Internal parasites ("worms") are often a huge problem to sheep and goats. After battling these parasites (and consequent weight loss and sometimes death) in our goats and wool sheep, we went in search of heritage breeds that are PARASITE-RESISTANT. The St. Croix SHEEP we have now are from a flock that has NOT BEEN WORMED IN OVER 20 YEARS! They have demonstrated a terrific HARDINESS and strong DESIRE TO LIVE (see the examples below). |
| All photos on this website are property of Five Ponds Farm; use and duplication by permission only. |
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A handsome and gentle adult
ram (above) and a ewe getting
some lovins (below)
ram (above) and a ewe getting
some lovins (below)
| St. Croix SHEEP shed their winter coats in the Spring and do not need shearing. They are an endangered breed, listed with the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy as "threatened." |
| CLICK on the following link to: e-mail us about ST. CROIX Sheep FREE DAY LILY with livestock purchase from Five Ponds Farm |
Miracle was born our coldest night of 2009, when
it was 0 degrees. We found her the next morning,
having been dragged under the fence and pulled
200 feet by the stock dog to our front yard. Her
brother we found frozen in the pasture.
Miracle was soon reunited with her mother in the
barn, and not only did she survive, but was soon
bouncing around and jumping up on things. She
had funny droopy ears and we thought she must
be part goat. Weeks later the ear tips fell off as
did the bottom half of her tail, victims of frostbite.
At under 16 months of age Miracle presented to
us her first lambs, robust twin rams.
it was 0 degrees. We found her the next morning,
having been dragged under the fence and pulled
200 feet by the stock dog to our front yard. Her
brother we found frozen in the pasture.
Miracle was soon reunited with her mother in the
barn, and not only did she survive, but was soon
bouncing around and jumping up on things. She
had funny droopy ears and we thought she must
be part goat. Weeks later the ear tips fell off as
did the bottom half of her tail, victims of frostbite.
At under 16 months of age Miracle presented to
us her first lambs, robust twin rams.
| HARDINESS and strong DESIRE TO LIVE: |
Creampuff endured a 5-hour ride in an open,
bouncy, windy trailer on a nippy November day to
come to her new home with us. We put up a wind
block in the trailer, but in her nervousness she
chose to stand up the entire way, the icy wind
blowing right at her.
When we got home we let her out of the trailer in
the dark. We were concerned that she might get a
cold or other illness. But she didn't skip a beat
and a few months later gave us the hefty ram lamb
pictured with her.
bouncy, windy trailer on a nippy November day to
come to her new home with us. We put up a wind
block in the trailer, but in her nervousness she
chose to stand up the entire way, the icy wind
blowing right at her.
When we got home we let her out of the trailer in
the dark. We were concerned that she might get a
cold or other illness. But she didn't skip a beat
and a few months later gave us the hefty ram lamb
pictured with her.
April was supposed to remain separated
from the boys until the following year.
But the rams had other ideas, and found
their way through the fence to her. April
was only 11 months old when she gave
birth to her first lamb, a tiny ewe. April
is a dandy mother and we suspect her
daughter will be one, too.
from the boys until the following year.
But the rams had other ideas, and found
their way through the fence to her. April
was only 11 months old when she gave
birth to her first lamb, a tiny ewe. April
is a dandy mother and we suspect her
daughter will be one, too.
About to "lose it" (their winter coats, that is). Click
on photos above to get a better view of dense,
wooly hair the sheep get to protect them in winter.
(Sometimes the coat comes off in one big "pelt," which
could no doubt be used for spinning and other uses).
on photos above to get a better view of dense,
wooly hair the sheep get to protect them in winter.
(Sometimes the coat comes off in one big "pelt," which
could no doubt be used for spinning and other uses).
Feb. 2012: We have had our St. Croix for 3+ years now, and couldn't be happier with them. Their temperaments are superb, with many of our little flock, rams included, greatly enjoying and seeking-out being handled and loved-on by us. Their "care" consists of: hoof trimming Spring and Fall, supplying them with grass (hay in the winter), pond water, free-choice mineral/salt/kelp mix, and daily petting and scratching. They bring themselves in close to the barn at night and we have not had any losses to coyotes, which are rampant here. We also have Thelma & Louise, our Anatolian-Pyranees guard dogs, and they are avid coyote-deterrants, so that helps too.
We were told to put him down, but he had such a vibrancy and will to live that we opted to splint his legs (that were flailing every direction, like the ankles were designed to be 360-degree pivots). Two weeks later he was running everywhere! We continue to be amazed and joyful about the hardy and resilient nature of the St. Croix! |
We're tough as nails but way cuter, doncha think?
A blue eyed ewe! (lip is normal; she was chewing)
Sweetie ewe loves everyone!
| FIVE PONDS FARM , Thomasville, Missouri. Please call : 417-764-3641 or e-mail us: marian@fivepondsfarm.com or vanbeever@centurylink.net |
ready to go to new homes in April/May 2013. They are $200-300 each. Please CONTACT US to RESERVE YOURS NOW. |