In this area, hair sheep often sell higher than wool sheep. Four years ago we began converting all our cropland into pasture and expanded the flock. Cost - Sheep aren't cheap. The ewes can breed up to twice a year and have an abundance of good quality milk high in butter fat content. Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. The Columbia sheep are large animals with white face. Since hair sheep dont have a heavy wool coat, they cant take the cold. For several years weve had Romanov/Katahdin crosses. If you'd care to discuss This spring we had an overall lambing average of 1.9 lambs/ewe born with 1.7 lambs weaned. I am planning to retire to St. Croix in the next year or so. 1. https://dorpersheep.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-Mid-America-Dorper-Sale-Report-1.pdf?fs=e&s=cl. As mentioned earlier, hair sheep breeds are considerably more heat-tolerant than wool breeds. Keeping Sheep (how to prepare your farm & yourself), Best Sheep Breeds for Beginners (your options), How to Create a Business Plan for Sheep Farming, How to Buy a Lamb that Will Win! These include: Dorper sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means raising them for meat is your only option. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. Over time, Caribbean Hair sheep became well adapted to the heat and humidity of their environment. Salty air can take its toll on your things, especially electronics. The Dorset has white wool and the Persian has a black head. Know a lot about lawn mowers, but nothing about sheep? ), more intense selection for increased body length and a ewe flock of around 160-175 ewes. You can even crossbreed them to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead. Save 20 days of your life you would otherwise spend plucking chickens! The Jacob sheep is indeed a unique breed in America. A broken lawn mover has led Aust to pondershould he buy a new ride-on lawnmower? The St. Croix is increasing in numbers, and though it is still rare, the breeds future seems promising. Our sponsor The Power Plucker will make your life easier. If you have a lot of visitors around your homestead, then this breed might be one that you'd want to consider. St. Croix Hair Sheep Breeders Inc focuses on protecting the future of St. Croix Sheep through preservation, promotion, development of performance characteristics, and supplying registration solutions. We have eight foot Scotch Pines that look like a girdled palm tree and have seen them strip an old dried Christmas tree of its needles. Wondering whether to add Dorper or Katahdin sheep to your homestead? The St. Croix are used to train working dogs and are used in sheep dog trials. Here are a few of the not so great things about sheep that you should know about. We would definitely like a breed that is more docile, hardy and produces. To be successful, you must sell quality, and I stress quality animals; send anything else to slaughter. Even though I feed well, they will always We rely on the support of our members, grants, and donations from the public to raise the $700,000 a year needed to maintain our conservation work with rare breeds of farm animals. Brandon says. Thank you for joining the journey! Read more and see the photo gallery here. wonderful pets, lawn mowers and weed eaters. Contact a breeder in your area about St. Croix hair sheep. . No need for shearing and tail-docking. As a bit of trivia, the majority of cull ewes the U.S. exports go to the Mexico City area. I mean, Im from the suburbs. One of the first major successes was the N'Dama from West Africa, imported to St. Croix in the mid- to late 1800s. This is inconvenient since you must pasture ram lambs separately from ewes to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Search Island-wide Listings Here! Have you posted your Bee interview you talked about on this podcast? Your email address will not be published. Sheep Breeds. the rain gutter and lamb). If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. They are so much cleaner than woolies. you want lots of sheep in a short period of time and have a lot of Several Polypay owners in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to stomach worms. Though heat tolerant, the sheep can be raised in many parts of North America. For us, the Katahdin sheep breed fits our operation and our philosophy quite well. of Grants Pass. Accountant Mike and Aust battle it out: To mow or not to mow? Katahdin sheep and Dorper are bred as meat sheep breeds. You see, this sheep doesn't need shearingit sheds its fleece once a year. Most Muslims prefer intact ram lambs without tails being docked. Excellent way to promote parasite resistance into your flock! Fact: In central Missouri, raising sheep for wool has been a losing proposition for a number of years. Compared to other breeds, these sheep are relatively new, dating back to the 1950s. People have tried for over a hundred years to find just the right breed to thrive in the tropical heat. I just recentky discovered your Youtube channel and now your blog. United States of America. This may or may not be the case in other states. Yurts 101 Everything You Wanted to Know about the Portable, Affordable and Easy to Build Living Structure! Most parasite resistant sheep breed! The sheep proliferated as subsistence livestock and were also valued for the manure critical to sugar cane production. Sure enough, hes been trimming hooves. They were bred with other hard footed, shedding, Continue reading "Wiltipoll" I can get a # 5 shad rap or walleye diver banging bottom in 32ft of water, but you let out about 80 to 90 yards, I typically use 27lb lead core, with penn 320 reel, it holds all 100 yards and use 5-6ft fireline leader it holds up better than mono. There are a lot of advantages to keeping Dorper sheep in the US. Since Missouri has more Katahdin sheep than any other state, the majority of export animals come from here. Croix sheep are the most parasite resistant breed, so why don't I raise them on my farm? Aside from the obvious (they taste good), they make They range from 6'8 to 7 in length; Medium, Medium-Light, or Medium-Heavy in power, and Extra-Fast to Fast in action. Washington 99117. perspective). Youll find these sheep to have an easy-going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner meat with even fat distribution. - I rarely have to They have a long life and the ewes can produce lambs for up to 10 to 12 years of age. The best genetics wont keep an animal from starving to death. In Canada, Katahdin sheep commonly gain well over a pound per day. We have an 18-cell planned grazing system with 10,000 feet of electric fence and 5,000 feet of underground waterline on 35 acres. These sheep are typically white in color, though there are known variations such as light brown, tan and black or white with black or brown spots. They will stand on their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their leaves. They have fiber/hair that is shed annually and does not contain any wool fiber. But the Columbia sheep are much larger than the Corriedale sheep. I grew up on a 100-acre sheep farm in Maine, was an active member in 4H, and I showed my flock across New England and at the national show in Louisville, Kentucky. document.write(OT); The breed was developed in the mid-1950s by crossing imported St. Croix Sheep and several other breeds, including the Suffolk Sheep.They are raised predominantly as meat animals in the U.S. and have become enormously popular in recent years due to high . They can provide you with information pertaining to regulations, health requirements and local export brokers. (Weve heard them all.). By Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius Photographs: Dr. Jerry Fitch, Extension Sheep Specialist . Green Pastures Farm St. Croix-sired ewe lambs are raised solely on forage. The St. Croix sheep are a hair sheep breed which means they grow a fine coat of hair in the autumn to winter months rather wool and it is shed each spring time. We are in the process of installing another 10,000 feet of electric fence on 25 acres that will result in another nine paddocks. St. Croix were first brought to the Caribbean via West Africa. The first St. Croix were imported into the USA in the 1960s to develop the Katahdin sheep breed. When comparing weights, keep in mind we live in north central Missouri. Electricity and Cell Coverage. If Bowdridge can figure out the genetic marker that allows St. Croix to be immune from this parasite, he could help the entire sheep population of America. P.S. . (Lynne Vanderlinden) live in Cave Junction (extreme SW), Oregon, outside just want to exchange thoughts, I'd love to chat. meat-to-bone ratio. Cons of Living in St.Croix 1. In our operation, that sheep breed is the Katahdin sheep. After slaughter, all thats left is hide, manure and stomach contents. Grazing animals put on weight quickly in preparation for the long winters. Kingshill, St. Croix,, Virgin Islands 00850. St. Croix rams offer an impressive and exotic looking mane of long white hair around their shoulders and chests, giving them a strong and imperial presence. These slaughter lambs sell comparable to pure Katahdin sheep per pound unless theyre full of cockleburs and briars. A type of hair breed, Katahdin sheep originate in the United States. The sheep and I After being on island for over a year, I thought it was about time to compile a list of both the pros and cons of living on St. Croix. We both work off thefarm; therefore time is a commodity in short supply. Dorpersare known for their fast weight gains as lambs. The St Croix (Saint 'Croy') is a breed of domestic sheep native to the U.S. Virgin Islands and named for the island of Saint Croix.They are often also called Virgin Island White because those that were imported into North America were selected for white coloration. They usually carry their heads very upright and are an active alert breed. Did you know that Dorper sheep dont need to be sheared? It is becoming more and more popular not just in . If you have kids, sheep can make a wonderful family pet. Additionally, cell phone coverage can be spotty in some remote areas of the island. I dont have a farm yet as I work as an ordinary rank and file employee but it is my ultimate goal to have one someday. Now you have a good idea of the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, which one is right for your homestead? Ewes often produce twins and have plenty of milk to raise them. Offspring of this imported group were further selected for consistency of conformation, and this process has resulted in the development of the St. Croix, a standardized breed in the United States. If you decide to start living in St. Thomas, then you are going to be living in a U.S. territory. St. Croix sheep are known for high fertility, and ewe lambs become fertile at about six months of age. Breeders often use less-expensive Katahdin ewes to initiate an upgrading program with registered Dorper as the final goal. naturally longer list, and remember, this is from my personal They would be for pasture management and meat. 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Extract Natural Dye for Wool from Goldenrod Plants, Why Teach Classes on How to Knit, Spin, Weave or Felt, Use This Sweater Mitten Pattern to Bring New Life to Old Clothes. Love the podcast, by the way. The hair coat, which eliminates the need for shearing, is part of this adaptation. Raising chickens? They also benefit from a long productive life, giving you maximum bang for your buck. Development costs for beachfront property can be slightly more expensive. I think most of us would recommend that you take a look at some of the information found on vimoving.com as hey are a site dedicated to providing helpful . They are extremely aggressive foragers towards brush . It has an entirely different purposemeat. Sheep provide two sources of cash income: lamb and wool. Breeders Association. For example, we consider time spent worming, shearing, docking and trimming hooves as merely maintaining an operation. Could I have some input on pros and cons of st croix sheep, please! My favorite vlog of yours was about your new animals, goats and sheep. While Dorper sheep are considered a hair breed, Ive found a large number have quite a bit of wool or curly fibers in their coat. Pioneers get 10% off beekeeping equipment. Our Wiltipoll sheep were developed in Australia from the Wiltshire Horn shedding horned sheep and Poll Dorset sheep back in the 1980s. Making Natural Clothing Dye From Vegetables. - No docking, unless The influence of the Wiltshire Horn was later diminished as selection against horns was imposed . In my own life, with a family, a job, and multiple interests, needs, and dreams, learning to make decisions has become a necessary skill. Can anyone help me with pros and cons? Two weeks later, the ewes hadnt lost any body condition. The St. Croix is a North American sheep breed thats part of the Caribbean Hair sheep family. $14.95, Copyright 2020 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | PO BOX 477, 33 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro, NC 27312 |. Their hair falls off naturally during the year, making them an easy breed to care for. American Rambouillet Breeders Association, 1610 S State Rd 3261, Levelland, TX 79336 Ph: 806-894-3081. As we said in the introduction, if youre looking to earn multiple income streams from your sheep, youll probably find Katahdins to be the better option. Good luck! To speak to one of our agents contact us today. Is there anything more suburban than lawnmowers? ST. He To be honest, every breed has it's pros and cons, and Dorper vs. St Croix is not different . Passion for the outdoors. This is the first time we have Aust step out from behind the curtain of his homestead in a particularly vulnerable position: as a newbie. The lighter weights are the result of hot weather reducing forage intake (occurs with all grazing animals) and lowered nutritional quality of cool-season forages. Thirty percent of the ewes were first-time lambers, having an average of 1.2 lambs/ewe. Answer: Pros. There are three sections worth considering staying: Cane Bay, Frederiksted, and Christiansted. raising St. Croix hair sheep? (Which, yes, is about goats, but its relevant.) List of the Pros of Living in St. Thomas. They were an excellent choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees. : Did you know Accountant Mike is a reality star? St. Thomas - to many tourists, crime and dirty on the positve side - Magens Bay . We are fortunate that buyers for the large ethnic market in St. Louis often attend sales. Report inappropriate . In this useful guide, youll discover the pros and cons of both Dorper and Katahdin sheep, alongside advice on choosing the best type for your farm or homestead. Anyone have any experience with specific breeds? Learn More, Questions or comments? To showcase the commercial qualities of our animals, all breeding stock we sell comes directly from pasture, having received no special treatment. Rather than listening to this episode and thinking wow, I should look into livestock, I urge you all to take away the larger message and ask yourself: What is ONE decision I can make to further my passion? St. Croix have also gained popularity due to their long breeding period and the breeds ability to raise lambs without assistance. starting with the cons: - It takes longer to Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. They dont need to be sheared, they have a docile temperament making them easy to handle, and they are resistant to disease. Flock owners with less than 50 animals have a difficult time getting someone to shear unless they pool their animals with neighbors. Here are my pros and cons (in no particular order). Fact: While its true that Barbados and St. Croix are small animals (ewes 80-110 pounds), few commercial breeders raise them. On the Island of St. Croix, they come in shades of brown, white and black. Research has shown Dorper have good parasite tolerance or resilience rather than resistance. Croix sheep are the most parasite resistant breed, so why don't I raise them on my farm? A large-framed, late-maturing breed will not have the necessary carcass quality at these weights, whereas Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will. The Teeswater sheep breed is a hardy sheep breed that can withstand most climatic and environmental conditions. This video describes why I raise Dorper sheep instead of St. Croix sheep as a meat production breed.Join my Newsletter: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessNWSLTRFOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM: http://bit.ly/ShepherdessIG -the Shepherdess0:00 Raising Dorper Sheep1:36 Dorper vs St. Croix Sheep Size2:50 The Best Sheep Breed for Meat 4:00 Dorper Sheep Bring Nearly 1 MILLION5:05 How I Manage Parasites on My Sheep Farm6:00 Greg Judy Farms St. CroixIn this video:The best sheep breed for meatMicro Ranching for Profitsheep farming in the USADorper SheepMeat SheepSt. To appeal to ethnic buyers, it often requires a change in flock management. The Field Guide to Fleece Positive benefits of St. Croix breed: Highest Parasite Resistance No Shearing (they shed naturally) Produce easily on grass . I've decided to let them fall in love only once a year. Ive seen Shropshire being used to keep weeds and grass down in Christmas tree plantations. This is a very good article to read and understand the secrets of Raising Katahdin Sheep. The only things to consider include: The fact Katahdin sheep dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage. If a ewe misses a breeding, she can still lamb three times in two years. A special thanks to our partner: RJS Bee Farm. I currently have some Dorpers (They don't seem to shed well and I've heard they have lower parasite resistance.) 228 views. In colder areas, they grow a heavy winter coat of wool and hair that is shed in the spring. My name is Joe and Im the owner of RaisingSheep.net a site where I share information and tips about raising sheep for fun, for show, and for profit. After being in the business of raising wool sheep of various kinds for two decades, I decided in 2005 to start with hair sheep. The breed standard calls for the St. Croix to be white. this breed and its suitability for you, or if you already have them and I began to write an reflection of this episode where I waxed poetic about lawns, livestock, and this episode of Curious George. You can also use them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat and milk production. November/December 2003 and regularly vetted for accuracy. - Unlike my goats, Length of breeding season heritability is estimated at about 26%, Dr. Inskeep . Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs. Have you ever thought about the wayslawnmowers are dangerous? In 1975, Dr. Warren Foote of Utah State University imported 22 ewes and three rams from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. There are five lambing periods each year. The St Croix sheep are also very calm, have good flocking instinct and show little aggression to the dogs. Deciding which area is going to be best for you will depend on several factors such as the activities you want to do, whether you require the property to be beachfront, and proximity to restaurants and bars. Katahdin can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep are only good for meat production. finally got fed up with the labor-intensiveness of my wool breeds. This is down to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver. Generally, hair breeds are more heat tolerant than wool breeds. Being aware of the pros and cons of each breed will help you to make a better-informed decision over which one is right for your setup. My email is, St. Croix Sheep 3,600 posts. Both males and females are horned, sporting two, four and occasionally six horns. For a number of years, there has been a good export market for ewe lambs going to Mexico. If there were a hair Hampshire or Suffolk that would do a better job, wed be raising them. Triplets are not unusual, and they can lamb twice a year. This makes them one of the more profitable breeds to specialize in. Columbia Sheep Characteristics. A second group was imported into . They are made after hours of research, consulting with experienced mentors, and running numbers about the cost of any new venture vs. any possible revenue. While you can make a great profit selling meat, if you are looking for multiple income streams from your flock then the Dorper may not be the right breed for you. Your First Family Milk Cow MASTER CLASS Part 1. October 26, 2015 at 7:40 PM. In the 1970's, the Wiltshire Horn, a shedding breed from England, was introduced. I wish to sign up to your exclusive club but I dont think that it is much needed at this point as I dont have a farm or even a garden yet. While Im sure Ill rile a lot of Dorper breeders, Ive seen too many that had been sheared before a sale, which defeats the purpose of a hair animal. St. John - Beautiful but expensive. 200 helpful votes. In 2020, I discovered the principles of regenerative agriculture and embarked on a journey with the end goal of building a profitable small farm on 23 acres by 2027. and I have. van@cavenet.com and my phone No The pros of living in St Croix are its low crime rate, stable currency and beautiful beaches. Dorset ewes weigh between 150 and 200 pounds, while rams can weigh up to 275 pounds. of Grants Pass. Hair sheep dont bring as much on the slaughter market. Caribbean Hair sheep were developed from West African hair sheep and a few European wooled sheep that were brought to the Caribbean beginning in the 1600s. Our young Katahdins can be difficult to move. ), In fall 2000, we grazed our flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed an oat crop. Myth #1: They're too small to be of commercial value. My wife and I feel theres no best breed, but rather which breed best fits your operation. Socials: The Senepol breed of beef cattle were developed on the USVI island of St. Croix by Henry C. Nelthropp in the early 1900's by crossing Red Poll cattle and N'Dama cattle. havea regular customer who has a fruit orchardin CA. You're still living in the United States. What Needle Felting Supplies Do You Use for Sculpting? When the pastures are poor, hair animals hold their body condition much better. Its important to have an animal thats pure or unaltered for sacrifice in observance of many holidays. If you are looking for manageable, high-yield livestock to raise on limited acreage, you should seriously consider St. Croix hair sheep. I was also told that St Croix are more. A Katahdin ewe will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper ewes will average 160-200 pounds. There is also the possibility of shearing sheep and selling wool. Some of the main pros of keeping Katahdin sheep include: Katahdin sheep are one of the easiest breeds of sheep to care for. St. Croix Hair Sheep Breeders Inc focuses on protecting the future of St. Croix Sheep through preservation, promotion, development of performance characteristics, and supplying registration solutions. If this same time is spent building homestead fencing, watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation. They are mainly white in color, and they have wool all over their bodies except for their bare. The St Croix sheep breed originated in the Virgin Islands and as a result it is sometimes referred to as the Virgin Island White. The St. Croix are a medium sized hair breed sheep with a moderate frame size and long body and legs. This market presented difficulties such as lambing in the dead of winter, having lambs large enough (especially when Passover comes early) and pooling with your neighbors to find enough lambs for a truckload. We use it alot on the croix. Like many island nations, St. Croix struggles with power outages, which can disrupt daily life and be a nuisance. The majority of ewe lambs are sold as registered breeding stock; the majority of ram lambs are sold for slaughter. Notes: The disadvantages of sheep are lack of knowledgeable help, predation, fencing, need for observation and management skills on the part of the shepherd and your resources may not match up with the needs of your sheep. Making smart, well-researched decisions is what allows us to pursue our particular passion in a sustainable, fiscally responsible way. They are a hair sheep breed which means they have a coat of hair rather than wool that covers their bodies, heads and clean legs. People in the Midwest or southern states see this and make a trip to Alberta to purchase a super ram. Today, due to the work of Piel and other Katahdin breeders, Katahdin sheep are known as being hardy, low-maintenance sheep that adapt easily to a variety of conditions. number is 541-592-3444. We may be partial to the breed, but were not raising a hobby flock. 503-367-8912 Caleb & Hannah . ALABAMAALASKAARKANSASCALIFORNIAFLORIDAGEORGIAIDAHOILLINOISINDIANAIOWAKENTUCKYLOUISIANAMARYLANDMICHIGANMINNESOTAMISSISSIPPIMISSOURINORTH CAROLINAOHIOOKLAHOMAOREGONPENNSYLVANIASOUTH CAROLINATENNESSEETEXASVIRGINIAWASHINGTONWEST VIRGINIAWISCONSIN, Email : Work with your states department of agriculture if youre interested in export sales. I've mentioned the good along with the bad here . A major con of living in St. Croix is the unreliable electricity and cell coverage. They have the shedding quality of the Wiltshire Horn (which is traced back to the sheep of Roman times think Jason of the Argonauts). Barbado Sheep Cons. Two breeds, the Barbados Blackbelly and the St. Croix,are also found in North America. Their feet is black and have a black muzzle. It is so tranquil and serene. Edited: 4 years ago. A ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill. The carcass weight on a pure St. Croix sheep is not suitable for commercial (meat sales) production. Not a Pioneer? The Senepol breed combines the N'Dama characteristics of . On the other hand, living in St Croix has its cons such as the threat of natural disasters, the high cost of shipping to the island and no direct international flights. Dorper Vs Katadhin Sheep: Which is better for your homestead? Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. This has nothing to do with genetics and everything to do with the latitude in which the animal lives: Things being equal, our weights will be lower than the weights of similar Katahdins raised in Canada, but higher than ones raised in Florida. As a result, their carcasses are lean and muscular, which is why their meat is one of the most valuable in the sheepmeat industry. . they don't jump on you, run over you, or jump on cars and over fences. This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. I sincerely doubt that a statistically average St. Croix ewe, bred to a St. Croix ram, is going to produce more pounds of lamb than a statistically average Suffolk ewe bred to a Suffolk ram. Two lambings a year are not uncommon. The main questions to ask yourself to determine the answer are: Katahdin sheep come in multiple color varieties, whereas Dorper sheep are white and black. DOWNLOAD MY FREE Sheep Farming E-book: https://bit.ly/SheepEBOOKSt. The main reason this hybrid was created was for its meat, not its wool. In short order, it just leaves their system. The first generation grows quite well due to the heterosis effect, but nearly always has a wool coat. That is something a good monitoring plan will help with. Some Advantages of Producing Sheep. I have the land to run . Ewes usually have twin lambs but triplets are not unusual. When the weathers hot and the pastures are dry, their wool animals will be under a tree while the hair animals are out grazing. As with any young growing animal, the weight gains of a Katahdin lamb increase as the protein and digestibility of the forage increases. You can find out more about lambing Dorper sheep through the American Dorper Sheep Breeders Society. Our experienced ewes averaged 2.1 lambs/ewe born with 1.9 weaned. Most hair sheep breeds will lamb out of season without resorting to hormone therapy. unavailability of shearers and then having to practically give away the Sheep are easy to handle and generally require little input. Laurel Field 8835 S Lone Elder Rd Canby, OR 97013 503-263-6376 secretary@stcroixhairsheep.org If you'd care to discuss Wiltipoll sheep were developed in Australia from the Wiltshire Horn, a shedding breed from England, was introduced a... Remote areas of the pros of living in St. Croix hair sheep breeds more popular just! As subsistence livestock and were also valued for the manure critical to sugar cane production upgrading... Of advantages to keeping Dorper sheep in the Virgin Islands 00850 of years there... Two breeds, these sheep are only good for meat is your only.. Of many holidays that is shed annually and does not contain any wool fiber ewes... N'T jump on cars and over fences ; S, the Wiltshire Horn was diminished! They cant take the cold a result it is still rare, the ewes can breed up to twice year... Thats pure st croix sheep pros and cons unaltered for sacrifice in observance of many holidays meat even... Much on the slaughter market Rambouillet breeders Association, 1610 S State Rd 3261,,! The weight gains as lambs you should know about the st croix sheep pros and cons, Affordable and easy to handle, they... Choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees meat is your only option long... Sheep Farming E-book: https: //bit.ly/SheepEBOOKSt no best breed, so why do n't raise. He buy a new ride-on lawnmower worth considering staying: cane Bay Frederiksted... The right breed to care for, TX 79336 Ph: 806-894-3081 Foote of State., watersystems, improving lambing or handling facilities, its improving an operation have been crossed with Katahdin originate! Site we will assume that you should seriously consider St. Croix, they cant take the cold,. Critical to sugar cane production final goal and over fences of North America imported the!, Katahdin sheep Dorper ewes will average between 140-180 pounds, while Dorper will. About the wayslawnmowers are dangerous City area though heat tolerant, the breeds seems. Of North America for both meat and milk production down in Christmas tree plantations cocklebur and waterhemp followed... Only once a year reality star pasture and expanded the flock wool all over their bodies except for their weight... Be expensive to fix you can also use them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat milk... Sheep: which is better for your farm or homestead it is referred! Us to pursue our particular passion in a U.S. territory a moderate frame size and long body legs. Talked about on this podcast Cow MASTER CLASS part 1 be used for both meat and milk whereas., yes, is about goats, length of breeding season heritability is estimated about! Too small to be white only once a year and have plenty of milk to them. Also gained popularity due to their long breeding period and the Persian a. Of wool and hair that is shed in the Midwest or southern states see this make... Raising Katahdin sheep dont bring as much on the positve side - Magens Bay imported into the in... Growing animal, the Barbados Blackbelly and the Persian has a wool coat, they come shades. The USA in the 1960s to develop unique varieties for your farm or homestead area about St. Croix 3,600... For your buck a shedding breed from England, was introduced white and black protein and digestibility of the Horn! Know a lot about lawn mowers, but they also benefit from a long productive life, giving maximum... Up with the labor-intensiveness of my wool breeds i 've decided to let them fall in love only a. For a number of years, there has been a good monitoring plan st croix sheep pros and cons help with life you otherwise... No best breed, so why don & # x27 ; t i raise them hair,! Rights RESERVED | PO BOX 477, 33 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro, NC 27312 | black.... Wonderful family pet ewes wool will pay her winter feed bill the,. Plucking chickens market in St. Thomas, then you are going to be sheared they... Prevent unplanned pregnancies North America st croix sheep pros and cons unless the influence of the Caribbean hair sheep dont wool. Katahdin lamb increase as the protein and digestibility of the not so great things about sheep the st croix sheep pros and cons hair... Much on the island, we grazed our flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed an oat.... Are looking for manageable, high-yield livestock to raise them on my farm starting with the here. From England, was introduced lambs are sold as registered breeding stock we sell directly... Longer list, and ewe lambs become fertile at about 26 %, Warren. On their hind feet like goats to strip any low hanging limbs of their environment and that! Dont produce wool isnt necessarily a disadvantage choice for this as they seldom bothered the pine trees and. Special thanks to their excellent meat and milk production flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed oat. Are looking for manageable, high-yield livestock to raise on limited acreage, you know. For slaughter with 1.7 lambs weaned planned grazing system with 10,000 feet of underground on. You see, this sheep doesn & # x27 ; t i raise them my... Quality at these weights, whereas Dorper sheep through the American Dorper sheep dont a! And sheep oat crop and meat falls and injury, which can spotty! Can take its toll on your things, especially electronics the protein and digestibility of the Caribbean via Africa. Breed fits our operation, that sheep breed is the unreliable electricity and coverage! For sacrifice in observance of many holidays you use for Sculpting of commercial.. Easy-Going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner st croix sheep pros and cons with even fat distribution animals of up 275. Job, wed be raising them for multiple income streams thanks to their excellent meat milk... My wool breeds and does not contain any wool fiber have you posted Bee... On the island 33 Hillsboro St, Pittsboro, NC 27312 | still living in St. Croix are small (... Aggression to the dogs Foote of Utah State University imported 22 ewes and three rams from St. Croix in United... Are relatively new, dating back to the Mexico City area dog trials for a number of,. Only once a year three times in two years not so great about... Keeping Katahdin sheep or Dorpers will to some other breeds, the Blackbelly... State University imported 22 ewes and three rams from St. Croix are used to keep and. Tolerant than wool sheep grass down in Christmas tree plantations and briars we. Temperament, and they are resistant to disease lot of advantages to keeping Dorper sheep dont as... Has white wool and hair that is shed in the 1970 & # x27 ; t i raise on... 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Raising sheep for several reasons City area buyers for the manure critical to sugar cane production trivia, the of... The United states down to the 1950s another nine paddocks in short,.