My venture into shepherding began in 2011 before I had even closed on my farm purchase. My small flock of NABSSAR-registered Babydoll Southdown sheep is a key component of the farm. They are smaller than many sheep breeds and have delightful personalities. Babydolls are considered a dual purpose breed, producing both flavorful meat and fine wool, but I was most keen on acquiring them due to their proven track record in the maintenance of orchards and vineyards. In 2013, I started to work with their wool – learning to spin on an Ashford Traditional spinning wheel. As I worked with their wool I became intrigued with using genetics to change some of the sheep’s wool while keeping the Babydoll portion true to type.
In the fall of 2015 I purchased a brown Finnsheep ram and bred him to just 2 of my Babydoll girls, Nina (white) and Tammy (black). Since then I have acquired 3 additional Finn rams and have started to breed my own rams. Check out the wool section for the differences in their fleeces.
7 Comments
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I am interested in purchasing 2 female purebred babydoll sheep this summer. I would prefer white or off white. Would you have any available and what would the cost be? Thank you in advance for your response.
Hello, Amy –
Thanks for your interest in my wooly ones. Right now I am not accepting additional orders for Babydoll ewes. There is a chance that I will have over 50% female lambs and in that case they would be available.I would be happy to put you in line for those, but don’t want to string you along if you have other options.
Let me know if I should put you on the list and include your phone number. Each Babydoll ewe lamb will be registered with NABSSAR and cost $600.
Sue
715-220-1183 (cell)
We just moved to a 4 acre former goat farm that is mostly Mississippi River bluff. We are not farmers but we want to give a home to a few sheep for ground maintenance this Spring. Females past breeding would be welcome too. Please let us know if you can help or pass on our info to another breeder. – Fountain City WI
Hello, Cassie, and thanks for your interest in my little flock.
Your setting sounds idyllic. Yes, sheep are good choice for vegetation management.
If you would be interested in some Babydoll x Finn crosses I can definitely help you out. New reservations of pure Babydoll ewes are on hold until I find out if I will get more than 50% girls. I will have an older black Babydoll ewe and a black 50/50 ewe for sale after weaning ($400 vs. 600 base price) If you are interested in 6 or more I can increase the quantity discount to 10%.
Have you assessed the predator level? Some sort of guardian animal protection is probably warranted. I know that in addition to the usual coyotes, there is an established wolf population somewhere between LaCrosse and Black River Falls.
Give me a call if you are interested in being put in reservation cue for Finn x Dolls and I can help you decide whose lambs or who might be best options.
715 – 229 – 1183 (cell)
I look forward to hearing from you!
Sue (Prairie Plum Farm)
I would like to be in line if possible for two babydoll lambs. A male and female combo or two ewes. I live in Sonoma, CA on a small 7 acres farm.
Thank you! Happy New Year.
Renee Capriola
707 815-2202
Hello, Renee –
Thanks for your interest in my little flock! Do you have a preference for color or amount of wool on the faces? I would recommend getting 2 ewe lambs first then a ram next year.
Also, do you plan to come pick them up (a pick-up or SUV would do if you don’t mind the smell)? The cost of third party transport would be multiple times the cost of the sheep. The distance is roughly 2000 miles and the cheapest I’ve been able to find for that length of a trip is $7000.
I’d love to help you become Babydoll owners if that works out for you. Let me know!
Sue
715.220.1183 cell