Do Soay Sheep always shed?
No. Very often ewes that have not lambed do not shed. The current thinking is that hormones and body condition control shedding. In our own flock we have found ewes that did not lamb, sometimes did not shed. For their comfort in the summer heat, where our temperatures often reach 100 F or higher, we roo (hand pluck) them or have them shorn. The removal of retained fleece is also advisable in areas where fly-strike is problem.
