WHY MILK SHEEP?
Sheep milk is much superior to the milk from goats and cows for cheese making, mild, and delicious! It contains higher amounts of fat, solids, and protein than goat or cow's milk. It is also naturally homogenized, meaning the cream does not separate (for a few days, that is!) We make both cow and sheep cheeses, and there is an incredible difference in the milk to cheese ratio of each. There is very little whey left over when crafting sheep cheese. The cheese is mild in flavor unless it is aged. Sheep milk yogurt is incredibly creamy and thick. Sheep milk is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, and is often tolerated by those who cannot process cow's or even goat's milk.
Sheep milk can also be frozen for up to a year without losing much of its cheese-making qualities.
Rideau Arcott, Lacaune, East Friesian, Border Leicester & Finn Sheep.
Our sheep are very well socialized, they are full of personality, smart, and just plain enjoyable to have on a farm! Perhaps that's why we've raised them for nearly 20 years and enjoyed (almost) every minute! If you are looking for a versatile animal for your farm or property, you've come to the right place. We think highly of our sheep here at HHF and in general, of all of the possibilities that sheep allow. What could be better than an animal that can give you beautiful soft wool, meat, AND very nutritious milk, is small and friendly, and mows and fertilizes as it goes? In our opinion, nothing! :-)
Our breeding program is focused on over-all milk/lamb/meat/wool production qualities and hardiness. We also emphasize on personality and docility. (Because nothing is worse than trying to milk an ill-tempered sheep every day, believe me!)
We only breed polled (hornless) sheep. Tails are docked with rubber elastrator rings 48 hrs after birth for health sanitary purposes, at which time lambs also receive a CD&T vaccine to protect them from the diseases which they are most susceptible to.
Rideau Arcott are ideal hobby farm animals, as they are very versatile. Because of their high milk yields, Rideau Arcott are generally used for dairying, but they also have nice wool, are fast growing and muscled, and make excellent lawn mowers. They normally produce twins, triplets, or quads; are easy lambers and great mothers. Their hardiness and versatility makes them great for small properties. They weigh from 130-200 lbs.
East Fresian - considered to be the heaviest milking breed of sheep in the world. The Holstiens of sheep dairy!
Ewes are prolific and motherly, very docile. Wool quality varies from medium to coarse, some can be quite full of lanolin and ratty depending on the line. EF are known for the challenges that extreme milk production presents, they tend to be fragile and susceptible to worms. We like to keep our flock around 50% EF or less.
Lacaune The Lacaune is a French breed of dairy sheep. In France, the Lacaune breed has been rigorously selected for improved milk production. Annual genetic improvement for milk yield is 2.4 percent. The Lacaune is the breed used to produce France's famous Roquefort cheese. In fact, it is the only breed whose milk can be used to make Roquefort cheese. As compared to the East Friesian, the Lacaune is a hardier breed of dairy sheep. They give birth to fewer lambs and produce less milk, but their milk is higher quality, giving better cheese yields. The Lacaune has very little wool on its head, legs, and a good portion of its belly are bare. I love this breed for their size and structure.
Finnsheep are small and very prolific for their size! They are known for having large litters, sometimes up to 7 at a time. They are small and easy to handle, (a little more than knee-high) and are a great choice for those with small pastures. They are resistant to pregnancy toxemia, and are easy lambers. Their fleece is very soft and silky and prized for spinning. Tail docking is not necessary because of their naturally short tails, and they are polled.
Our breeding program is focused on over-all milk/lamb/meat/wool production qualities and hardiness. We also emphasize on personality and docility. (Because nothing is worse than trying to milk an ill-tempered sheep every day, believe me!)
We only breed polled (hornless) sheep. Tails are docked with rubber elastrator rings 48 hrs after birth for health sanitary purposes, at which time lambs also receive a CD&T vaccine to protect them from the diseases which they are most susceptible to.
Rideau Arcott are ideal hobby farm animals, as they are very versatile. Because of their high milk yields, Rideau Arcott are generally used for dairying, but they also have nice wool, are fast growing and muscled, and make excellent lawn mowers. They normally produce twins, triplets, or quads; are easy lambers and great mothers. Their hardiness and versatility makes them great for small properties. They weigh from 130-200 lbs.
East Fresian - considered to be the heaviest milking breed of sheep in the world. The Holstiens of sheep dairy!
Ewes are prolific and motherly, very docile. Wool quality varies from medium to coarse, some can be quite full of lanolin and ratty depending on the line. EF are known for the challenges that extreme milk production presents, they tend to be fragile and susceptible to worms. We like to keep our flock around 50% EF or less.
Lacaune The Lacaune is a French breed of dairy sheep. In France, the Lacaune breed has been rigorously selected for improved milk production. Annual genetic improvement for milk yield is 2.4 percent. The Lacaune is the breed used to produce France's famous Roquefort cheese. In fact, it is the only breed whose milk can be used to make Roquefort cheese. As compared to the East Friesian, the Lacaune is a hardier breed of dairy sheep. They give birth to fewer lambs and produce less milk, but their milk is higher quality, giving better cheese yields. The Lacaune has very little wool on its head, legs, and a good portion of its belly are bare. I love this breed for their size and structure.
Finnsheep are small and very prolific for their size! They are known for having large litters, sometimes up to 7 at a time. They are small and easy to handle, (a little more than knee-high) and are a great choice for those with small pastures. They are resistant to pregnancy toxemia, and are easy lambers. Their fleece is very soft and silky and prized for spinning. Tail docking is not necessary because of their naturally short tails, and they are polled.
My very first dairy sheep, "Grace!"