We raise grade polypay sheep. When I was growing up, Dad used to have about 100 ewes and I lived in the barn during lambing. My older brother didn't care for the animals, so he would help in the house as much as he could to get away from the animals. Now we only have 13 sheep, but I always look forward to lambing. We have polypay sheep. They are a relatively new breed developed from crossing Rambouillet, Dorset, Targhee, and Finnsheep breeds.
For more info about Polypays, click here.
They are prolific-usually twins and triplets, but often more. They will often breed out of season, so you can try to hit the market at the best time. They also have that hybrid vigor that we like to see, I seldom have to pull any lambs or have problems with them. This year our 12 ewes raised 24 lambs and since you shoot for 180% lamb crop we are very pleased.
The kids have shown them in 4-H since they were old enough and always have one or more to take to the state fair. Catey had some bad luck with hers and decided to get out of the sheep and raise goats instead, so last year she bought her LaMancha goat.
Our sheep are pretty tame. One day Maybelline was out and couldn't find her way home. Dale stood at the end of the driveway and called her. She came running to the gate and waited to be let in.
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September 1998 updated December 2001