Do you want to buy St. Croix sheep? Follow these step-by-step instructions to search for sheep:
How to Search for Sheep Listed for Sale
- Go to the Grassroots login page.
- Log in as a Guest or, if you are a member, use your login and password.
- Click on the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Click “For Sale, Hire or AI Search” to find sheep that are currently for sale.
- Tick the boxes at the left to limit your search to rams or ewes, by year of birth, or by state/region.
- If you see a sheep you are interested in, click on it to see more information.
- Contact the owner to buy the sheep.
How to Find a Breeder
- Go to the Grassroots login page.
- Log in as a Guest or, if you are a member, use your login and password.
- Click on the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Click “Member Search” to find a breeder.
- Tick the box next to the states you want to search.
- Click on the orange “Search” button.
- To get more information about the member, click on their name.
- You can see a list of the sheep they currently own by clicking “Animals Owned.”
Tips for Buying St. Croix Sheep
- St. Croix sheep are in high demand in many regions. Be prepared to wait. Some breeders offer reservations or wait lists. Others prefer to operate on a first come, first served basis.
- Ask questions about how the breeder manages their flock. It is best to find a breeder who manages their flock the way you intend to raise yours.
- Breeders schedule lambing at various times of year. This affects availability depending on when you search for sheep.
- Talk to the breeder about flock health and biosecurity. Some breeders have a biosecurity testing protocol in place, while others do not. Most are willing to work with you to have sheep tested before you commit to buy.
- Ask questions about performance traits that are most important to you. Some breeders can share data about their lambs’ growth and parasite resistance, their ewes’ lambing percentages, and other important traits.
- Ewe lambs are generally easier to find than adult ewes. However, don’t be afraid to ask. Some breeders may even offer bred ewes.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for photos, videos, or even a live video call so that you can see the sheep and their environment.
- Be prepared to pick up your sheep or arrange transport for them. Some breeders may offer this service at an additional cost, but avoid asking them to do so without compensation.
- Join SCHSB before you pick up your sheep so that the breeder can transfer them to you with ease.