Farm Practices

Adult sheep are vaccinated for CD & T approximately four weeks prior to lambing. Hooves are checked and any necessary foot care is done in Spring before lambs are born. FAMACHA scoring and fecal egg counts are utilized as tools to manage parasites. We only deworm flock members who require it.  Careful health records are maintained to assist in selecting breeding stock.

Pasture-Raised Feeding Program

At Double Ewe Farm, we utilize a forage-based, pasture-raised system. We have approximately 40 acres of pasture divided into 15 separate grazing paddocks. Pastures are composed of red clover, meadow fescue, alfalfa, and native grasses.

Grazing pastures are fenced using woven wire and electric fence to keep predators out. Donkeys graze alongside the sheep to help protect them from marauding coyotes and stray dogs.

We work closely with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) implementing a managed grazing plan. We utilize planned livestock rotation through various paddocks to prevent over-grazing of existing plants, improve soil fertility, decrease soil erosion, and reduce parasite loads.

In Spring and Summer sheep range paddocks relaxing under large walnut trees or enjoying the cool shade of the birch and oak forests on warm days. As days become shorter and Fall turns to Winter, sheep move into pastures where frost-free water and straw-bedded shelter are readily available.

Fall and Winter pastures consist of stock-piled grasses and alfalfa, as well as turnips and radishes. Locally-grown baled forage is also fed during Winter and early Spring. With the first warm Spring days, hardy rye grass starts to grow and pregnant ewes eagerly nibble at tender shoots. Visit the lambs page to learn more about our favorite time of year!