MINIATURE SHEEP

MINIATURE AND SMALL SHEEP BREEDS

AABMGS recognises and registers breeds that are traditionally small or have been more recently bred to be small:

• Babydoll Sheep (a small dual purpose sheep breed based on the Southdown)
  
• Persian Sheep (an ancient small domestic breed rare in Australia)
• Harlequin Mini Meat Sheep (developed for ease of handling and management on smaller properties).

Babydoll lamb (Tanjar stud)

Tanjar Cheddar and Tanjar Little Meg taken by Deborah Royans

CARING FOR SHEEP

Even though they are smaller, miniature sheep are relatively hardy and require the usual care. Depending on the breed and individual sheep, this can include providing

• pasture to graze
• supplementary feeding in dry times or when pasture is inadequate
• a supply of clean drinking water
• mineral supplements (most often licks) to compensate for any mineral deficiencies
• protection from predators such as dogs and foxes
• company of other sheep
• vaccinations
• management of parasitic worms
• management for flystrike
• shearing and crutching if sheep has wool
• hoof trimming
• management of reproduction and lambing