Diary of a Sheep Dairy Farmer

Our first lambing group of the year has wrapped up and the results aren't terrible but I had an unusual amount of single lambs born. Today I talk about why this may have happened and what I think contributed to the resulting singles in my flock.

So far the lambing has gone smoothly, it's everything else that has been chaotic. Week one of lambing updates; what we're got, how we're doing and what's to come. Sorry this is a day late. For some reason my scheduling app did not work.

Lambing is right around the corner and it's time to get ready.  Here is a look into what I keep on hand for lambing season, complied over the last 10+ years.   Colostrum Milk replacer Electrolytes Portable blender Heat pad/cover/bed Blankets 8-way with CD&T Dewormer Syringes Needles RFID tags/tagger Tags for lambs/tagger Heat lamps/bulbs Rubber rings/bander M ear notcher Scale/harness Gloves T...

Today we talk about why I use terminal breeding groups with first time lambers.

New year, new me and new ideas! Welcome back to Diary of a Sheep Dairy Farmer and all the chaos that comes with it.  Today I will be talking about what happened in 2025 - why I disappeared, and what you can expect from me in 2026.  

Ever had a break out? Had more than one ram jump the fence and breed some ewes and now you're left wondering who's daddy? What are your options when it comes to finding out who dad is? What are your options when it comes to breeding those surprise ewe lambs later if you chose to keep them? Today I talk about some of those options available to you when your rams get loose in the flock and you don't...

I do not like bottle feeding if i don't have to, so if I have a ewe that could take a lamb, I will do everything in my power to get that ewe to take that lamb - even if it is not their own. Today I talk about how I manage fostering orphan lambs, or getting a ewe to accept her own rejected lamb.

Lambing is in full swing on the farm, so let's talk lambing "kits" and supplies. What's in your kit? What's on your supply list? What do you have that I don't have? www.youtube.com/@hiddenhollowsheepdairy My Lambing Supply List: Colostrum Milk replacer Electrolytes Portable blender Heat pad/cover/bed Blankets Covexin 8 Dewormer Syringes Needles RFID tags/tagger Tags for lambs/tagger Heat lamps/bul...

I am back for season two year two of Diary of a Sheep Dairy Farmer. Let's make this year a good one. Today I am doing a short-ish recap of what's been going on since my last episode and stay tuned for next week when I dive into lambing and all that it entails.

Ever wonder what makes milk sheep different from meat sheep? Today Becca outlines a few of those differences.  It is not a definitive list by any means but it is a start.

Breeding season is right around the corner for many of us. Today Becca talks about what it takes to keep a ram of your own, and some alternatives if having your own ram just isn't possible.

The question that seems to follow after You can milk sheep? Today Becca decides to answer with a few products that can be made from sheep milk.    

Today Becca talks about crossing breeding dairy sheep and why it's done. www.facebook.com/hiddenhollowsheepdairy www.instagram.com/hiddenhollowsheepdairy www.youtube.com/hiddenhollowsheepdairy  

Today Becca talks about some of the controversial things she does on her sheep farm that work for her, may not work for everyone, but always seem to raise some eyebrows. Who else does some head turning things on their farm that works for them but others think they are strange for doing?

One again Becca let's you in on the mistakes she has made when drying off ewes and what has worked for her when drying off during milking and when she is just letting the ewes raise lambs.

Today Becca talks with Candice Christensen of Capped Mountain Farms about allergies, the benefits of sheep milk, and what goes on around Candice's homestead. To reach out and talk to Candice: email: candiceleesays@gmail.com   To reach out and talk to Becca: email: hiddenhollowidaho@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiddenhollowsheepdairy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiddenhollow...

Today Becca talks weaning lambs because that is what she has been doing and is gearing up to do some more of. She'll talk some do's and don'ts of weaning and let you in on the mistakes she has made over the years.

Today Becca talks about older ewes, reminiscing about some of her favorites on the farm and what you should be looking for in your older ewes that will determine if they should be bred and therefore milked.

Today Becca talks about how her spring lambing group went. What went wrong and what went right and how the numbers added up and compared to the late winter lambing.

Today Becca discusses out of season breeding. Why do we do it and how do we do it?

Today Becca talks with Olivia Fox from Crafty Fox Acres about her plans for a micro sheep dairy and her involvement in the North America Dairy Sheep Association. Come join us as we talk all things dairy sheep.     You can contact me at: hiddenhollowidaho@gmail.com And follow me on: https://www.instagram.com/hiddenhollowsheepdairy https://www.facebook.com/hiddenhollowsheepdairy www.youtube.com/@hid...

Today Becca spends a little time talking about what she looks for in a potential ram lamb. Since 99% of ram lambs born will be wethered, it takes a special kind of ram to make the grade.   Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenhollowsheepdairy Intragram: https://www.instagram.com/hiddenhollowsheepdairy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiddenhollowsheepdairy    

In the middle of the second go round of lambing Becca talks about replacement ewe lambs and what she looks for in a good milking ewe lamb.

Today Becca talks about milking. How do you decide when to start? When are you going to milk? What do you do with the lambs? I'll answer all these questions and more.

Today Becca talks about record keeping.  This always seems to be a hot topic, so today she'll dive into how she keeps her sheep straight and the flock on tract.