Contents
What is a Southdown Sheep?
Southdown sheep are dual-purpose and one of the oldest and most important breeds of British sheep. They come in two sizes: the larger one is known simply as Southdown sheep, and the smaller one is known as Babydoll Southdown.
Sheep Characteristics
Size
The sheep are small to medium in size.
The mature Babydoll sheep have a height of 18 to 24 inches (45.72 to 60.96 cm) at the withers and a body length of 10 to 15 inches (25.4 to 38.1 cm). The regular sheep have a height between 24 to 30 inches (60.96 to 76.2 cm) and a body length of 16 to 21 inches (40.64 to 53.34 cm).
Color
They have a medium grey or brown color, while the Babydoll version features white, off-white, and black coloring.
Skin
The skin of this sheep is pink, without any signs of blue or spots, and no wrinkles across the body.
Fleece
These sheep have a fine fleece that covers their entire body down to their hocks and knees. It also covers parts of their face and the top of their head. The fleece can have shades of light grey, or brown, without any darker spots.
Head, Ears, Face, Eyes
The head is wide and proportionate in size with the rest of the body.
The face is medium-sized with a moderate length from the eyes to the nose, especially in rams. The forehead and the nose are covered by hair, while the nostrils are dark compared to other sheep that have pink ones.
The ears are also of medium size and are covered by short wool, while the eyes are large, bright, and expressive.
Horns
They do not have horns. Any solid scurs or horns are not considered characteristic of a Southdown sheep and are counted as disqualifications when trying to register one.
Neck, Shoulders, Chest
The base of the neck is wide and well-situated on the shoulder. The shoulders are positioned at a moderate width, maintaining a consistent level with the back, while the chest has medium proportions without being overly wide.
Ribs, Back, Loin, and Rump
The ribs of these sheep are well-sprung, contributing to a robust and sturdy ribcage.
The back is long, firm, well-muscled, and smooth to the touch, with good depth and width in the loin area.
The loin area is also quite wide as the back, featuring a prominently developed loin eye. As for the rump, this is square-shaped, wide, and lacks a pointed appearance.
Legs and Hooves
The legs stand straight, one at each corner, with a slight covering of wool below the knees and black hooves.
Tail
The tail is wide and set up nicely, maintaining a level alignment with the chine.
Lifespan
Larger Southdown sheep live for 10 to 12 years. The miniature sheep type can have a lifespan of 10 to 16 years, which is longer than their larger counterparts.
Growth Rate
These sheep are a breed that farmers are very pleased with due to their growth rate. Let’s explore how quickly these sheep can reach weight and maturity.
How fast do these sheep grow?
They grow fast, reaching a great weight in 5 to 6 months.
They also achieve sexual maturity early, typically around 6 months of age, with ewes reaching it faster than the rams.
The Babydoll sheep, on the other hand, do not have the same growth rate. These small sheep take two years to reach maturity and achieve a good weight.
It’s important to note that both growth and sexual maturity are highly influenced by various factors, including management practices, nutrition, and genetics.
Weight
They weigh between 130 to 230 lbs (59 to 104 kg). The ewes weigh between 130 to 180 lbs (59 to 82 kg), while the rams weigh between 190 to 230 lbs (86 to 104 kg).
As for mature Babydoll Southdown sheep, they weigh between 60 to 120 lbs (27 to 54 kg).
Slaughtered age
These sheep can be butchered starting at 5 months when they typically weigh 75 to 97 lbs (34 to 44 kg).
This type of sheep typically provides a meat yield equivalent to approximately 50% of its live weight. Therefore, a sheep butchered at such a weight provides a finished carcass weight of 40 to 51 lbs (18 to 23 kg).
Shearing
This sheep breed needs to be sheared to maintain their health and welfare.
The frequency of shearing depends on the farmer’s aims and practices.
Most farmers choose to shear these sheep once a year, usually in the spring before the weather gets warmer and makes the sheep uncomfortable. Shearing at this time has the advantage of keeping the sheep warm during the colder months while ensuring they remain cool and comfortable during the summer.
If you are a farmer who also participates in different shows, you may choose to shear your sheep twice a year. However, when doing so, consider the climate you live in to ensure the sheep are not left too cold.
If you want to use their wool, it is recommended to shear them just once per year.
Temperament and Behaviour
Southdown sheep have a great temperament, making them a breed recommended for novice farmers.
These sheep are calm, docile, and affectionate towards people close to them, such as farmers and handlers. This good temperament makes them easy to handle and care for during tasks such as shearing, trimming, and deworming.
Their sociability extends beyond people to include other animals in the livestock. They are not shy and enjoy exploring their surroundings and playing with other animals.
In terms of specific behaviors, these sheep exhibit strong grazing behavior, often spending a large part of the day grazing on pasture or forage.
They also have specific flocking behavior and prefer to stay close to each other within their flock, respecting a hierarchy.
Overall, these sheep are an easygoing breed with a great temperament suitable for all types of farmers.
Usage
The main uses of the Southdown breed are for meat and wool.
Meat
They are known for their amazing carcass and meat. This sheep breed has won numerous times in different shows, particularly in the best carcass division.
Their meat is succulent, tender, and has a rich taste. Fat contributes to the meat’s flavor; without it, the meat would be dry.
Some of the most appreciated meat cuts by chefs include rib chops, shoulder chops, spare ribs, loin chops, as well as leg steak.
Wool
The wool is widely available commercially due to its great qualities. It typically has a creamy white color and is highly appreciated for its elasticity.
The wool has a fiber diameter of 24 – 29 microns and a staple length of 1.5-3 inches (4-6 cm).
The fleece of ewes weighs around 4.4 to 7.7 lbs (2 to 3.5 kg), while that of rams ranges between 7.7 to 12.1 lbs (3.5 to 5.5 kg).
It can be felted but is also suitable for those who prefer spinning for socks, hats, and other clothing items. It also has a good texture and low luster, making it easier to dye.
Skin
The skin is incredibly smooth, and some choose to use it for various purposes. Some of the most common uses of the skin are for rugs and carpets, clothing, and decorative items such as throws or blankets.
Raising
Feeding
You can feed them with high-quality pasture and forage, hay, minerals, and sometimes grains.
These sheep know how to graze, so as long as they have access to pasture with a mix of grasses, legumes, and plants, they will feed themselves.
Apart from grass, you can also supplement their diet with good-quality hay, such as grass or legume hay, especially in cold seasons or dry periods when fresh grass is limited. If you do not make your own hay, it is important to check the hay sources and ensure it is free from mold, dust, and weeds.
Depending on your farm practices, you can also raise these sheep by feeding them grain or concentrates. Some farmers choose to feed them these only during the last few weeks of pregnancy or during lactation. When introducing grains, you must remember to add them gradually to their diet to avoid digestive issues.
All feeding rations must be according to their age, activity level, season, and demands such as pregnancy and lambing.
Like any other sheep breed, they need minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, but also copper and selenium. For sodium, you can provide salt blocks in their area for them to lick.
Last but not least, they need access to a freshwater source at all times. Hydration is important for good digestion and overall health.
How many sheep per acre?
You can raise 6 to 8 sheep per acre.
The specific number of sheep per acre is significantly influenced by variables like the age of the sheep, the level of vegetation, and their condition, including whether there are numerous pregnant ewes or not.
With a robust and abundant vegetation cover, your pasture may sustain a higher stocking rate of 8 sheep per acre; however, if vegetation is sparse or of lower quality, it’s recommended to maintain around 6 sheep per acre.
Environment
The right environment is free pasture, where they can freely explore and be active to consume their high energy levels.
Enclosed environments such as barns are not healthy for them, as they love to graze and be outdoors. The only time it is recommended to keep them in a closed barn or shelter is during extremely cold weather.
Climate
You can raise them in mild climates with temperate temperatures, fertile soil, and good grass. They thrive in cold climates with harsh winter weather, although it can be slightly more challenging but not impossible to raise them in hotter climates.
Shelter
Southdown Sheep need shelter against harsh weather conditions. The shelter must have ample space to house the entire flock and offer protection from wind, rain, and snow. Moreover, it should ensure proper ventilation to prevent the accumulation of moisture.
They also need a good fence to keep predators away. The electric fence must be of the appropriate height for these sheep to prevent them from escaping as well.
Breeding
You can start breeding these sheep when the ewes are already 5-6 months old and rams at the age of 7 to 8 months.
Some farmers or homesteaders choose to wait until the ewes reach 1 year of age because more mature ewes tend to give birth to twins or even triplets.
Breeding is mostly done naturally by letting an ewe and ram mate together. They do not need any help from the farmer.
The ewes typically come into heat every 17 to 18 days during the breeding season, which typically occurs in the fall. Breeders can choose to breed their ewes once a year during this breeding season or implement a more intensive breeding program to achieve multiple lamb crops per year. Southdown is a terminal sheep breed and is also used in crossbreeding programs.
The gestation period, like most sheep breeds, is approximately 145 to 150 days, or roughly 5 months. During pregnancy, ewes require proper nutrition and management, as well as a clean and well-prepared area for lambing.
The ewes are great mothers with good milk production. They can take care of their lambs without any intervention from the farmers as long as they have the right space provided.
Health Issues
Even though it is a hardy sheep breed, they can be susceptible to common sheep health issues such as internal and external parasites, respiratory infections, and foot rot.
In addition to these, these sheep also have a particular trait that can lead to hepatogenous photosensitization, a condition in which the liver is unable to properly process certain compounds, resulting in the accumulation of photosensitive substances in the blood.
Furthermore, this breed requires extensive genetic testing for registration. Some of the genetic tests that sheep need to pass include those for ovine dwarfism, hereditary chondrodysplasia, scrapie, ectodermal dysplasia, and the callipyge gene.
Why should you raise them?
These sheep can be a good option for homesteaders and those looking to build a small business.
The initial investment price is not cheap, as the cost for a mature sheep ranges between $500 to $700. The price for a Southdown lamb is around $300, which is slightly lower than that of a fully mature one.
For homesteaders, acquiring a sheep from this breed provides an animal that can yield a good amount of meat and wool without requiring extensive care, as they are not high-maintenance animals.
For those considering a business venture, a significant budget is needed to start. In addition to the initial investment, each new lamb must be registered with a Southdown association. To qualify for registration, specific tests must be conducted.
Income can be generated from selling meat, new lambs, as well as ewes and rams for crossbreeding programs. Southdown sheep are usually used in these programs due to their ability to produce meaty lamb carcasses at light weights.
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| They produce high-quality meat with great tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. | They are not as adaptable to close management systems or various climates. |
| They have good mothering skills. | Their initial cost is high. |
| They have high fertility rates, often producing multiple lambs per lambing | They have a limited market compared to other commercial breeds such as Suffolk, Chevior, or Dorper. |
| They are easy to care for. | They need genetic tests when registered. |
| They have a docile temperament. | |
| They produce high-quality wool | |
| They are hardy animals. |
History and Origins
The history of this sheep breed is short.
The Southdown breed originated from robust, white sheep raised by farmers in Sussex, England, during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
From 1824 to 1829, Southdown sheep were imported into Pennsylvania from John Ellman’s English flock, according to documents. These initial imports were followed by additional ones from Jonas Webb’s flock, reaching New York and Illinois. Both Ellman and Webb are considered key figures in standardizing and enhancing the breed.
Many of the early registered sheep were imported from England.
The American Southdown Breeders Association was established in 1882. Initially, Southdown sheep were highly popular for their meat.
They enjoyed popularity until 1908 when 367 flocks with 110,000 ewes were registered.
However, after 1908, farmers became interested in larger sheep, leading to a decline in the Southdown breed’s popularity and even pushing it towards extinction as they couldn’t satisfy the demand for larger meat cuts.
This shift played a significant role in the development of the larger, taller Southdown sheep seen today. This deviation from the original breed standards marked the development of two distinct types: the regular Southdown and the smaller, original Southdown, also known as Babydoll Southdown.
In 1986, Robert Mock started the search for the authentic bloodlines of the original 1700s Southdown breed. After an extensive four-year search, 350 miniature sheep carrying original Southdown registration papers were discovered. Mock named them “Olde English Babydoll Southdowns” and established a registry to differentiate them from modern Southdowns.
