Shetland Sheep are
a British breed thought to have been brought to the Shetland
Islands of Scotland by Vikings over a thousand years ago.
For years they evolved in isolation in the harsh habitat of
these islands. Because of this natural selection, they are
a more diverse breed in appearance and traits. Many of their
primitive characteristics, such as their small size, long
life, easy lambing, and strong maternal instincts are still
evident in the breed today.
Purebred Shetland Sheep are small and
fine boned with most rams weighing about 125 lbs and ewes about
100 lbs. The ewes are usually hornless, and the rams have beautiful
spiral horns. They are born with short, fluke shaped tails that
do not require docking. Shetlands tend to breed late in the
fall. First time mothers usually produce a single lamb but twins
are common in adult ewes. Their size as well as their calm and
friendly nature makes them easy to manage. They are very personable
and often wag their tails when scratched.
We began raising Shetlands in 2001. Our breeding program
strives to find a balance between conservation and improvements
while maintaining the primitive characteristics and genetic variations
of the breed. Selecting for physical soundness and
quality wool.
Most of the original Shetlands in North America
were imported into Canada in the early 1980’s. After
five years in quarantine, offspring were brought into the
United States. Regulations now prohibit the importation of
any more Shetlands. The USDA has granted a temporary permit
to import semen from Britain. This is the only way available
to broaden the genetic base of the breed here in North America.
We are proud that we took advantage
of this wonderful opportunity in the fall of 2005 and plan
to do so again in 2008.
Click here to
see more about our AI bred ewes!
The health of our flock is very important to us. We vaccinate
each year in the spring with CD/T. We worm twice each year
and rotate wormers every year. Any sheep that we take out
of the flock to show are quarantined for two weeks when they
return. We are enrolled in the Scrapie Certification
Program #MN58.
Please contact us if
you are interested in more information about our Shetland
Sheep. We can provide photos, pedigrees and fleece samples.
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