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While SOA was originally organized to preserve the American Soay sheep, Soays of America Inc. is inclusive of British Soay sheep and is the only Association that registers, monitors and encourages conservation of both British and American Soay sheep.

 

Mission Statement:

Soays of America is committed to the promotion

and protection of the viability of Soay Sheep in

North America.  With registration and educational

support, SOA continues to provide an accurate

representation of the breed, maintain a

conservancy, and foster a sense of community for

our members.  The goals are to be responsible

breeders, supportive of one another through open

communication and networking while advocating

and upholding the quality and integrity of the breed.

 

 

1   Page 39 of Winter 2004 issue of The Ark, The Journal of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

    Page 28 of Island Survivors, published 1974 by The Athlone Press, University of London.

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2   Page 1 of Soay Sheep, published 2004 by Cambridge University Press.

    Page 28 of Island Survivors, published 1974 by The Athlone Press, University of London.

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Soays of America, Inc.

Copyright 2001 - 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Soay sheep on the North American continent descend from the primitive Soay sheep originally found on the island of Soay, in the archipelago of St Kilda, 110 miles off the coast of Scotland. Although it is generally thought that the Vikings named the islands "Soay," meaning "sheep island;" it is not yet known how the primitive Soay sheep came to the island.  Soay sheep are remnants of Neolithic times1; whether their introduction to the St Kildan islands occurred during the Stone Age or the Bronze Age2, we know that they have survived alone and unassisted in the harsh environment for millennia.  One of the many positive attributes of Soay sheep is a high resistance to disease, intestinal worms and hoof ailments. 

Soay sheep are only knee-high, which makes for easy management, their tails are naturally short and do not require docking.  The wool from these sheep may naturally shed each summer, negating any need for shearing equipment.  For truly hardy and low maintenance small livestock, the Soay sheep is an excellent choice whether you are a farmer, a hand-spinner, or want to raise your own high quality meat in a small amount of space.

The photo below is just one example of the variety currently found within this breed.  Don't miss the Soay Photos page and Fleece Colors page to see further examples, as well as the article about Color Genetics in Soay Sheep written specifically for SOA by Dr Phil Sponenberg!

These small, hardy, easy care livestock  thrive on pasture grass but are also valued for their ablilty to clear brush and brambles.