St. Croix sheep may not be a widely recognized breed in the sheep farming world, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a valuable addition to medium or small farms. Despite their lesser-known status compared to more popular breeds, these sheep possess a range of qualities that make them an excellent choice for farmers seeking high-quality sheep with minimal input.
Let’s explore the unique characteristics, purpose, and care requirements of this sheep breed, offering insight into how to raise them effectively and get the most from this hardy breed.
Contents
What are St. Croix Sheep?
St. Croix sheep, also known as the Virgin Island White breed, are domestic sheep found in North America, belonging to the Caribbean Hair sheep family.
Characteristics
These sheep possess distinctive characteristics easily recognizable even by those new to the world of sheep.
Size
They have a small to medium size.
Individual sizes may vary based on factors such as genetics, diet, and environmental conditions.
Color
These sheep have a white color, although some may also display brown, solid tan, black, or a combination of white with brown and black spots.
Some St. Croix sheep associations, such as the St. Croix Sheep International Association, only accept registration for white St. Croix sheep. They consider other colors or spots as disqualifying traits.
Fleece
They do not have wool. Their bodies are covered in a hairy coat that thickens during the cold season and sheds in the warmer months.
Head, Face, Nose, Eyes
The heads of these sheep are of medium size, often described as very attractive in profile.
Males typically have a Roman nose, where the bridge of the nose protrudes outward, giving a curved profile.
Their faces are relatively small and less expressive compared to other sheep. The eyes are large, clear, and can have various colors.
Ears
The ears are proportionate to the head, being of medium size. They have a fine texture, neither turned upward nor drooping, which gives an alert appearance.
Horns
These sheep do not have horns. Ewes and rams may sometimes have scurs, but they never have horns as they are naturally polled.
Body
Their physique consists of a lengthy, well-muscled body accompanied by a straight, elongated neck that maintains an upright head position. Their carcass has a moderate frame, contributing to an overall robust appearance.
Back
The back extends in a lengthy manner towards the point of the hip, where the croup forms a relatively acute angle with the tail head.
Legs
The front legs are aligned in a straight manner, with the feet placed squarely under the body. The back legs are also straight, sturdy, and positioned apart from each other.
Udder, Scrotum
The ewes have a well-formed, uniform udder with two functional teasts. The rams have two large and well-developed testicles.
Lifespan
They can live up to 12 years, which is a similar lifespan to that of Shetland and Southdown sheep.
Growth Rate
How fast do they grow?
The growth rate ranges from 1.5 to 2 years, influenced by factors such as diet and management practices.
They are not the fastest-growing hair sheep breed, being surpassed by Katahdin, but they are also not the slowest, being faster than Barbados Blackbelly.
In terms of sexual maturity, both rams and ewes typically reach sexual maturity at 6-7 months.
Weight
A fully mature sheep typically weighs between 120 to 170 lbs (54 to 77 kg). The weight of ewes is generally less than that of rams.
A lamb weighs between 6 to 7 lbs (2.7 – 3.1 kg) at birth. According to studies, a St. Croix lamb can gain weight at a rate of 75 g per day when fed only with fresh grass, 86 g per day when fed with hay, alfalfa, and corn and soybean supplements, and more than 200 g per day when fed only concentrates.
Slaughtered age
They are ready for butchering at 2 years old when they are also nearing their full weight. If they reach their almost full weight sooner, then it is also acceptable to slaughter them earlier.
From a mature sheep weighing 170 lbs (77 kg), you might expect a yield of around 30-40% of the live weight, depending on the processing method and the specific cuts desired. This means you could potentially get between 51 to 68 lbs (23 to 30 kg) of meat from a St. Croix sheep weighing 170 lbs (77 kg).
Shearing
These sheep do not need shearing. They naturally shed their thicker winter coat during hotter times without help. If you want to make their shedding process easier, you can comb them to help them escape from the thicker coat more quickly.
Temperament and Behaviour
These sheep are good animals with a calm and docile temperament. They do not have wild tendencies, making them a good breed for those who do not know how to handle sheep in general.
This sheep breed is peaceful and easy to work with without requiring too much effort to handle it around the farm or homestead.
These sheep are great grazers and tend to forage as long as they can during the day, especially if they have access to lush vegetation. This natural behavior gives them independence as they can feed themselves.
The flock instinct is very strong, helping them protect themselves. Their natural alertness allows them to detect potential threats and respond quickly in case of danger.
They have a high energy level, making them very active, energetic, and curious to explore their entire environment.
These sheep are also characterized by their docility and easygoing nature.
Usage
The sheep are mainly used for meat production. Some farmers choose them for milk production as well as for crossbreeding programs. Let’s explore each purpose further.
Meat
The meat is tender and lean, with a small bone-to-fat ratio. Due to the low-fat content, the meat is very healthy as it is low in cholesterol.
The flavor of the meat is mild but still flavorful and juicy. It is a good choice for those who are not typically fans of sheep meat.
The majority of farmers enjoy the meat of this sheep in individual cuts, as well as incorporating it into homemade products such as sausages.
Milk
In addition to meat production, this breed is also valued for its ability to produce up to 101 oz (3 liters) of milk per day.
The process of milking is not that different from other sheep. You first need to train the sheep to be comfortable around humans and then create a specific routine. When milking, it’s important to ensure the udder is well cleaned, stimulate milk letdown, and gently extract the milk from the udder.
Some farmers prefer to milk by hand, but using a milking machine is also an option, especially when managing a larger flock.
Milking can be done once or twice per day, depending on the farmer’s schedule.
The milk can be used for various homemade dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt.
Raising
Raising them is a simple and hassle-free process. These animals can make a great addition to any farm without adding complexity or extra tasks.
Feeding
The feeding depends on the management practices of the farm or homesteaders, as well as the goals of the farmer.
You can feed these sheep with fresh grass, high-quality hay, as well as grains.
St. Croix sheep are excellent grazers and they love to eat fresh grass, but also all kinds of plants. That’s why some farmers also use them for rotational grazing. Therefore, yes, it is possible to raise them on grass feed and supplement their diet in the cold season with hay like alfalfa or clover.
If the aim is to increase their weight in a shorter amount of time, you can also give them grains like corn, oats, barley, soybeans, and peanuts. You can also buy mixtures for your sheep, but you need to be careful that it’s specifically dedicated to sheep and goats. Feeding them mixtures intended for other animals like swine or poultry can make your sheep sick, as these foods have high amounts of copper, which is toxic for sheep.
You also have to provide them with a freshwater source and mineral blocks.
Overall, their diet is pretty simple, but you need to consider what your goals are.
How many sheep per acre?
You can typically raise 5 to 10 sheep per acre, depending on factors such as pasture quality, management practices, climate, and soil conditions.
Good-quality pasture can support more animals. Additionally, if you supplement their feeding, you can support more sheep per acre.
Environment
Unlike other breeds like Jacob sheep or Hebridean sheep, this sheep breed can live in both confined and free-range pasture environments.
Climate
These hairy sheep are capable of withstanding both heat and cold, showing excellent performance in diverse environmental conditions.
Shelter
You do not necessarily need shelter for them as they have good wool that can keep them warm during colder seasons. They tend to seek shelter under trees, bushes, etc.
But, if you raise them in an open field, then you should provide them with minimal shelter.
This can be helpful, especially in colder or extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow, rain, or wind. By doing this, you can better maintain their health because they will stay dry and warm.
Breeding
The breeding process takes place naturally by allowing the ewes and rams to mate.
These sheep are very easy to breed as they do not need human intervention. The only thing farmers need to do is select the exact ewe and rams they want to breed.
Selection can be based on diverse criteria such as physical characteristics, age, growth, health, and others. After all sheep are selected, the ewes are placed in the same area as the rams.
It is recommended to leave them together for 35 to 40 days to allow the rams not just one, but two opportunities to mate with the ewes.
Breeding can begin at 10 to 12 months of age.
They become sexually mature much faster, but it is advisable to wait a bit longer to ensure the ewe’s bodies are fully prepared for pregnancy.
They are prolific and breed throughout the year, unlike other sheep breeds that only breed seasonally.
Twin pregnancies are very common in these sheep, especially in the first one.
Ewes are great mothers and can handle the lambs on their own. Also, during birth, they often do not need assistance. Their milk supply is excellent and is enough to feed their lambs for as long as they need.
Why should you raise them?
This breed is good for people who have a small farm or just want a fun hobby.
From a business standpoint, it’s not a good idea because you won’t make much money raising them. Why? First, their carcass isn’t big or top quality, so it’s not great for selling. Second, not many people know about these sheep, so it’s hard to find buyers.
But if you’re just doing it for fun on your homestead, they’re a good choice. One or two sheep don’t need a lot of space, they’re tough and easy to take care of. If you’re okay with not getting a lot of meat, then these sheep are great for you.
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| They are easy to handle due to their good temperament. | They have small carcasses, therefore yielding less meat. |
| They are resistant to parasites and do not need deworming treatments. | They are not well-known, leading to limited market opportunities. |
| They are highly adaptable to all climates. | They are not ideal for intensive meat production operations. |
| They have great mothering skills. | |
| They often have twin pregnancies. | |
| They are prolific. | |
| They can be bred all year round. |
Origins
These sheep originate from the US and British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, where they developed from African hair sheep brought to the region by early colonists. Over centuries, this breed continued to evolve in the Caribbean, adapting to high temperatures and resisting parasites.
In the 1960s, Michael Piel, a resident of Maine, aimed to further develop Katahdin sheep and thus imported a ram and two ewes from the Virgin Islands.
Later, in 1975, Dr. Warren Foote of Utah State University directly imported 22 ewes and three rams from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. Dr. Foote had specific selection criteria, including color, uniformity of structure, body size, and the absence of horns in both genders, which he followed when choosing the imported sheep.
This significant importation of sheep marked the beginning of a breeding program that led to the establishment of the St. Croix breed, which became highly popular and standardized in the United States.
