CARE & MAINTENANCE OF SOAY SHEEP
Soay sheep are an ancient breed, thought to be the oldest specimen of domesticated sheep, and of all domesticated sheep are considered mostly closely related to wild sheep. While Soay sheep are hardy, they do require care on the part of the farmer.
FOOD & WATER
- Water: Fresh water at all times is the most important factor for any livestock, and Soay sheep are no exception.
- Pasture: Soay sheep on St Kilda graze year round and receive no additional feeds or supplements. Many breeders attempt to recreate these conditions, providing their sheep with pasture, but in a further attempt to not recreate the cyclical starvation that occurs on St Kilda, these same farmers provide hay of some sort during the dormant periods of pasture growth.
- Grains: Some farmers prefer to supplement their sheep with grain feeding. There are pros and cons to grain feeding of ruminants like sheep. Research is recommended before making the decision that is ultimately up to you.
- Hay: While hay can be purchased at a feed store in times of emergency, it is most economical to purchase hay directly from the farmer producing it. Hay that has been baled and put up in a barn will be much more expensive than hay that you pick up in the field yourself and haul to your own barn. If you don't have any of your own, teenagers can be hired during haying season for a reasonable price, and are definitely worth the expense! WET HAY: It is important to purchase hay that has not gotten wet! No matter what a farmer may tell you about how minimal the rain was, or how "salting it will prevent mold", wet hay will mold, and this mold can cause abortion in your pregnant ewes. Once you find a farmer that produces good quality hay, consider yourself fortunate, pick up your hay promptly, and pay him or her well. Plain grass hay is considered adequate feed for most of the year. If you choose not to grain feed, then addition of higher protein hay such as alfalfa is helpful during late pregnancy and lactation.
- Minerals: Most farmers do provide a special mineral mixture for their sheep, also known as sheep salt. This is made especially for sheep; do not purchase a salt block or other salt or mineral mixture intended "for all livestock;" these have been known to cause the death of some Soay sheep. Mineral mixtures manufactured especially for sheep provides selenium and other necessary minerals that may be deficient in the soils in your area. Some farmers add kelp granules to this mixture to provide additional natural vitamins and minerals for optimum health and nutrition. These items can be purchased at most feed stores; if your local feed store does not keep these items in stock, they can special order them for you. Be sure to read the fine print; it has been found that mineral mixes labeled "for cattle and sheep" actually do contain more copper than is safe for Soay sheep.
- Probiotics: This is a tube of paste that you may want to keep on hand. It provides vitamins and naturally occurring bacteria, which is helpful if a sheep's rumen needs a "jump start." At the first sign of stress (or potential for stress, such as moving to a new farm) many shepherds use a dab of probiotic paste placed in the sheep's mouth, which may be used in conjunction with other treatments. Probiotic pastes can be found in several brand names and can be compared to giving electrolytes or acidophilus to a child to get the digestive process going more quickly.
SHELTER
- Some form of shelter is important for your sheep, and it must be large enough to accommodate your entire flock. Some shepherds have elaborate barns, some use simple 3-sided shelters with the open side facing away from prevailing winds, and some use combinations. Photos can be found below for inspiration to build or purchase housing for your flock of Soay sheep.
VETERINARY CARE
- It is important to have a good Vet in your area that knows something about sheep. You may never need a vet, but it is helpful to have a relationship in advance, should anything go wrong in which you might need assistance or advice. Most veterinarians have never heard of or seen Soay sheep, and will likely be intrigued with your flock and take a special interest in them. This is useful, and to be encouraged!
LAMBING SEASON
- Lambing season for Soay shepherds is a joyful time, and not the worry or bother that is often described in books on sheep. It is rare for Soay ewes to require assistance, and SOA strongly encourages the culling of any Soay ewes that exhibit a consistent need for assistance during lambing season, in order to retain the hardiness that this breed is known for. See our Lambing page for descriptions of typical births.
RAM MANAGEMENT
PARASITES, INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL
- It is not possible or even desirable to eliminate all internal parasites, also referred to as worms. Keeping the "worm load" at a low level is the goal of shepherds. This can be accomplished naturally if enough pasture space is allowed, and/or rotations of pastures is practiced. If not, some type of anthelmintic or "wormer" will be needed periodically. Some shepherds utilize herbal worming preparations, and others use chemical wormers available at the local feed store. Talk to the breeder you are purchasing your sheep from to get an idea of what you can expect to do with your own flock, what type of wormer he or she uses, the amount and frequency.
- External parasites are fairly common, including ticks and specific types of lice (not human lice). Some breeders use a pour-on anthelmintic on newly purchased sheep, keeping them quarantined for a few weeks, in order to avoid introducing external parasites into the flock.
DEATH/AUTOPSY
- Death follows life as a natural occurrence. Whether accidental or intentional, please report the death of your sheep to the SOA Registrar, as well as the cause. Most deaths are intentional; Soay sheep taste great! But you will find as some point in your shepherding career an accidental death of one of your sheep or lambs. If found early enough, and the cause is not obvious (coyote mauling, for example) it is important to perform an autopsy or necropsy. Your local vet can give you specifics, but the most important organs to be removed from the animal are the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. A call placed to your vet may indicate some other organs or symptoms to look for. Place the organs in individual plastic bags and refrigerate or put on ice until they can be transported to your veterinarian the same day (no later than the following day), who will look at the organs themselves, or ship them to a university for analysis. This may cost you a small amount (less than $100) but may save you considerably more in the long run, because knowing the cause of death may enable you to forestall an epidemic through the rest of your flock, or enable you to make a change in management that could prevent further deaths.
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