Micro-Mini Sheep: Soay and Soay Cross

Temperament & Handling

• Natural Instincts: As a primitive breed, Soay retain strong survival instincts. They are naturally alert, agile, and can be quite wary or skittish, especially when first introduced to a new environment or inexperienced handlers. They have a strong flocking instinct.

• Building Trust: With patience and calm, consistent handling, Soay can become remarkably friendly and trusting. As we've found on our farm, even initially wild-seeming Soay can learn to eat from your hand and enjoy interaction. The key is patience – spend quiet time with them, use treats (sparingly!), and avoid chasing or grabbing.

• Handling: Due to their small size and agility, handling requires a calm approach. Use well-designed pens or small enclosures. Avoid isolating individuals whenever possible.

Housing & Shelter

• Exceptional Hardiness: Soay are incredibly weather-resistant, thanks to their double-coated fleece. They can withstand cold and wet conditions better than many breeds.

• Basic Needs: Despite their hardiness, they still require access to basic shelter, especially in a Michigan climate. A three-sided shed or access to a barn provides crucial protection from driving winds, freezing rain, heavy snow, and intense summer sun.

• Dry Ground: Ensure their shelter and loafing areas are well-drained and provide a dry place to lie down. Good bedding (straw, shavings) is important in winter.

• Space: Their small size (ewes often 50-70 lbs, rams slightly larger) means they require less space per animal than larger breeds, but don't overcrowd them.

Fencing

• Agility: Soay are nimble and can jump if motivated, but they are often surprisingly respectful of good fences.

• Recommendations: Standard 48-inch woven sheep and goat wire (with 4x4" or smaller openings) is an excellent choice for perimeter fencing. A well-maintained and consistently hot (6000V+) multi-strand electric fence can also work, but they must be trained to it. Ensure there are no gaps they can squeeze through.

Feeding & Nutrition: Less is Often More

• Thriftiness: Soay are extremely thrifty eaters. They evolved on sparse island vegetation and are very efficient at converting forage. They excel at Browse (eating leaves, brush) in addition to grazing grass.

• Avoid Overfeeding: They are prone to obesity if given overly rich pasture or supplemental grain unnecessarily. For most adult Soay at maintenance, good quality pasture or average hay is entirely sufficient.

• Grain Use: Only supplement with grain if necessary – for ewes in very late gestation carrying twins, during peak lactation, during extreme weather, or if forage quality is exceptionally poor.

• CRITICAL - Copper Sensitivity: Soay, like many primitive breeds, are often considered more sensitive to copper than commercial sheep breeds. It is vital to only use sheep-specific minerals with NO added copper and ensure any supplemental feeds are also designated as safe for sheep. Copper toxicity can build up over time and is often fatal.

Fleece & Shearing

• Natural Shedding: One of the Soay's most appealing traits is that they do not require shearing. They naturally shed their fleece (a process called 'rooing') each spring.

• The Fleece: They have a double coat – a soft, fine undercoat (highly prized by hand spinners) and a coarser, hairy outer coat that provides weather protection.

• Gathering Wool: If you wish to use the fleece, it can be 'plucked' (rooed) by hand as it loosens, or gathered from the pasture as it sheds.

Health & Parasites

• Natural Resistance: Soay are known for their strong resistance to many common sheep ailments, particularly foot rot and flystrike (due to their clean shedding and short tails).

• Parasite Management: While more resistant than many breeds, they are not immune to internal parasites. A good pasture rotation plan is still essential. Use FAMACHA and fecal egg counts to monitor and make selective deworming decisions, just as you would with other breeds.

• Vaccinations: Basic vaccinations like CD&T are still recommended as a preventative measure. Consult your vet.

Hoof Care

• Hard Hooves: Soay generally have very hard, dark hooves that often require less frequent trimming than other breeds, especially if they have access to rough ground.

• Regular Checks: However, on softer pastures (like many in Michigan), they will need regular checks and trimming (likely 2-3 times a year) to prevent overgrowth and potential lameness.

Breeding & Lambing

• Easy Lambing: Soay ewes are renowned for their exceptionally easy, unassisted lambing. Their small size and natural instincts make intervention rare.

• Excellent Mothers: They are typically attentive, protective, and good milking mothers.

• Litter Size: They usually produce singles or twins. Triplets are rare.

• Horns: Rams have beautiful, often spiraling horns that require respectful handling. Ewes can be horned, polled (hornless), or have small 'scurs'.

Why Choose Soay?

Soay sheep offer a unique connection to agricultural history. They are ideal for those seeking:

• Low-Maintenance: No shearing, easy lambing, hardy nature.

• Conservation Grazing: Their Browse ability makes them great for managing diverse or "wild" landscapes.

• Small Acreage: Their small size makes them suitable for smaller farms.

• Unique Pets: Their intelligence and potential for friendliness make them engaging companions.

• Heritage & Beauty: Their ancient look and natural grace are undeniable.

Caring for Soay sheep is a rewarding experience, offering a glimpse into the past while enjoying a resilient and "easy-care" animal in the present.

Our Soay

Nels

Frigg

Bjorn (Ram)

Iona

Lagertha

Eira

Ellie

Tov

Elin

Kareena

Skadi

Liv

Inga

Loki (Ram)

Vali (Ram)

Meya

Thor (Ram)

Ylva

Fenrir (Ram)

Yrsa