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Shetland
Sheep
We
believe that smaller livestock
breeds will "come back into
fashion" since the average
amount of land that a homesteader
owns is decreasing. Smaller livestock
are easier on the land and are
often hardier and more productive
per pound than their larger cousins.
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Two
of our sweetest girls!
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Shetlands
are an ancient breed of sheep
coming from the Shetland Isles.
Shetlands are believed to have
been originally brought to the
islands by Vikings.
Shetlands were first brought to
North America for Thomas Jefferson,
However the breed did not survive
in the States at that time. The
major importation happened in
the 1980's by Col. Dailley. Most
Shetlands are derived from that
importation. In the late 90's
semen was brought from the United
Kingdom to bring in new blood
and help save some of the rarer
colors (Dohner, 2001).
 Shetlands
are a hardy unimproved "primitive"
landrace. Since they are a landrace
there is much diversity in colors,
fleece, and temperaments. Some
are extremely friendly and will
wag their tails when they receive
scratches. Shetlands are smaller
than commercial breeds and require
little feed or assistance in lambing.
Shetlands have a short tail that
does not require docking. Shetlands
do not have many of the problems
that larger breeds have.
 Shetlands
come in 11 different colors, going
from white to brown to black,
with variations including markings
and spots or combos of the above.
We
are striving to produce friendly
polled male and female Shetlands.
Polling is accepted by NASSA in
both males and females.
References
Dohner, Janet Vorwald. 2001.
The Encyclopedia of Historic and
Endangered Livestock and Poultry
Breeds. Yale University Press.
New Haven and London.
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