Building A Small Farm | Sheep

in animals •  7 years ago 

In this update about building my dream farm, I share a little about the love of sheep!

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In my previous post Why I'm a Wannabe Farmer I talked about my dream of farming. In a nutshell; I'm to inherit 40 acres of land that's been left to go wild over three decades. The challenge? To move there and start a new, farming life. There are a few hurdles in the way that prevent any immediate move so over the coming two to three years, I'll be working the land and 'preparing', if you will, for our arrival.

So far, I've begun planting a 3.5 acre wildflower meadow, have young saplings growing at home for later transplant, have installed owl boxes, sown the beginnings of a brand new English bluebell grove, started to clear bramble thickets and undertaken a new project restoring and revitalizing a couple of old ponds.

The challenge and goal? Nurture the land back into life, both in terms of biodiversity and land fertility, so that when I'm given the green light to move and build a home, I can hit the ground running when it comes to launching the small farming business.

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My granddad was pretty old by the time I was able to toddle around the farmyard after him. Days of the vibrant farm were gone, with pigs and cattle memories of old. He did, however, still keep a small flock of about 30 sheep. Mostly Suffolks, with a few frenetic and flighty Jacobs thrown in. In those lambing days, you'd find my sister and I kitted out in our overalls and wellies and spending ALL our time in the sheds watching for babies or bottle feeding.

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Before my sister and I, it was my Dad feeding the orphan lambs.

And so it's rather unsurprising that I have every intention of keeping sheep on the farm. And to continue my granddad's work, and in keeping with our plan to have locally developed breeds, the majority will be Suffolks. One of the great thing about sheep is they pair beautifully with cattle (the real love of my life). Each animal grazes different lengths of grass, so they're perfect paddock companions.

Whilst I have memories of being around sheep, my sheep expertise is lacking - basically it's little to none. Unlike cows, I'm happy handling sheep, but in terms of actually rearing, looking after and fattening up for the butcher? Absolutely NO clue! However, that doesn't stop me cooing over them every year when I go to agricultural shows.

For instance, there's this smiling sheep...

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And then this lovely little mountain sheep that was interested in the camera...

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Then there are these sheep that look like badgers...

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And these ones that look like rabbits...

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There's lovely little Texel lambs...

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And then this magnificent Ram...

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I mean, PLEASE, you can see how hard it is to JUST PICK ONE! If money, space and time were no object, my farm would be like a Pix'n'Mix shop; one of every type. Buuuuuut, I can't do that (as I found out with my layer flock of hens) because you run out of space quickly and then have difficulty when you want to start breeding pens of specific breeds.

Until I can actually live at the farm, I'm trying to find some local cheap pasture that I might be able to run a few wethers on. This would give me handling and rearing experience, but not tie me down to year-round maintenance. Though, knowing me, I'd end up getting a few gimmers and ending up with a mini flock!

But, for now, I'll have to make do visiting shows and sheep-owning friends!

THANKS FOR READING - PLEASE CONSIDER UPVOTING, RESTEEMING AND REPLYING BELOW

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Your sheep pics are awesome (my favorites are the rabbit lookalikes), but what I really truly LOVE about this post is your second (actually third) paragraph, where you talk about planting wildflowers, installing an owl shelter, and revitalizing ponds. Are you sure you don't want to write some articles about these things? I mean, so many people dream of buying some property to farm, and then start out by forcing their ideas on the land. You on the other hand, seem to try to utilize all the natural wealth that has grown up there in the last decades of being left alone, wanting to make the most out of it. So beautiful to read these things. Great respect!

Thanks so much. I have a HUGE ethos about working with the land. I have written a piece about the wildflower meadow - it was about a week ago on my blog. And I've got some stories on the owlboxes, bluebell grove, ponds etc coming up. :)

I just found it. And since it's been less than a week, I gave it a good upvote. Looking forward to the upcoming ones!

Thank you! I appreciate that.

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Great post, I enjoyed the read.

I've been raising livestock for years, but just recently got into sheep as well within the past year. Its been a fun and interesting journey so far.

Have you considered haired sheep instead of the wool varieties? Katahdins are what I raise and they grow rather fast, are popular as a meat breed, and you don't have to worry about shearing them.

Aha, that's interesting. There's the wiltshire horned sheep as well which has a woolen coat but sheds it naturally. I haven't done a vast amount of research yet as it's probably still some time away - but good point!

Nice, I'll have to check them out. Best of luck to you on your ventures with getting everything ready with the farm!

Thank you!

The badger sheep I think are Balwen we kept Zwartbles who look very similar but have white socks, are much larger. they are naturally friendly , run towards you rather than away.They are also great mothers and milkers, sometimes used as dairy sheep.

I'm fairly sure they are Zwartbles - I'll have to find my notes. I don't recall the name Balwen and I know there were definitely Zwartbles there. Very interesting about the dairy aspect.

My first thought were Zwartbles but they looked a little short in the leg - could just be the photo - Zwartbles are great !!

They're very fun looking!

Nice work. These things just keep you attached with old memories and nature.

Totally true. Memories help create new memories. :D

Yup. I am following you now friend. Visit my blog if you are intrested in art

The great challenge is to continue, so you have my support

Thank you!

Wow wht a great story and challenge bringing a farm back to ship shape after that many years. What a wonderful thing to do! I LOVE sheep as well and have been thinking of some for fiber. I have never seen quaite a few that you had in this post. Loved your photagraphy, the mountian sheep and the badger looking ones are my favirote.

They are quite cute, aren't they?! Yep - it's a life's dream to get the farm back into a work condition but also to do everything possible on the site to make it a conservation hotspot.

Oh gosh! Those rabbit sheep! Don't tell my youngest daughter. I don't think I'd ever be able to slaughter a sheep that looks like that!

I know, it IS tough. I'm thankful for the abbatoir - load them up and off they go; you can pretend they've just gone off somewhere nice to live....

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