There is a nip in the night air and the color on the distant mountains is turning from green to shades of red, orange, and gold. The change of season perpetuates the rhythms of farm life. One leads into the next. Time is marked by these rhythms and routines. Fall becomes “breeding season”, winter becomes “our slow time”, spring … Read More
I’ve been an empty nester for 2 years now. I homeschooled all three of my children and have launched them all into the world. My son, the youngest, is a junior in college. This time of year, I get a pit in the bottom of my stomach, knowing that the house will soon be empty again. Once the children are … Read More
With the sheep on pasture full time now, managing summer parasites becomes top priority on our farm. At this time of year, an over load of intestinal parasites is the primary cause of illness and even death in sheep, often effecting those with a compromised immune system, nursing ewes, or young lambs. I have found that the key to … Read More
It is weaning time and this little one is going to miss getting her bottle each day. Lisbeth was an unthrifty lamb from one of our triplet groups and is nearing weaning age. I never encourage bottle feeding in my flock as I feel that mum’s milk provides the best nutrition for the lambs. I would rather support the nursing … Read More
With summer on our heels, I have had many inquiries from people wanting to add sheep to their farms or homesteads. I thought I would bring this blog post, written a couple of years ago, to the forefront on tips for starting your first flock of sheep. Here are some of the typical questions new shepherds ask me. How many … Read More
