Babydoll FAQ
Babydoll Southdown - Known as the “Teddy Bear” or “Smiling Sheep” for their fuzzy, grinning faces.
Small Stature - Miniatures are easier to handle than larger breeds and require less acreage, ideal for 4-H.
Sweet Dispositions - Inquisitive demeanor, often enjoy scratches and pets, individual personalities.
Naturally Polled / Hornless - Less likely to injure themselves, others, or to be caught in fencing. Safer for children.
Excellent Mothers - Often have unassisted births, multiples are common.
Prized Wool - Fine, medium staple length, colors of black, off-white, and gray, has a variety of uses.
Ideal Grazers - Can easily maintain lawns, pastures, vineyards, and orchards.
Adorable, loving breed
Babydolls are easy-keepers and require only grass or good quality hay and a sheep mineral for maintenance. We hand-feed grain as a little treat occasionally, but they do not get grain regularly other than during the last few weeks of pregnancy and during lactation.
Since they are a flock animal, they should always be kept with at least one other sheep at all times.
They should have loose mineral supplement specifically for sheep. That means it will not contain extra copper which can easily be toxic to sheep. If you keep other animals with your sheep, it is important that you keep their mineral supplement unavailable to the sheep. Also, grain can contain higher levels of copper, so check any grain your sheep may have access to.
To give a rough idea of frequency: Shearing: 1 time a year; Hoofs inspected/trimmed: 3 times a year; Dewormed: approx. 3 times/year based on your conditions; CD&T vaccination: yearly in adults. Consulting your veterinarian is always a good idea to determine what is appropriate for your area and your conditions.
