Safe, healthy, quality foods and seed stock responsibly provided
Raising sheep in the South Eastern United States is challenging. Heat, humidity, predators and insects for initial problems, followed by the most difficult issue of all, intestinal parasites.
We learned that two varieties of sheep were highly resistant to the parasites, and several others boasted a good degree of resistance. The so-called Florida Native and the St. Croix. The Florida Native is a wolly animal, and the St. Croix is a hair sheep with a short wiry coat.
We first settled on St. Croix sheep which evolved on the Island of St. Croix in the American Virgin Islands. Early settlers and mariners left sheep to fend for themselves in a difficult environment. This produced this breed.
The other two breeds were a different matter. The Katahdin sheep and the South African Dorper, are man made breeds. Interestingly, the Katahdin's background includes some St. Croix ancestors. These sheep have less resistance, but more body mass. The combination of the three breeds has proven workable for us on our lakeside pastures.
We use Great Pyrenes dogs as full time herd guardians. We have had no losses to predators, terrestial or airborn, since beginning the use of these wonderful and capable dogs. They bed down with the sheep by day, and prowl the pasture boundaries at night.
Our lambs will run 60 - 70 lbs live weight. The flavor of this lamb is outstanding! Enough fat for moisture and texture, but not greasy.
The lambs are supplemented with a small quantity of grain daily while growing. Sheep are more than grazers, they are browsers as well and enjoy seeds, branches, leaves and mushrooms as well as grasses.
Lambs are sold live, but we offer all the same custom services for harvest and preparation that we offer for our steers. These services are explained at our Beef and Lamb page.
Our three way cross of St. Croix, Dorper and Katahdin sheep. This is a three year old ewe, specially adapted to our pastures. She will produce two lambs, once each year .
Deep Creek Ranch, Inc.
