The Hillgrove Babydoll stud moved to Roogulli Farm in February 2025. We jumped at the opportunity to continue in the footsteps of Janice and Chris Evans, Murray and Judy Peart, and the Metcalf family to work with the Hillgrove genetics to breed high quality Babydolls.
Small but mighty since 1921
Established in 1921, Hillgrove is renown for breeding a smaller style of Southdown with heavy muscling, a woolly head and a calm temperament from before the Babydoll breed was even thought of. The show successes achieved by Hillgrove over many decades point to the expertise of the Hillgrove breeders.
Hillgrove genetics have been used in all the early Babydoll flocks in Australia. If you look at the extended pedigrees of most Babydoll sheep, you will see Hillgrove. This is a testament to the consistency and quality of the Hillgrove breeding program.
The Babydoll breed name was formally adopted by Hillgrove and the Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association in 2020.
We are looking forward to breeding more Hillgrove Babydolls for use in Babydoll studs and as meaty little lawnmowers for small farms, vineyards and orchards.
Hillgrove genetics have been used in all the early Babydoll flocks in Australia. If you look at the extended pedigrees of most Babydoll sheep, you will see Hillgrove. This is a testament to the consistency and quality of the Hillgrove breeding program.
The Babydoll breed name was formally adopted by Hillgrove and the Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association in 2020.
We are looking forward to breeding more Hillgrove Babydolls for use in Babydoll studs and as meaty little lawnmowers for small farms, vineyards and orchards.
Looking at a Hillgrove maiden ewe soon after shearing reveals the superior structure, muscling and doing ability that we aspire to.
Gaucher Free
After an extensive DNA testing program in 2024 and 2025, the Hillgrove flock is now considered Gaucher Free.
Gaucher is a recessive genetic disorder that can spread undetected through a Southdown or Babydoll flock unless testing is done. Nobody knows where or when it began but it has been around for many decades. Lambs with two copies of the defective gene are stillborn or die soon after birth. Ewes carrying the gene appear to have more problems with pregnancy and unexpected deaths.
Gaucher is a recessive genetic disorder that can spread undetected through a Southdown or Babydoll flock unless testing is done. Nobody knows where or when it began but it has been around for many decades. Lambs with two copies of the defective gene are stillborn or die soon after birth. Ewes carrying the gene appear to have more problems with pregnancy and unexpected deaths.
Registration
The Hillgrove Babydoll flock is dual registered purebred with Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association (ASSBA) and Babydoll Sheep Breeders Australia (BSBA).