Devon Closewool Sheep: Health, Temperament, Care & Costs

The Devon Closewool is a traditional British sheep breed developed for grass-based production on Exmoor and surrounding areas. Breed groups describe it as a medium-sized, white-faced, polled sheep with stout legs, a dense fleece, and a notably quiet, manageable temperament. Adult ewes are commonly around 60 to 62 kg, while rams may reach about 100 kg, which converts to roughly 132 to 137 pounds for ewes and about 220 pounds for rams. In practice, many pet parents and small-flock keepers choose this breed because it is hardy, docile, and well suited to lower-input pasture systems.

For day-to-day care, Devon Closewools tend to fit best with pet parents who want calm sheep that handle routine flock life well. They are still sheep, though, so they need secure fencing, dry resting areas, regular hoof and wool care, and a flock setting rather than solo housing. Their dense fleece helps them cope with wet, cool weather, but it also means they need timely shearing and close skin checks during parasite season.

This is not a highly specialized intensive-production breed in the way some modern terminal lines are. Instead, the Devon Closewool is valued for balance: maternal ability, forage efficiency, hardiness, and an easygoing nature. That combination can make them a practical option for hobby farms, conservation grazing, and first-time sheep keepers working closely with your vet and local extension guidance.

Devon Closewool sheep are considered hardy, but they are still vulnerable to the same common flock health problems seen in many medium-wool sheep. Internal parasites are a major concern, especially gastrointestinal worms such as Haemonchus contortus in warm or humid conditions. Heavy parasite burdens can cause pale gums, weakness, bottle jaw, poor growth, and sudden decline. Foot problems are also common in damp environments. Footrot and other causes of lameness can spread through a flock and need prompt attention from your vet.

Other important risks include clostridial disease, caseous lymphadenitis, pregnancy toxemia in late-gestation ewes, and nutrition-related mineral problems. Merck notes that sheep are especially sensitive to copper toxicity, so feeds and mineral mixes made for goats, cattle, horses, or mixed livestock can be dangerous. Late-pregnant ewes carrying multiples are at higher risk for pregnancy toxemia if energy intake falls short, especially during bad weather, stress, or reduced feed access.

Because Devon Closewools are wool sheep, fleece and skin management matter too. Wet fleece, mud, and poor ventilation can increase the risk of external parasites, skin irritation, and missed wounds. Ask your vet for a flock health plan that includes fecal monitoring, vaccination timing, body condition scoring, hoof care, and breeding-season nutrition. Hardy breeds often hide illness until they are fairly sick, so early observation is one of the most useful tools a pet parent has.

The cost range to keep Devon Closewool sheep in the United States depends heavily on whether you already have fencing, shelter, and pasture. As a starting point, purchase cost for breeding-quality or registered rare-breed sheep often falls around $300 to $800 per ewe and $500 to $1,200 or more for a ram, with regional variation. Transport, quarantine setup, and biosecurity testing can add meaningful upfront costs for a new flock.

Annual care costs per adult sheep commonly run about $250 to $600 in a pasture-based system, and more if hay must be fed for long winters or drought. That range usually includes hay or pasture support, sheep-safe minerals, routine deworming based on your vet's plan, CDT-type vaccination programs, hoof trimming supplies or farm calls, and shearing. Shearing alone often runs about $20 to $45 per sheep, while routine farm-call veterinary exams may range from about $100 to $300 before diagnostics or treatment.

Infrastructure is where many first-time pet parents underestimate the budget. Secure woven-wire fencing, gates, feeders, water systems, and a dry loafing or lambing area can cost far more than the sheep themselves. If you are building from scratch, setup can range from a few thousand dollars for a very small flock to much more for larger acreage. A realistic plan includes emergency funds too, because lameness, parasite crashes, lambing problems, and predator injuries can raise costs quickly.

Devon Closewool sheep generally do well on a forage-first diet. Good pasture, grass hay, or mixed forage usually forms the foundation of the ration, with energy and protein adjusted for life stage. Merck notes that maintenance sheep often do well on forage containing roughly 7% to 9% crude protein and about 50% total digestible nutrients, but growing lambs, lactating ewes, and late-gestation ewes need more nutritional support. Clean water and free-choice salt are basic daily needs.

Mineral management is one of the most important safety points. Sheep need balanced minerals, including selenium, zinc, iodine, cobalt, calcium, and phosphorus, but they are much more sensitive to copper than many other livestock species. Use only sheep-formulated minerals unless your vet or a qualified nutrition professional recommends otherwise. If your area has known selenium deficiency or excess, your vet may suggest testing or a tailored supplementation plan.

Late pregnancy deserves special attention. Ewes carrying twins or triplets have less abdominal room for bulky forage and a higher energy demand, which raises the risk of pregnancy toxemia if intake drops. Body condition scoring, grouping ewes by stage of production, and adjusting feed before problems start can make a big difference. Any sudden feed change should be made gradually, because abrupt diet shifts can upset rumen function and increase the risk of digestive disease.

Devon Closewool sheep have a moderate activity level and usually get most of their exercise through grazing, walking pasture, and normal flock movement. They are not a high-strung breed, which is part of their appeal, but they still need enough space to roam, browse, and avoid crowding. Daily movement supports hoof health, body condition, rumen function, and mental well-being.

Pasture design matters as much as total acreage. Rotational grazing can help reduce parasite exposure, protect forage quality, and keep sheep moving naturally. Dry areas around feeders and waterers are especially helpful, because constant mud increases the risk of hoof disease and skin problems. If sheep are housed during severe weather, they still need room to stand, turn, lie comfortably, and access feed without excessive competition.

Handling should stay calm and predictable. This breed is known for being docile, but rough handling, chasing, and frequent stress can still lead to injuries, poor weight gain, and harder flock management. Quiet movement, good lane design, and flock companionship usually work better than force. If one sheep seems reluctant to walk, lags behind, or spends more time lying down, ask your vet to check for lameness, pain, anemia, or metabolic disease.

Preventive care for Devon Closewool sheep should be built around your region, pasture conditions, and flock goals. Core basics usually include quarantine for new arrivals, routine body condition scoring, hoof checks, shearing, fecal monitoring, and a vaccination plan developed with your vet. Merck emphasizes that prevention is usually less costly than treatment in sheep, especially for flock problems such as lameness, parasites, and clostridial disease.

A practical flock plan often includes CDT-style clostridial vaccination, strategic parasite control based on fecal egg counts or targeted selective treatment, and close monitoring of late-pregnant ewes. New sheep should be isolated before joining the flock so you can watch for abscesses, diarrhea, coughing, lameness, or parasite issues. Biosecurity also means cleaning equipment between animals and being careful with shared shears, feeders, and trailers.

Schedule regular reviews with your vet if you keep breeding animals or a rare breed flock. Ask about local risks such as footrot, caseous lymphadenitis, selenium imbalance, nasal bots, and regional parasite resistance. Call your vet promptly if a sheep stops eating, separates from the flock, becomes weak, shows pale eyelids, develops a swollen jawline, or struggles to stand. Sheep often look "quiet" before they look obviously sick, so early action matters.