PART TIME HOMESTEADING

The summer 2022 we decided Sheep would be our next livestock to bring to the 3 acre homestead. We wanted something for milk, meat and something that wouldn’t cost a lot to feed.

First we needed to make some space for them, so we turned a part of our small barn into a holding pen area about 18 x 20 for the nights and days of very bad weather. Then we made a holding pen about 100 x 50 outside for them on days that we couldn’t move them around the yard.

We got our very first 2 ewes ( female sheep) and had them bred, we couldn’t wait to start milking and have some baby lambs around. We got pretty lucky and got to watch both lambs on the same day give birth to twins, we ended up with 2 ewes from one and 1 ram and 1 ewe from the other and just like that we had 6 sheep.

I’ve always wanted to start rotational grazing trying to regenerate the land. And since we have already had a energizer and used the chick fencing for broilers and layers we decided to buy this fence > Premier 1 Sheep Fence.

Once we started doing rotational grazing, we realized we could have our sheep out in the field for most of the spring and summer without having to buy hay. This also meant less time spent mowing the lawn, while still being able to produce our own raw sheep milk and lamb meat right in our backyard. But don’t think it’s all just a walk in the park – there’s a lot of work involved in moving the electric fence and energizer every 2-3 days. On top of that, we bring our sheep into the barn every night because there are plenty of predators in our area, like bears, coyotes, bobcats, and foxes. It just feels safer to have them in the barn overnight.

It is incredibly fulfilling to be involved in this type of work, as it allows us to connect more deeply with the food we consume. Understanding the process of how our food is made and gaining insight into the ingredients used is an invaluable part of this journey. By delving into the origins and production methods, we can cultivate a greater appreciation for the effort and care that goes into creating the meals we enjoy. This knowledge empowers us to make informed choices about the food we consume, ultimately contributing to our overall well-being and satisfaction.

We used a left over A frame tractor from out broilers and use them for shade and shelter for not as nice days and it works. This year we have planned to make a larger structure i’ll share later.

>You can watch them grazing Here <

Going into 2024 we had a quart of milk a day from the sheep, we made cheese, pudding and more. We have sold the buck and butchered and older sheep ending up with 60 lbs of mutton and we now have hopefully 3 pregnant lambs and one to be bred later in the season.

How do you raise sheep in your backyard, by paying attention to the animals daily and giving them the best your property has for them. During the winter we let them out into the holding pen area with local hay and in the spring, summer and some of fall they get fresh grass. Its not a big fancy farm, but that’s why its homesteading anyone can do it.