Live Simply ~ Live Well
Life off the grid in NW Washington.

Size and Temperament of Your Soay Sheep

We have small polled ewes, medium sized ewes with petite horns, and we have Brunhilda’s – very large ewes with long sweeping horns. And like people, Soay each have very distinct personalities and they may or may not get along with the neighbors.

Getting along with the neighbors...

When considering the composition of your breeding groups take these things into consideration.

Soay ewes are not typically aggressive, but when it comes to feeding time a large ewe with long horns and a big appetite will “sweep” all the smaller more petite ewes away from the feed until she gets her fill. If you house large and small ewes together in breeding groups or throughout the year – make sure you have multiple feeding stations so the little ones get the nutrition they need.

We also pay attention to this when the breeding groups are broken up into the "lambing groups". I find it less stressful to have my ewes in smaller groups for lambing - rather than having them all housed together. That way when a lamb is born and I go in to check on the lamb, do innoculations and umbilical care there are only a few ewes that are stressed rather than my whole flock.

Size and temperament can also play a role in lambing groups. A large ewe may bully the smaller ewes. The smaller ewes and their lambs may not have equal access to the feed. This doesn't happen often but it's good to be aware that it could happen so you can be alert and watch for it.

When To Breed ~ Space Available ~ Genetics + Genetic Traits ~ Size & Temperament ~ Rams