And so begins shepherding

I think I’ve always been a shepherd. Whether I knew it or not is another matter entirely.

Over the past few years my life as a livestock manager once again cemented my true love for sheep. I’ve heard all the protests - ‘Sheep are suicidal’ and ‘if there’s one aim in a sheep’s life, it’s to die’. And I agree to an extend because they do like to get into trouble, whether that’s stuck in some brambles or falling head first into a ditch. But you know, being a good shepherd is about preventing deaths if that does indeed happen. I’ve spent two years lambing, I’ve been covered in poop from dagging and shearing, I’ve read copious amounts (including this great handbook with a forward by UK icon Kate Humble), and I’ve loved every second of it.

Brimwood Farm’s mission statement is to protect and promote local rare breeds. This naturally leads my direction towards keeping the beautiful Norfolk Horn. These lovely sheep are a primitive breed and were brought back from the brink of extinction towards the end of the last century. Though there are now numerous flocks across the UK, they remain in the RBST’s ‘At Risk’ category.

Of course, I was overjoyed when my co-workers bought me a pair of these distinct looking gems as a leaving gift. Twins, one ram, one ewe. It was only a matter of time before the flock increased; for breeding purposes I needed more ewes. And as Cotton (my ewe lamb) is a lovely looking gimmer, I decided to source another ram from an unrelated blood line too.

So my flock currently consists of 4; 3 ewes and one ram lamb. My second ram lamb should be coming shortly and because I don’t want to miss out on lambing in 2021, I have already put feelers out for getting a few in-lamb Wiltshire horns come February. Despite my commitment to local rare breeds, I fell in love with Wiltshire Horns due to their sheer low maintenance. In the three years I cared for them, I only had to hoof trim once. They lamb super easily, even with breaches. They also shed their own wool. Though I do want some wool that I can offer to local artisans and spinners, the option to have some sheep I don’t have to shear is quite alluring. And the fact I also know where I can get fantastic stock from means it’s a no brainer. There is also a small chance (growing larger by the day), that I might take on some Jacobs from a friend who’s contemplating giving up her flock. My grandfather always kept a few jacobs, their wool is a commodity, they’re nice looking sheep and I also would like for my friend’s hard work in her flock these past years to continue.

Currently all the sheep on site are inside due to the reasons I set out in below’s video. However, the costs quickly rise with indoor living - straw for bedding, increased haylage etc. Not to mention the work required in mucking out and keeping them clean. So I’m excited to move them out onto pasture as quickly as possible.

With another principle of Brimwood Farm being regenerative agriculture and with lack of money for any actual fencing, I’ll be mob grazing with electric fencing all the way! It’s taken me a bit of time to get my head around electrics (I’m no tech expert) but using the VOSS electric system, which I highly recommend by the way, my poultry have been super safe so I’m going to follow suit with the sheep.

It’s a strange excitement … having your own sheep. I’ve worked with them for many years but I guess I’m a real shepherd now!