Barlow Knoll Farm

Why Olde English Babydoll Southdown sheep?

They make great 4H projects for children. "Babydolls" also make great companions and pets. They are also raised for their wool. Their fleeces often are 19 to 22 microns putting them in the same class as cashmere. At Barlow Knoll Farm, our sheep are used as organic lawn mowers. As they trim the grass, the sheep naturally fertilize the area that they graze on. "Babydolls" are also great at organic weeding such as in orchards and vineyards. They do an excellent job because they will not harm the fruit, trees, or shrubs, Also they are an excellent investment. In the United States there are only 533 registered breeders in a population of over 304,000,000!  

Why are "Olde English Babydoll Southdown sheep" better suited for a 4H project than the other sheep breeds?

They are easier for children to handle than the standard breeds that you mainly see at the fair grounds. "Babydolls" are much smaller than the other breeds, weighing far less and only standing around 18" to 24" at the shoulders. Their gentle and docile nature make them a perfect 4H project.  

Are these sheep relatively easy to care for?

Yes, very little time needs to be invested in their care. They require fresh clean water and access to grass such as in a pasture. Hay will repace pasture grass in the winter time for their main diet. The sheep also need a shelter to get away from inclimate weather. In general, their care is very easy including worming, hoof trimming, a yearly vacination and tetanus shots. In the spring time their wool should also be sheared to keep them cooler. 

What do they eat?

We feed our sheep twice a day cracked corn as a supplement to their diet. Their main food supply is pasture grass in the spring, summer and fall. In the winter we feed them a good quailty hay. We also use sheep specific mineral blocks to round off their diet.

Hand spinners enjoy working with their wool. Fleeces often are 19 to 22 microns putting them in the same class as cashmere. The "Babydoll" fleece has more barbs per inch than any other wool types making it an ideal blend with other wools.

We do not at the present time.

Yes. We do have a farm veterinarian that we consult with, but for the most part we take care of most of their medical needs ourselves.

How are they around people (children)?

They are a very gentle animal. Each one has it's own personality. Black Betty for example loves to have her head scratched. All of our sheep will come up close and eat animal crackers, their favorite snack, right out of our childrens hands. They also come running right up to you when they see the grain bucket at feeding time.