Southern Oregon Soay Sheep Farms: Breeding and Sales

Sales

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Each autumn when I plan the following spring’s lamb crop I make every effort to select breeding groups so I can put together pairs and trios of unrelated sheep for buyers. Further, I try to place genetics on different farms so that those farms can later work together on building a national flock. Sales are done on a first come first served basis. To reserve a lamb a non refundable deposit, is required, which will be returned if an order cannot be filled. Prices vary depending on sex and the number of sheep purchased. Soay sheep are easy to care for and make a wonderful addition to any small farm or homestead.

If you wish to learn more about the Soay sheep (or the availability my British Soay Sheep). I love to talk about these wonderful little creatures and am always eager to answer questions . Please feel free to email or call 541-955-8171
Kathie Miller

Breeding Philosophy

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The objective of the British Soay Sheep project since its inception in1999 has been to save this historic breed from extinction in North America. The goal from the outset was to preserve a purebred core flock as a satellite outside Great Britain helping to ensure that this direct link to the past would remain unbroken. The importance of this was demonstrated in 2001 with the foot and mouth crisis in the UK which did not affect North America.

In the early days our efforts concentrated on retaining as much genetic diversity as we could. With a foundation flock of only two rams and four ewes (brought to Canada from England in 1990 and the last live Soay to ever be able to be imported) this was a challenge. Because of the opportunity in 2007 and 2010 to import semen from four new rams from the UK the original goal has been expanded to also add characteristics seen on St. Kilda but not here.

Placing sheep on other farms with the same commitment as one's own is critical to the success of any conservation effort and especially this one. There are a number of ways to participate: For those who are not ready to take on the responsibility of a breeding program, wether flocks (neutered males) are an excellent, inexpensive way to learn about caring for the sheep, they make wonderful ambassadors to the breed and are useful as a companion for a ram if you move on to keeping a breeding flock in the future. A flock of two or three ewes and a couple of wethers is another option with the plan of adding a ram the following season after you have had a year to learn to ropes. And for those who are ready to jump into a breeding project a flock of two or three ewes, a ram and a wether or two make a good starter flock.

Soay sheep are small and easy to care for and are ideal for people who have little experience with sheep but who are interested in preserving a bit of history and would enjoy participating in a rewarding global conservation program. I encourage anyone who thinks they may have such an interest to contact me, I am more than happy to answer questions. Visitors are always welcome.

All of Southern Oregon Soay Farms Soay Sheep are reciprocal (interchangeable) with Soay in Great Britain and all are registered in the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's Combined Flock Book in the UK.

Kathie Miller
kathiem@soayfarms.com
541-955-8171

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