can have singles, twins, or even triplets. However, sheep only have two teats. If your ewe has more than 2 lambs, you may have to bottle-feed the others.
When do Babydoll Sheep breed?
Babydolls can be bred in their second year once they have reached their adult size. They are seasonal breeders. Our girls typically come into heat from August to February. We put the ewes with their assigned males at the end of October for 40 days, which catches 2 heat cycles. A heat cycle will last 13 to 19 days. During the winter, the ewes are pregnant and, in the spring, they give birth. They are pregnant for about 5 months (147 days).
How do I prepare for lambing season?
If you would like more info on lambing, check out my "Wooly Great Lambing Guide: Your Top 20 Questions Answered".
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put two male Babydoll Sheep together?
We keep our two males together without any issues. Hunter and Henley are the best of friends.
Can Babydoll Sheep live alone?
Unfortunately, you can't keep one Babydoll Sheep. Babydolls have a strong flocking instinct and need companionship to be happy. They will be content with another breed of sheep or goat. Due to this fact, I will only sell lambs in pairs if the buyer does not already have companions for their lamb.
Can Babydoll Sheep live with goats?
Although Babydolls are happiest with other sheep, sheep and goats are known to befriend each other. However, please note that copper is toxic for sheep so any feed or minerals you give to your goats should be free of copper.
How long do Babydoll Sheep live?
Babydoll Sheep can live 10 to 15 years, according to Storey's Guide to Raising Miniature Livestock. However, like most sheep, it is not unheard of for them to live much longer. Currently, the oldest sheep living (aptly named "Grandma) is 23 years 341 days!
Are Babydoll Sheep loud?
Babydolls are quiet, docile souls. They occasionally call out to each other with a gentle "baaaaa".
How much do Babydoll Sheep cost?
A registered Babydoll ewe can cost between $800 to $1,000 Canadian. A registered Babydoll ram can cost between $800 to $1,000 Canadian.
Where to buy Babydoll Sheep?
We have Babydoll lambs for sale every spring. Our sheep are registered with the North American Babydoll Southdown Sheep Association & Registry. If you are interested in a lamb, please message me and I'll add you to our waiting list.
Our personal experience and lessons learned
Being a shepherdess and raising Babydoll Sheep on our hobby farm for over 7 years has had its joys and challenges. To learn more about the lessons we have learned, check out this post - Raising English Babydoll Southdown Sheep: Lessons Learned.
I hope you're now ready to bring home and snuggle your own Olde English Southdown Babydoll Sheep. If you have any other questions about the breed, please reach out. I would be happy to answer them.
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