See the Table of Selected Breeds of Sheep for further information. And average live body weight of the mature ewes vary from 59 to 81 kg. Southdowns are popular in many parts of the world, especially in The Commonwealth and the United States. Their wool is fine to medium, with a staple length of 4-6 cm, and average fleece weights 3-5 pounds. Its pedigree is said to be ‘older than that of the peerage’. Their lambing properties are good so, there is a high demand for ewes as compared to rams. About . Today the breed is popular among the small scale sheep breeders and raised mainly for meat production. The average weight of Southdown ram is 86- 104 kg and the ewe is 59- 81 kg. The region from where the breed was developed has a mild climate, fertile soil and good grass that make it excellent for raising sheep. Join Southdown Australia. The breed were a small breed to begin with, before Mr. Ellman’s work was continued by Jonas Webb to develop into the medium breed we know today. The Southdown breed is fortunate in that it has not yet reached the point of being so large framed that we have segmented the breed into two distinct subclasses; one consisting of breeding sheep, and the other wether sheep. Domestic Breed: The Dorset breed was developed in England and was imported to the United States in 1885 Weight: Males (Rams): 210-250 lbs. The Southdown Sheep Society was formed in 1890. Chicken The Southdown sheep breed were first developed over 200 years ago, after being bred by a man called John Ellman, near East Sussex. Become a member today … Maybe we just have the mellow gene over here. Advertise Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Also they do extremely well on poor pastures that other sheep would struggle to fill out on. Lambing rate averages 140-160%. It was consistent in qualities, and it was used in the development of several other sheep breeds, including the Hampshire, Oxford and Shropshire. Read more information about this breed below. Pigeon The sheep are sturdy, wide, deep, compact, and refined. Scientific Name: Ovis aries. The Southdown Sheep Society was formed in 1890. Black Friday Sale! Southdown sheep is recognized by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as a native breed. However, review full breed profile of the Southdown sheep in the following chart. Cow Any Sheep 17-18” or Rams 24-26” will be faulted but could still be useful in a well thought out breeding program . Learn how your comment data is processed. Life Span: 10-12. Sheep, Bee Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The Southdown sheep are excellent meat producers. Facts. developed in England, now also widespread in U.S. originally Central Asia, now also Africa, Europe, U.S. coats of very young lambs called Persian lamb, originally England, now U.K., North America, originally England, now also Australia, N.Z., North and South America, coarse, long wool is used chiefly for carpets, originally Spain, now also Australia, North America, South Africa. BABYDOLL SOUTHDOWN SHEEP should be from 18-24” tall. Disclaimer They are sturdy, wide, deep, compact and refined. It’s juniors are no different. Duck The Southdown breed leads the way for others to follow. Corrections? This means a high degree of selection and a knowledge of some of the definite facts which operate to influence the various characteristics which are peculiar to the new individual. Southdown Sheep Price Southdown sheep are quiet and calm by nature and do not harm anyone. The breed was then exported to New Zealand, for use in the development of the Canterbury lamb breed. And it was exported to New Zealand and was used in the breeding of the Canterbury lamb. The American Southdown Junior Association (AJSA) allows juniors to share a vital role in the promotion and advancement of the Southdown breed. https://www.britannica.com/animal/Southdown, Black-Faced Highland, also called Scottish Blackface, originally Scotland, now also U.S., Italy, Argentina, developed in N.Z., now also in U.S., Australia, developed in England, now in U.K., U.S., Australia, small wool yield; out-of-season lambs; horned and hornless varieties. Members are enthusiastic about helping each other and working together to improve the breed. 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Southdown sheep grow relatively faster, and they are efficient foragers. They are relatively calm in disposition. Updates? They are excellent for meat production, and the high quality of the carcass has also been a hallmark of the breed. Omissions? Ostrich The breed is historically one of the most important British sheep breeds. Quail The Southdown sheep is a dual purpose breed of domestic sheep from United Kingdom. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. While taller sheep are still definitely favored, there has been a movement toward looking at other traits, and a move away from selecting for only one trait, height. Most Babydoll Ewes fall into 19-23” range and most Rams 22-24” range. It was developed in southeastern England, specifically in the Chalk Hills or ‘South Downs’ of Sussex. Goat Deer The Southdown is known as a terminal sire producing vigorous lambs with fast growth rates and outstanding carcase and eating quality. I disagree with some of your information…Here in Australia..they are NOT very active stock..they are calm and sedate..prefering to sit and chew the grass around them if possible. Babydoll Southdown sheep are tiny — and chock full of personality. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Find more fun facts about these gentle, sweet pets. Southdown Australia exists to encourage the breeding and use of high quality registered Southdown Sheep in Australia. Sitemap Rams weigh 190-230 pounds and ewes weigh 130-180 pounds. They have wool on their faces, ears, and legs. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The oldest of all British breeds of sheep, it has an ideal body conformation for meat production. They are raised mainly for meat production. Southdown, breed of medium-wool, dark-faced, hornless sheep originating in the Sussex hills of England. The Southdown Sheep Society was formed in 1890. They are usually of white color with mouse colored faces. Thus the ordinary conception of breeding becomes an art and a science, and the more one realises this and is able to put … It is highly valued for meat, fleece and also for improvement of other sheep breeds. Sheep Breed Facts Southdown Sheep. Dorset sheep have little wool on the face, legs and belly. Subscribe ROY'S FARM newsletter for news, updates and receiving notifications of new posts by email. Job Circular They are one of the oldest breeds of “down” sheep from the United Kingdom and are prized for their meat but also produce a decent quality and quantity of wool.