Hog Island
The Hog Island sheep is an American heritage breed descended from sheep left for generations on Hog Island, a barrier island off Virginia. Isolation, salt air, storms, and sparse island grazing shaped a small, hardy sheep that retained traits of older colonial stock. Fleece, color, and horn status vary, with white, dark, and spotted animals all occurring; many rams are horned, and ewes may be horned or polled.
Today Hog Island sheep are kept mainly by conservation breeders, living history farms, and small flocks interested in rare genetics. They are not a high-output meat breed, but they are thrifty, alert, and useful for demonstrating older low-input sheep husbandry. Secure fencing and calm handling help with their more primitive temperament. Because the surviving population is small, breeding plans usually emphasize verified ancestry, genetic diversity, and placement of animals in flocks committed to maintaining the island-derived line.
Colors: Badgerface, Black, Blackbelly, Broken, Brown, Gray, Grey, Gulmoget, Katmoget, Moorit, Piebald, Red, Roan, Silver, Solid, Spotted, Tan, White, White with Black Points, White with Brown Points
