Canvas Ranch in Petaluma is offering a novel solution to the problem of high labor costs, labor shortage and the desire to grow wine grapes organically. Babydoll Sheep.
The sheep are a great deal at $2000 per, and the benefits of having a couple 24 inch, cloven hoofed walking weed eaters appear to be numerous. From an LA times article on Clos Pepe’s use of the sheep:
If they work out, Pepe would be able to avoid farm chemicals, slash weeding bills and improve his soil.
The sheep have voracious appetites for weeds, but they aren’t quite tall enough to reach fruit on trellised grape vines. Looking like muddy cotton balls as they forage on Pepe’s Santa Rita Hills farm, the sheep feel like damp, dirty sweaters.
… There are other benefits. Miniature animals come with miniature hooves, which are easier on the soil than tractors or even a farmworker’s boots.
Their droppings appear to help the soil stay fertilized, which is nice.
According to the Canvas Ranch website, the Babydoll sheep are the ancestors of the larger and more common Southdown sheep which are much larger. Apparently the babydoll were thought to have been bred out of existence. Just recently (1990) a small flock of the little guys was found in England and they are the parents of the flock being raised at Canvas.
Unexpected bonus: their wool is actually quite fine. It’s in the same class as cashmere:
Miniature Southdowns are usually white; however, there are also black (or brown) ones. They are easy to handle and are not aggressive. They are not wanderers and do not bother fences. Ewes are good mothers and often have twins and occasionally triplets…Their wool is short stapled and fine with a 19-22 micron count, which puts it in the class of cashmere.
We have a small herd of meat goats up at Hat Creek and I think we’ll take a nice long look at Babydolls as an alternative to other expensive weeding options. True organic farming is certainly an aspiration of ours (though we aren’t concerned with getting certified) and this looks like a great fit.
Besides, I just like the idea of having a few dusty, dirty midget sheep wandering the vines with me as I walk the vineyard.
I just hope our Labrador Chai doesn’t get too jealous…
Cheryl
2 years ago
Babydoll sheep are wonderful but they should not cost $2000! Even the best, registered, Babydoll’s price shouldn’t exceed $900 for a breeding quality lamb. Buyer beware! Ask to see the papers before you leave the farm!
If you’re not interested in breeding, pet quality sheep, without registration are not so pricey and will do the job of cleaning up your vineyard. If the breeder is sellingt pet quality (ie without registration) neutered rams and ewes average price range is between $400-$600. When handled regularly, Miniature Southdown Babydoll sheep make very nice, friendly pets. Regardless of why you want them, it is important to understand that you can’t just drop them in a vineyard and ignore them. They do need attention and care including protection from predators, annual shearing, vaccinations, and regular hoof trimming.
Carla Growney
2 years ago
I breed Babydolls in NJ and have 6 ram lambs for sale. They are a wonderful breed and not as expensive as the article stated. A wethered or non-breeding rams is only about $300. If any one is interested in purchasing, please visit my website and contact ASAP — they are going quick!
Kristin
1 year ago
We are doing a similar experiment using Babydoll Sheep in our vineyard in Missouri. Although our vineyard is in the beginning stages, we have grown our Babydoll flock over the past few years and sell our registered lambs each spring for prices well below that mentioned in the article. Babydolls are wonderful sheep for many purposes and are quite popular as barnyard pets and ornamental lawn mowers also! As mentioned by others, they do need good fencing, protection, and ongoing thoughtful care. There is much more information available about them on my website: MyLittleSheep.com