ST. CROIX FAQ
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| St. Croix Hair Sheep Breeders of North America (St. Croix Hair Sheep Breeders International Association, Inc.) |
BREED STANDARDS...for Virgin Island White Sheep
GENERAL APPEARANCE It is of moderate frame in size with a long muscle pattern
type and a well sprung barrel. The coat is white and is shed each year.
SIZE Moderate size; adult females weigh about 150 lbs and rams weigh about 200 lbs.
Birth weight is an average of 6-7 pounds.
HEAD Both sexes are naturally polled with no visible scurs. An attractively distinct
profile with the males exhibiting a "Roman" styled nose. Ears should be fine textured
neither upturned nor drooping, giving the appearance of alertness. The eyes are large
and clear. The head should be carried in an upright manner on a long graceful neck.
TOP LINE The neck should join smoothly to the shoulder. There may be a dip in the
top line immediately after the wither; the back then continuing in a lengthy manner to the
point of the hip at which the croup drops at a relatively acute angle to the tail head.
This angle is believed to facilitate the ease of lambing common in this breed.
BODY The body should be symmetrical, deep and long when profiled from the side.
St. Croix sheep are of moderate size and build when viewed from the front or back.
The hips should be broad.
LEGS The forelegs should be straight with feet placed squarely underneath. The hind
legs should not evidence "cow hocking" and the pasterns should be strong and upright.
MUSCLING St. Croix have a moderate volume of muscle. Muscling should appear
long and well tied-in at the joints. Heavier muscling should be encouraged but not at the
expense of overall breed type.
UDDER Ewes should have well formed even udders with two good teats.
SCROTUM Rams should have two large, even, well developed testicles.
COAT The St. Croix is a white hair sheep. They should show evidence of a true
shedding coat. However, a softer wool undercoat on younger animals should not be
penalized. Rams should have a mane of long course hair, extending from the back
of the neck to around the shoulders, even reaching the knee at maturity.
There may be a dark pigment around the eyes, nostrils and lips.
Not more than 1/4 of the ear, at the tip, should carry dark pigments.
GENERAL APPEARANCE It is of moderate frame in size with a long muscle pattern
type and a well sprung barrel. The coat is white and is shed each year.
SIZE Moderate size; adult females weigh about 150 lbs and rams weigh about 200 lbs.
Birth weight is an average of 6-7 pounds.
HEAD Both sexes are naturally polled with no visible scurs. An attractively distinct
profile with the males exhibiting a "Roman" styled nose. Ears should be fine textured
neither upturned nor drooping, giving the appearance of alertness. The eyes are large
and clear. The head should be carried in an upright manner on a long graceful neck.
TOP LINE The neck should join smoothly to the shoulder. There may be a dip in the
top line immediately after the wither; the back then continuing in a lengthy manner to the
point of the hip at which the croup drops at a relatively acute angle to the tail head.
This angle is believed to facilitate the ease of lambing common in this breed.
BODY The body should be symmetrical, deep and long when profiled from the side.
St. Croix sheep are of moderate size and build when viewed from the front or back.
The hips should be broad.
LEGS The forelegs should be straight with feet placed squarely underneath. The hind
legs should not evidence "cow hocking" and the pasterns should be strong and upright.
MUSCLING St. Croix have a moderate volume of muscle. Muscling should appear
long and well tied-in at the joints. Heavier muscling should be encouraged but not at the
expense of overall breed type.
UDDER Ewes should have well formed even udders with two good teats.
SCROTUM Rams should have two large, even, well developed testicles.
COAT The St. Croix is a white hair sheep. They should show evidence of a true
shedding coat. However, a softer wool undercoat on younger animals should not be
penalized. Rams should have a mane of long course hair, extending from the back
of the neck to around the shoulders, even reaching the knee at maturity.
There may be a dark pigment around the eyes, nostrils and lips.
Not more than 1/4 of the ear, at the tip, should carry dark pigments.
| Questions or problems regarding this website should be directed to webmaster @stcroixhairsheepbreeders.org |
| Last Updated: 2 February 2005 |
| ST. CROIX -- DISQUALIFYING FAULTS Body color spot larger than a U.S. quarter dollar. Monorchid or cryptorchid ----- Horns or large visible scurs Evidence of shearing or body clipping |
GENERAL ST. CROIX HAIR SHEEP
MANAGEMENT FAQ
GESTATION The average gestation duration is 150 days.
PUBERTY Both sexes of the St. Croix are precocious sexually.
REPRODUCTIVE RATE Lambing rate varies from 150-200% with two complete production cycles a year...
not being uncommon, and being recorded as increasing in frequency.
REPRODUCTIVE LIFESPAN Ewes will remain productive for 8 to 10 years.
BREEDING SEASON Unlike most sheep breeds the St. Croix ewes have the ability to breed throughout most
of the year, in lattitudes away from the equator and the ability to re-breed within a few weeks after lambing.
A significant proportion of the St. Croix can produce two separate lamb crops in one year.
St. Croix are increasingly being used to cross breed to wool breeds.
A Study out of Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, by the University of Illinois 1985-1991, concluded that
cross bred ewes bred to St. Croix & Barbados Blackbelly rams were superior for fertility, lamb survival,
lamb weaning weight and ewe productivity.
LAMBING Lambing is generally easy with few complications.
BIRTH WEIGHTS The average birth weights range from 6 to 7 pounds, for twin births, with single birth lambs
weighing slightly more.
NO SHEARING St. Croix are hair sheep and naturally shed their winter coats in the Spring. For the small flock owner
this trait...is usually a net saving due to the shearing cost being more than the wool fibre income.
OPTIONAL TAIL DOCKING Unlike wool sheep, tail docking is not required, and is often discouraged. If the tail is
docked, the preference is that the tail be docked at longer than at the distal end of the caudal tail fold, which is what has
been a recommendation made by the American Veterinary Medicine Association for docking the tails of wool breeds.
FENCING & PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS St. Croix respond well to fencing of all kinds as long as the height
is maintained at no less than fifty (50) inches. Although perimeter fencing should be of a field fence type, they have
responded well to electric fencing when it is used for managed intensive grazing, and two hot strands or electric netting is
sufficient for interior fencing. Protection works well with guardian dogs, donkeys and llama.
FEEDING St. Croix utilize coarse fodder more efficiently than other sheep. They are active grazers. Grass feeding is
preferable to feed lot management, as the latter can add fat, if the animals don't get enough exercise.
Studies appear to indicate that graining St. Croix, may cause trouble, where otherwise there wouldn't have been any.
With the exception of some light graining for lactating ewes, grain is not necessary, since the St. Croix are more efficient
in utilizing their feed than those of the wool breeds.
PARASITE MANAGEMENT Frequent routine worming remains unnecessary with the St. Croix. When grazing out on
fresh, natural pasture they are more parasite resistant than wool sheep.
Worming management varies from region to region across the North American continent. If a fecal study warrants it,
new lambs can be wormed at about 2 months, which should then carry them until their own resistance builds.
or natural infection".
Because of the physical characteristics of St. Croix sheep, it is easy to check the physical condition of the sheep to
determine whether they have worms, but if still in doubt a fecal study would be an appropriate double check.
HIGH SCRAPIE RESISTANCE In 1999, the APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) of the USDA reported
there had been no documented cases of Scrapie in St. Croix Hair Sheep. Studies are still in progress.
BENEFITS OF CROSS BREEDING ST. CROIX Cross breeding with St. Croix will produce a higher level
of parasite tolerance and resistance in other sheep breeds.
Cross breeding of St. Croix with wool sheep breeds (progressively away from wool infusions) will produce a
shedding animal within 3 generations...but with no guarantee...that the St. Croix genome will be shared in that time.
Tracking pedigrees for a crossbreeding program is now done through the St. Thomas, Class B, Crossbred Program.
MANAGEMENT FAQ
GESTATION The average gestation duration is 150 days.
PUBERTY Both sexes of the St. Croix are precocious sexually.
- Males can reach puberty as early as four (4) months.
- Females can reach puberty as early as six (6) months and give birth at one year of age.
REPRODUCTIVE RATE Lambing rate varies from 150-200% with two complete production cycles a year...
not being uncommon, and being recorded as increasing in frequency.
REPRODUCTIVE LIFESPAN Ewes will remain productive for 8 to 10 years.
BREEDING SEASON Unlike most sheep breeds the St. Croix ewes have the ability to breed throughout most
of the year, in lattitudes away from the equator and the ability to re-breed within a few weeks after lambing.
A significant proportion of the St. Croix can produce two separate lamb crops in one year.
St. Croix are increasingly being used to cross breed to wool breeds.
A Study out of Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, by the University of Illinois 1985-1991, concluded that
cross bred ewes bred to St. Croix & Barbados Blackbelly rams were superior for fertility, lamb survival,
lamb weaning weight and ewe productivity.
LAMBING Lambing is generally easy with few complications.
BIRTH WEIGHTS The average birth weights range from 6 to 7 pounds, for twin births, with single birth lambs
weighing slightly more.
NO SHEARING St. Croix are hair sheep and naturally shed their winter coats in the Spring. For the small flock owner
this trait...is usually a net saving due to the shearing cost being more than the wool fibre income.
OPTIONAL TAIL DOCKING Unlike wool sheep, tail docking is not required, and is often discouraged. If the tail is
docked, the preference is that the tail be docked at longer than at the distal end of the caudal tail fold, which is what has
been a recommendation made by the American Veterinary Medicine Association for docking the tails of wool breeds.
FENCING & PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS St. Croix respond well to fencing of all kinds as long as the height
is maintained at no less than fifty (50) inches. Although perimeter fencing should be of a field fence type, they have
responded well to electric fencing when it is used for managed intensive grazing, and two hot strands or electric netting is
sufficient for interior fencing. Protection works well with guardian dogs, donkeys and llama.
FEEDING St. Croix utilize coarse fodder more efficiently than other sheep. They are active grazers. Grass feeding is
preferable to feed lot management, as the latter can add fat, if the animals don't get enough exercise.
Studies appear to indicate that graining St. Croix, may cause trouble, where otherwise there wouldn't have been any.
With the exception of some light graining for lactating ewes, grain is not necessary, since the St. Croix are more efficient
in utilizing their feed than those of the wool breeds.
PARASITE MANAGEMENT Frequent routine worming remains unnecessary with the St. Croix. When grazing out on
fresh, natural pasture they are more parasite resistant than wool sheep.
Worming management varies from region to region across the North American continent. If a fecal study warrants it,
new lambs can be wormed at about 2 months, which should then carry them until their own resistance builds.
- In grazing Studies conducted by scientists at the Agricultural Research Service by the USDA, on contaminated
pastures, St. Croix lambs have developed an almost complete resistance to certain parasites within 4-6 weeks. - In another Study, conducted by Gamble and Zadjac for ARS and Virginia Tech, the scientists found that St. Croix
or natural infection".
Because of the physical characteristics of St. Croix sheep, it is easy to check the physical condition of the sheep to
determine whether they have worms, but if still in doubt a fecal study would be an appropriate double check.
HIGH SCRAPIE RESISTANCE In 1999, the APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) of the USDA reported
there had been no documented cases of Scrapie in St. Croix Hair Sheep. Studies are still in progress.
BENEFITS OF CROSS BREEDING ST. CROIX Cross breeding with St. Croix will produce a higher level
of parasite tolerance and resistance in other sheep breeds.
Cross breeding of St. Croix with wool sheep breeds (progressively away from wool infusions) will produce a
shedding animal within 3 generations...but with no guarantee...that the St. Croix genome will be shared in that time.
Tracking pedigrees for a crossbreeding program is now done through the St. Thomas, Class B, Crossbred Program.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The St. Croix is an attractive all white sheep of moderate size and has a hair coat of consistent texture.
They are gentle and easy to handle and both sexes are hornless. They are a true hair sheep and shed their winter
coat of hair and fine downy fiber each Spring and never need shearing. They have a slender hair covered tail that does
not need to be docked. Mature rams sport a "lion like" mane which may fall to the knees
ADAPTABILITY
St. Croix easily adapt to various climates. In cold weather they grow a thick winter coat which is then shed during warm
weather. Their coat is hollow medullar hair which allows the sheep to shed water and thus they are able to tolerate
heat and humidity as well as cold weather. They have superior inherent resistance to internal parasites,
general good health and few hoof problems. Per the Zadjac - Virginia Tech report of April 1999, which indicated that
"St. Croix help to eliminate parasites from pastures, thereby reducing the need for frequent worming".
Thus considered by many as "Parasitic Pasture Vacuums" and are often used rotationally to benefit other species.
HAIR SHEEP HISTORY
Hair sheep from West Africa were introduced into the Caribbean in the 1500s. From this introduction, different breeds
of hair sheep developed accounting for less than 2 million head throughout the Caribbean region. In the Virgin Islands
these African breeds may have mixed with the native Criollo. Some have speculated that there was also a crossing
with the Wiltshire Horn. Hair Sheep comprise approximately ten (10%) percent of the world sheep population and are
located primarily in the tropical regions of Africa, South America and the Caribbean. Since coming to North America,
they have adapted and multiplied at a rapid pace. Currently the St. Croix is still considered as a rare breed
The St. Croix is an attractive all white sheep of moderate size and has a hair coat of consistent texture.
They are gentle and easy to handle and both sexes are hornless. They are a true hair sheep and shed their winter
coat of hair and fine downy fiber each Spring and never need shearing. They have a slender hair covered tail that does
not need to be docked. Mature rams sport a "lion like" mane which may fall to the knees
ADAPTABILITY
St. Croix easily adapt to various climates. In cold weather they grow a thick winter coat which is then shed during warm
weather. Their coat is hollow medullar hair which allows the sheep to shed water and thus they are able to tolerate
heat and humidity as well as cold weather. They have superior inherent resistance to internal parasites,
general good health and few hoof problems. Per the Zadjac - Virginia Tech report of April 1999, which indicated that
"St. Croix help to eliminate parasites from pastures, thereby reducing the need for frequent worming".
Thus considered by many as "Parasitic Pasture Vacuums" and are often used rotationally to benefit other species.
HAIR SHEEP HISTORY
Hair sheep from West Africa were introduced into the Caribbean in the 1500s. From this introduction, different breeds
of hair sheep developed accounting for less than 2 million head throughout the Caribbean region. In the Virgin Islands
these African breeds may have mixed with the native Criollo. Some have speculated that there was also a crossing
with the Wiltshire Horn. Hair Sheep comprise approximately ten (10%) percent of the world sheep population and are
located primarily in the tropical regions of Africa, South America and the Caribbean. Since coming to North America,
they have adapted and multiplied at a rapid pace. Currently the St. Croix is still considered as a rare breed
| For ST. CROIX of COLOR CLICK HERE ST. THOMAS |