Raising Baby Doll Sheep

For the last 15 years, my husband have raised Olde English Miniature Baby Doll Southdown sheep. That’s a big name for a little sheep.

Baby dolls are an old sheep breed with teddy bear faces. They always look like they are smiling. Being a miniature breed of sheep—only 24 inches tall when full grown—they are great for weeding vineyards and orchards, since their small size makes it difficult for them to reach tree branches or vines.

Their wool is in the same class as cashmere. Care for Baby Dolls is pretty basic--including sheering, vaccinating, foot trimming, and worming.

Over the years, we have raised sweet little lambs. Baby Dolls lamb once a year in the late winter or spring. On our farm, lambing season is quickly approaching.

This year I have three ewes and one ram since we’ve downsized our flock quite a bit. Already, we’ve had inquiries on the lambs that will be born in the next few months. Most years, the lambs are sold even before they are born.

Why am I posting this here? We believe that supporting and living in tune with nature is one of the most important things that a person can do. Caring for animals every day, watching them, being responsible for their care and feeding is humbling. Participating in the cycle of life--birth, death, joy and sadness--is very rewarding. It's a way of life that is disappearing.