Country Living: Raising St. Croix Sheep

St. Croix sheep

Local sheep breeders Linda and Eddie Barnes of Pauly Road gave a a hands-on talk on Oct. 17, 2009 all about raising St. Croix sheep.

St. Croix sheep are ideal for people wanting to raise an animal, perhaps as part of a 4H project. The sheep are hair sheep, which means they don’t need shearing; they are easily manageable and do a good job eating undesirable plants like Scot’s broom and blackberry. They don’t require alfalfa; grass hay is fine with them; they are extremely parasite resistant as well.

They can be raised for meat, which is reportedly delicious, with sheep butchered at about ten months. Next year St. Croix sheep will be the featured breed at the Oregon State Fair.