Sheep

Our large flock of Katahdin sheep graze the same pastures on the north end of our farm that are used by the chickens and cattle. The sheep are allowed to graze freely, but always rest at night within their electrified net wire fence.  This fencing (~ 1/4 acre) is moved approximately once a week so the sheep will always have fresh, clean grass each evening for grazing and bedding. This also ensures their manure and urine is not concentrated in one area for soil health.   

The sheep have two forms of predator protection: The electric fencing and our Livestock Guardian Dogs, Lulu, Bailey, & Jimmie Lee. Our dogs stay with them every night and keep an eye on them during the day as they roam the pasture.           

The sheep enjoy many of the same plants as our cattle, but they have preference to some weeds over grasses which is great for weed management throughout our pasture.  Additionally, sheep and cattle do not share the same parasites, so they actually clean up after and protect each other.  

Did you know we started with 12 ewes and 1 ram in July of 2020? As of Dec 12, 2023, we have 128 head onsite not counting all the rams we’ve sold in the meanwhile. We plan to continue selling rams as breeders and for freezer meat. We’ll continue to hold on to our ewe lambs until we have 150 to 200 bred ewes on property. At this rate, like the little monkey said when he got his tail cut off, “It won’t be long now!”