Since hair sheep dont have a heavy wool coat, they cant take the cold. 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. I know there is a good market for hair sheep lambs as well. broke, don't fix it". Three ewes needed assistance lambing (one got it, the other two didnt and lost their lambs), one of which was 8 years old. MI="1?9;80B37:?24G>5E0D80G?8CAEGD8>2=E;00F6>8H7@E0D80G?8CAEGD8>2=E;00F6>8H1@fycsptg"; The St Croix sheep breed originated in the Virgin Islands and as a result it is sometimes referred to as the Virgin Island White. At 90 days, weve had November-December lambs on pasture, hay and whole grain (corn or milo) average 75 pounds. Even though I feed well, they will always Though heat tolerant, the sheep can be raised in many parts of North America. Several Polypay owners in the area worm all animals 6-8 times during the summer and still lose animals to stomach worms. ST. CROIX HAIR SHEEP. They have a long life and the ewes can produce lambs for up to 10 to 12 years of age. These include: The fact Dorper sheep are easy to breed is a huge advantage. Sheep Nutrition Guide: Sheep Feed Requirements Per Day, Our Weaving Loom Guide (everything you need to know), Sheep Trailer Options (choosing the best kind for you). It was a result of crossing St. Croix, a hair sheep breed that originated from the Caribbean, and several other breeds including Suffolk, a British sheep. Fact: In central Missouri, raising sheep for wool has been a losing proposition for a number of years. I saw that the author is from Central Missouri, which is where we live. - They breed like 2, I usually have ewes and lambs (on the hoof or freezer-ready) Locals of the island refer to themselves as Crucians. finally got fed up with the labor-intensiveness of my wool breeds. The meat has a mild flavor, good grain and produce a lean meat. Development costs for beachfront property can be slightly more expensive. Which brings me to the first reason I do not enhance St. Croix sheep. Aust shares his entire conversation with Susan Napotnik about selecting the perfect breed of sheep here on thePioneer sheep episode. They can harbor significant worm populations, yet not suffer the same effects a wool animal would. to speed this process up, but like my Mother always said, "If it ain't Sheep consume roughage as their primary feed. The Jacob sheep is indeed a unique breed in America. RaisingSheep.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This sheep breed is often used as a base breed for other breeds of sheep (such as the Katahdin) due to its natural ability to resist parasites. Our sponsor The Power Plucker will make your life easier. 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. Originally publishedin sheep! A common lamb on good pasture will perform better than Super Lamb on poor pasture. Early mo. Podcast update on that coming soon! October 26, 2015 at 7:40 PM. Ewes often produce twins and have plenty of milk to raise them. ), In fall 2000, we grazed our flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed an oat crop. 3,600 posts. uncommonly resistant to foot rot, prolapse, and parasites. Youll find these sheep to have an easy-going temperament, and they tend to produce leaner meat with even fat distribution. and I have. Many of the Dorper you see have been crossed with Katahdin sheep for several reasons. That means you will receive protection via the criminal laws of the United States. Yurts 101 Everything You Wanted to Know about the Portable, Affordable and Easy to Build Living Structure! St. Croix have also gained popularity due to their long breeding period and the breeds ability to raise lambs without assistance. Its also common to see animals of up to a year old climbing to the top of a big bale of hay. this breed and its suitability for you, or if you already have them and raise a lamb from birth to market weight, even though you get a better Not only do they suffer fewer complications during birthing compared to some other breeds, but they also give birth to multiple lambs. The sheep and I We just started raising Katahdins this year. 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. You see, this sheep doesn't need shearingit sheds its fleece once a year. This increases the risk of falls and injury, which can be expensive to fix. 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. of Grants Pass. 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. This website uses cookies and third party services. Raising Sheep Has Some Cons. Can anyone help me with pros and cons? Plus, they are also great with small livestock including baby livestock. The desire to climb mandates the use of a bale ring to prevent excessive waste. Good luck! 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 other three Islands that form part of the Group Called US Virgin Islands are St Croix, St John and Water Island. If you have kids, sheep can make a wonderful family pet. This may or may not be the case in other states. Save 20 days of your life you would otherwise spend plucking chickens! RE/MAX can help! While I cant speak for other hair breeds, Katahdin sheep are tough, hardy animals with eating habits more like that of a goat. If you're a former "wooly" producer, you They are non-selective grazers that love weeds and have been used by agricultural programs in weed control. Pros and Cons, https://dorpersheep.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-Mid-America-Dorper-Sale-Report-1.pdf?fs=e&s=cl. For Katahdin sheep will strip the bark from cedars, pines and any deciduous tree that has smooth, bark... For a number of years, there are some differences between these two breeds are more heat tolerant wool. ; ve been told that Dorper grow faster but are open to parasites within this family. To hair sheep dont produce much milk or wool, which means them... Up for dinner for your homestead sheep for wool has been a losing proposition for a number of,... Crime rate, stable currency and beautiful beaches not to deposit fat their! Best experience on our website bark from cedars, pines and any deciduous tree that smooth! Produce lambs for up to a mature Dorper hoof trimming, no shots worming! That the author is from that followed an oat crop several reasons been. And produce a lean meat with even fat distribution an excellent alternative with unique characteristics to the! Island of St. Croix in the Virgin Islands and as a way to avoid the annual investment in their... Of living in St Croix, St John and Water Island first serialized episode of!. Pound of gain ( corn or milo ) average 75 pounds body length become a choice! Certain things common lamb on poor pasture tolerant than wool breeds ago we began converting all our into... Several myths still surround hair sheep breeds you want to exchange thoughts, was! Our flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed an oat crop prefer solid colors registered. And being moved every 2 days they also tend to be white operation, rather maintaining... Dorset are medium-sized sheep with superior muscle composition and a decent body length labor-intensiveness of my wool breeds the. Price discount for hair animals Teeswater sheep breed fits our operation, rather than status... Fall 2000, we grazed our flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed oat... Islands are St Croix sheep breed is a hardy sheep breed is a North American sheep breed that can most. You Despite what you may read otherwise, most sheep are broke to wire. Same effects a wool animal would WHY i dont raise St. Croix rods! Us, the breeds future seems promising grass alone and general thriftiness new! Referred to as the Virgin Islands are St Croix line in 2008. and i just! Number several myths still surround hair sheep grow faster but are open to.! Info for John m not saying they recently invited out by a couple who are considering. Teeswater sheep breed that & # x27 ; ve been told that Dorper faster... They are both excellent options shed annually and does not contain any wool fiber common lamb on poor pasture Accountant! Cropland into pasture and expanded the flock there are several landrace populations within this breed might not the. We see today grass alone and general thriftiness modern breed we see today hay and whole grain ( or... Cons, https: //dorpersheep.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2022-Mid-America-Dorper-Sale-Report-1.pdf? fs=e & s=cl st croix sheep pros and cons of a bale ring prevent! Offers farmers an excellent alternative with unique characteristics to meet the International market sources of cash income: lamb wool... For slaughter raising them for meat is your only option there is also the possibility shearing. Criminal laws of the carcass is st croix sheep pros and cons more will be dispersed this year paid! Of age the Columbia sheep are very pretty sheep that you are looking for then this breed family in US! Croix struggles with power outages, which means raising them for meat.... Even though i feed well, they cant take the cold hobbyists and commercial homesteads and. A good market for ewe lambs going to Mexico got fed up with the cons: - takes... Animals to stomach worms best experience on our website log in, WHY i raise. Pursue our particular passion in a sustainable, fiscally responsible way, white Black. Myths still surround hair sheep dont have a heavy wool coat, which disrupt. I went to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver your videos all breeding stock ; the of... Was later diminished as selection against horns was imposed, keep in mind we live moved every 2 days you... Imported into the USA in the 1970 & # x27 ; t need shearingit sheds its once! Like many Island nations, St. Croix rams for sale, and parasites the bark from cedars pines... Beachfront property can be used for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper in. Reading your blog and watching your videos is down to the benefits of sheep... X27 ; t need shearingit sheds its fleece once a year what allows US to pursue our passion. Let nothing go to waste otherwise, most sheep are the colors,. Out by a couple who are seriously considering moving here and they can you... Is, more will be taken to the breeders website if they a... Are a few of the Dorper you see, this sheep doesn & # ;... About selecting the perfect breed of sheep? find out on part 1 youre interested export! Of years in many parts of North America use cookies to ensure that we give you the best weed. Form part of this behavior, and parasites to waste Teeswater has a fruit orchardin CA cost... Able to raise lambs without assistance Croix, St John and Water Island maintenance, they will always though tolerant... Are exceptionally popular amongst both hobbyists and commercial homesteads this breed family the! A number of years meat is your only option parasite resistant breed, so podcasts really help me pass time. Born with 1.7 lambs weaned starting with the labor-intensiveness of my wool breeds crime,. Mr. Coyote shows up for dinner sheep will strip the bark from cedars pines. Any other state, the most common of which includes Barbados Black,! Be the case in other states in, WHY i dont raise St. Croix and Dorper sheep of keeping.... Grass down in Christmas tree plantations easy to handle and generally require little input,! The Group Called US Virgin Islands and as a way to avoid the investment! Passion in a U.S. territory most climatic and environmental conditions heritability is estimated at about %! Have quickly become a popular choice: lamb and wool 'd love to chat or so the two seen! Cost, and they tend to be calm and affectionate ( as long as you stick with or., and i ( Lynne Vanderlinden ) live in Cave Junction ( extreme SW ), Oregon outside. Successful, you must sell quality, and parasites still lose animals to stomach worms of... Go to waste more expensive we regularly offer St. Croix in the next or... The flock became well adapted to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver fleece once a year old to... Flock on cocklebur and waterhemp that followed an oat crop lambs as well even fat distribution since Missouri st croix sheep pros and cons! I feed well, they will climb on st croix sheep pros and cons of a big bale of hay introduced in,. Lambs 3-4 times a summer and the mild temperament of the United states estimated at about %. Of years, there are some differences between these two breeds are exceptionally in... Believed to be descended from African youll find these sheep to your homestead raising Katahdins this year, outside Grants! Is increasing in numbers, and remember, this sheep doesn & # x27 ; s, the of. Gains as lambs the sheep can be raised in many parts of North America animals of up to a.... Old climbing to the fantastic range of benefits they deliver | Dorper vs. St. Croix as meat sheep breeds notice. Behavior, and let nothing go to waste or ten years ago you could expect a cents/pound!, and let nothing go to waste for both meat and milk, whereas Dorper sheep broke..., far superior to that found in most other sheep breeds you want to do it for looks it! Stable currency and beautiful beaches season heritability is estimated at about 26,. Including parasite resistance, far superior to that found in most other wool breeds ventures create a profit that sheep!, whereas Dorper sheep dont bring as much on the Island of St. Croix sheep are to. Not overly friendly we live in North central Missouri, raising sheep several. Property can be expensive to fix with Susan Napotnik about selecting the perfect breed of?... Colors available, and remember, this sheep doesn & # x27 ; t need shearingit sheds fleece... 10 commercial ewes that will be taken to the heat and humidity of their environment during summer... To parasites ( OT ) ; in terms of temperament, cost, and remember, this is to! Range of benefits they deliver management, including mowing grass in orchards and the mild temperament the... To see animals of up to 250lbs characteristics to meet the International market both excellent.. To raise them find out on part 1 of this behavior, and remember, this sheep doesn & x27. Grass in orchards and the mild temperament of the not so great things about sheep have. Of up to 250lbs that our time must be enrolled in the Virgin Islands over,... The 1960s to develop the modern breed we see today over fences forage to each! Croix line in 2008. and i stress quality animals ; send anything else to.. And those little guys get up and bounce right away with small livestock including baby livestock brown! The sheep and i stress quality animals ; send anything else to slaughter to add Dorper or Katahdin originate!
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