About Woodstock Sheep

Photo Source: New Zealand Rare Breeds

Woodstock Station, situated in the picturesque Waimakariri River valley west of Oxford in Canterbury, New Zealand, is home to one of the country's lesser-known flocks of feral sheep. Initially overlooked during surveys conducted in the 1970s, these sheep were deemed of little significance and were earmarked for eradication by the Department of Conservation. However, recent recognition of the potential genetic value of feral flocks with early origins has sparked renewed interest in the Woodstock sheep.

The origins of the flock can be traced back to the late 19th century when Merino sheep were introduced to Woodstock Station, a time when fencing was scarce. Consequently, escapees found it easy to establish themselves as a feral population in the indigenous forest and tussock grasslands surrounding the station. Today, these sheep boast clean legs and faces, and are remarkably free from diseases and dag. Notably, the rams of the flock typically exhibit horns.

While the majority of the Woodstock sheep sport a traditional white-woolled coat, one distinctive characteristic sets them apart: a notable percentage of the flock displays a 'badger-faced' color pattern, a primitive trait rarely seen in other feral sheep populations in New Zealand.

Although efforts by the Canterbury section of the Rare Breeds Conservation Society have supported the recovery of a number of Woodstock sheep, their current status remains uncertain. Further information about these unique sheep and their conservation efforts can be found on the Rare Breeds Conservation Society's website.