Why We LOVE Sheep!

Our Sweet "Gracie"

Years ago, when I was a young women, I wanted sheep.  I think it's every girls dream to raise sheep.  I mean, what's not to love about them?  So, in 2006 I was finally able to raise them, I wasn't a young women anymore, but I still had the desire and fortitude.  Thus began my journey with sheep.

I don't want to get into detail about how I purchased my original sheep or which breeds I started with, however it is important to note that I did want to end up with Jacob sheep as my main flock.

Sheep are incredibly smart animals, the bonds they form with one another and their shepherd are deep. People have to earn it though, they have to be trusted, gentle, and willing.  I am one such person, I'm very connected to my sheep.  I talk to them on a daily basis, study them, pet them, and hand feed them.  For a sheep, that entails a lot of trust, for a shepherdess, that entails a lot of love.

My sheep give me so much more than I give them in return.  They give me peace, love, pleasure and joy.  But they also give me meat, wool, compost and dairy.  

Handspinning is my joy.  It's meditative and calming.  When my world gets a bit out of kilter, I turn to my wheel, knitting or carding. It sets my world in perspective once again.  

The barn cleaning is also a huge bonus.  All sheep manure is readily available for use in a compost pile or to be directly sown into a garden, around trees & shrubs or made into manure tea instantly.  Sheep completely digest their food, thus any weed seeds that may be in the hay you feed them, are gone, completely.  The same goes for goats if you happen to raise them.  So, my sheep give me terrific compost which in turn gives me excellent food in my garden.  The better the soil, the more "good" amendments you put into it, the healthier the quality of your food.  I let my girls glean my garden at the end of the season, they've earned it. 

When I have a ewe that is producing too much milk for her one lamb, guess who gets to milk her?  If you've never had sheep milk or cheese, you're missing a phenomenal treat.  In my opinion, it's far superior to goat milk. 

Annually we cull two sheep for our freezer.........lamb is super healthy containing a great source of protein, iron and zinc.  It delivers a healthy dose of B12 and niacin. It is by far healthier for you than beef.  It's a red meat that packs it all!  I haven't had a cut of beef in six years.  I utilize the fat from the lamb for making our own tallow as well.  Ever had potatoes cooked in lamb tallow.............OMGosh!

In essence, we use the sheep "poo" for our own food, the wool for our clothing, the meat for our health.  What we receive in return from our woolies completes the circle.  We give them a clean barn, medical care and vitamins, love, attention and proper care all around.....daily!  Did I mention that I also market some of the fleece?  Yep, I make money by selling fleece to women who also like to spin.  I also sell lambs to good homes annually.

I posted this article to inspire others who may be thinking about raising animals.........sheep are the ultimate farm animal to have.  You reap so much from them..........trust, love, affection.  Also, the lil' lambs are pretty darn cute and so fun to watch!