Diggers Hill Sheep
Alligators
Alligators
Alpacas
Alpacas
HoneyBees
Bees
Bison
Bison
Buffalo
Buffalo
Camels
Camels
Cattle
Cattle
Chickens
Chickens
Deer
Deer
Donkeys
Donkeys
Ducks
Ducks
Emus
Emus
Geese
Geese
Goats
Goats
GuineaFowl
GuineaFowl
Horses
Horses
Llamas
Llamas
MuskOx
Musk Ox
Ostriches
Ostriches
Pheasants
Pheasants
Pigeons
Pigeons
Pigs
Pigs
Emus
Quail
Rabbits
Rabbits
Sheep
Sheep
Snails
Snails
Turkeys
Turkeys
Yaks
Yaks

About Diggers Hill SheepAbout Diggers Hill Sheep



Diggers Hill sheep are named after the locality in western Southland, NZ, evolved in a feral state. They have, somewhat confusingly, also been referred to as Takitimu, Dean Forest and Fiordlander, but the term Diggers Hill is preferred and used here.

They appear to be basically of Merino origin, but are distinct enough to be a recognizable breed, although there is some variation in type. They are also typical of New Zealand feral sheep – small body weight, less hair on the extremities, single lambing, and a tendency to shed their fine but chalky fleece.

These sheep have never been shorn (as they shed their wool) or treated with conventional animal health treatments. They are only handled to shift paddocks or once a year bought into the yards for the annual stock count. They have a wild nature and do not like to be handled too closely (they jump a bit like goats). The lambing begins every year in May and I am told that is how they have always behaved, including the ones still in the wild. All of our sheep are white but the manager has seen some black ones in the wild.

  Content and Photo Source: New Zealand Rare Breeds (www.rarebreeds.co.nz).