1) Propagating healthy, low-maintenance, naturally parasite resistant, purebred shetlands of good overall conformation and soundness. We are not into the concept of turning this primitive breed into improved "show sheep".
2) Producing soft, fine handspinning fleeces in a variety of natural colors. Our goal is to have our whole flock microning at maturity at 29 or lower, with low SD and CV for soft handle.
3) Easy lambing, milky ewes with strong mothering instincts, and strong, eager to thrive lambs.
4) Breeding the polled gene completely into our flock, while eliminating the horn gene.
5) Keeping the shetland sheep "the smallest of the British breeds". The Shetlands that were imported to the U.S. were around 70 lbs for an average ewe, and 110 for an average ram, with top weights at 125. We try to stay within those weight ranges to prevent our sheep from gradually drifting into larger sheep. The Shetland was nearly lost in the 1930's due to the "bigger is better" mentality. We don't want to see that happen. Our shetlands average around 24" at the wither after shearing and are smaller and lighter than our babydoll sheep were.
We sell only quality sheep as breeding stock. We wouldn't sell any sheep as a potential breeder that we wouldn't consider keeping for our own breeding program. Lambs are allowed to grow a bit and be carefully evaluated before they may bear our farm name on the registration papers. Sheep that don't meet our criteria as potential breeding stock are not registered.
If you are interested in buying any of our sheep, even one that is not marked for sale, please let us know. That sheep may become available at a later date, and you will be notified before the general public. Your name will not be given to anyone else, and you will be under no obligation to buy. Simply, you will have "first dibs."
Please note that if you do not respond to an e-mail after a reasonable amount of time, or place a deposit in a timely manner after one is requested, we will have to make the assumption that you are no longer interested in the sheep, and we will move along to the next person waiting. This is only fair to our customers, and to us.
We may have available pet quality lambs during the summer after weaning (July) These sheep may have a small flaw that would keep them from being registered, but will make great pets, weeders, meat, or fiber animals.
Please let use know if you are interested in such sheep. They are sold at a reasonable price, with a multi-purchase discount.
Purchased sheep must be picked up by October 1st. A $1.00 daily board fee will be in effect, per head, after that date. This includes sold ewes held over for November ram exposure.
***Health papers through the vet are provided at the buyer's expense***
Buyers are provided with a health history of each animal, even those sold with no registration papers. This history includes birthday, de-worming and vaccinations records. If a sheep is medicated for any reason, it will be noted in the health record.
For health reasons, we do not lease rams, nor allow outside ewes brought in for ram exposure.
We do not deliberately create bottle babies, nor will we sell a single lamb to be kept by itself as a pet. Sheep are flocking animals, it is not healthy for a sheep to be kept alone.
You are welcome to make payments on your sheep, but the sheep must be paid for in full before leaving our property. Transportation is the responsibility of the buyer.
If a transport company is utilized, pick up must be made at our farm in Wilmington. Please make sure the transport company is willing and able to do this before hiring them.
We may be able to deliver or meet a buyer half way, our ability to do this will need to be evaluated on a case by case basis.
By doing business with Little Country Acres, visitors/buyers agree that the jurisdiction for any legal actions regarding this business will be in Will County, Illinois. We are not responsible for any accidents on our property, nor damage to property or persons from animals purchased from us.
As much as we enjoy visitors, we are not set up for drop-ins. Visitors are welcome by appointment only, please...Well, what are you waiting for? Come on down to Little Country Acres and fall in love with our knee high little sheep!