Sheep
noun. A large fluffy animal, fond of scritches, possessing a large wool coat, and able to bellow like a college freshman on game day when hungry. Note: sheep are always hungry.
In 2020 I made the decision to sell my then tiny farm and relocate to a larger property to enable my farm to grow. Unfortunately complications from a back injury during the extended move and COVID-related supply issues meant that what was supposed to be a brief transition ended up being a six month ordeal and the difficult decision was made to sell my flock to ensure they had the best of care and attention during uncertain times.
Almost two and a half years later, with the move finished, the barn (mostly) complete, and the first pasture hacked out of the woods, sheep are finally back on my farm in the spring of 2023.
The Flock
Where my original flock were purebred North Country Cheviot (and mix of registered and unregistered animals) I currently have a small gaggle of North County, a few odds and ends, and a single, impossibly loud, Border Leicester.
The Visitor Experience
All of the sheep are used to people and are quite curious. Visitors are easily able to provide scritches and pet many of the sheep. Lambs, when present are often quite active and although they can be held when younger, after about four weeks they are bundles of barely contained energy and have trouble staying still for long.
- Interactivity
Products
Given that I am largely starting from scratch again it will be some time before I am operating at even a small scale in terms of products. That being said, the sheep at Simply Ducky Farm do provide two products for sale.
Lamb
Previously I would have lamb available for sale. Processed locally, cut and wrapped to the buyer’s specifications. As my current priority is to grow my little flock in the next few years it likely will not be until 2025 before I am able to reliably take pre-orders again for lamb.
Please contact Brook Ridge Farm for all your lamb needs in the meantime. I can highly recommend the quality of their product.
Wool
For the health and comfort of the animals, every fiber sheep needs to be shorn at least once a year. As I am not handling or processing the wool from dozens (or hundreds!) of sheep I simply do not have wool in any reasonable volume to look at creating products from it.
I do however barter the wool each spring with interested local crafters and hobbiests. Typically each sheep will have a fleece substantial enough to fill a well packed 55lb feed bag.
For anyone interested in locally created wool products I would highly recommend contacting Brook Ridge Farm.