Author Topic: Miniature South Downs - "Babaydolls" (Read 4768 times)

JamesTrethowan · « **on:** August 06, 2013, 11:51:53 am »

I am looking for a breeder local (ish) to Cornwall of Miniature South Downs or Babydoll sheep.

Can anyone help?

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2013, 12:20:57 pm »

See the Society website - southdownsheepsociety.co.uk - for information on this so-called "breed" which is not recognised in the UK. Breeders in the US have in and in bred the "tiddlers" to give what they refer to as the Babydoll Southdown. We have 3 Southdown ewe lambs booked into the Society sale at Worcester Livestock Market on 7th September. These will, however, reach full Southdown size. If you want a docile, easy to handle sheep with short legs and superb wool and meat then get a Southdown. If you want a tiny sheep how about a Soay or Ouessant?

ZaktheLad · « **Reply #2 on:** August 06, 2013, 12:54:08 pm »

I really wish this phase of creating miniature animals in every breed would stop. Teacup Yorkies, miniature pigs -t he list goes on unfortunately. However, I did notice this ad on Farmings Ads the other day which might be of interest - www.babydollsouthdownsheep.co.uk. Like the so called miniature pigs do make sure that you are actually getting what you are paying over the odds for though, and in the case of these babydoll Southdowns, do not just end up with one that is just normal breed standard

lachlanandmarcus · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2013, 01:20:24 pm »

If I wanted a miniature pig I would buy a guinea pig :-DDD

If I wanted a miniature sheep I would get ouessants i think, as they are longstanding stable breed.

But hope you find what you want OP.

kanisha · « **Reply #4 on:** August 06, 2013, 01:52:49 pm »

I confirm the Ouessant is not a miniaturised breed but a hardy native of the north west coast of Brittany. as with many primitive breeds of sheep they are small and relatively fine compared to many more commercial breeds. Originally bred as a dual purpose breed for both meat ( pré salé meat was and is highly sought after) and wool mainly their characteristic fading black fleeces.

mmu · « **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2013, 02:18:30 pm »

Quote from: Marches Farmer on August 06, 2013, 12:20:57 pm

See the Society website - southdownsheepsociety.co.uk - for information on this so-called "breed" which is not recognised in the UK. Breeders in the US have in and in bred the "tiddlers" to give what they refer to as the Babydoll Southdown. We have 3 Southdown ewe lambs booked into the Society sale at Worcester Livestock Market on 7th September. These will, however, reach full Southdown size. If you want a docile, easy to handle sheep with short legs and superb wool and meat then get a Southdown. If you want a tiny sheep how about a Soay or Ouessant?

What breeding are your Southdowns?

mmu · « **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2013, 02:19:37 pm »

Quote from: kanisha on August 06, 2013, 01:52:49 pm

I confirm the Ouessant is not a miniaturised breed but a hardy native of the north west coast of Brittany. as with many primitive breeds of sheep they are small and relatively fine compared to many more commercial breeds. Originally bred as a dual purpose breed for both meat ( près salé meat was and is highly sought after) and wool mainly their characteristic fading black fleeces.

They sound really nice!

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2013, 03:37:28 pm »

All our ewes have been home-bred for many years. We change rams every two years and have always aimed to bring in as many unrelated lines as possible. Our earlier rams had a lot of Moulton and East Dean blood so we've steered away from them in recent years. Our last ram was a Brooklyn and the present one is a Buckland. .

kanisha · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2013, 04:05:03 pm »

You could always try contacting Mathew Mccann the secretary of the Ouessant sheep society I believe there are a number of Ouessant sheep breeders in the cornwall region.