Wensleydale Sheep
Wensleydales are a native British breed of domestic sheep that didn’t arrive in the US until the 90’s. They are one of the largest and heaviest of sheep averaging 250-300 lbs, making them quite striking in a field. Their stately stature is accentuated by lustrous, long curly locks of wool that hang in distinct ringlets. Wool ranges from white, and grey, to inky black. Fleeces from Wensleydales are among the highest quality of all sheep breeds. Their wool is kemp-free and high luster of exceptional staple length. Fleece from this breed performs well for spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting, and dying.
A few years ago, we brought home a couple of wethers intending to keep our flock very small. It’s amusing to remember our naivety because since then, we’ve become a bit addicted. We primarily use the sheep to keep the fields clipped and fertilize the vineyard and the gardens. Our farm also utilizes the flock to produce a small amount of yarn and mutton each year. Often we find ourselves wandering through the fields just to hang out with them. They are curious, warm, and oh-so mischievous. We really love our sheep.
Ancona Ducks
Ancona ducks are an American heritage breed. They are good egg layers, great meat birds, and excellent foragers. Often, they are described as “little cows” being white and black, brown, grey, or lavender spotted. They are calm, hardy, relatively friendly, and flightless.
We let the ducks roam our 20 acres freely in hopes that they devour every slug and snail they find. They root around in the dirt, providing some weed management as well as fertilizing everywhere they go. They talk constantly, yelling for peas, chatting with friends, or freely offering judgment on any of our activities. We always have an excessive amount of ducks and zero intention of remedying it.
Cotton Patch Geese
Cotton Patch geese are a heritage American goose originally found in the South. Their name stems from their use of weeding cotton and corn fields until the 50’s. They are a medium-weight landrace goose, varying in appearance dependent on lineage and area of the country. They can tolerate fluctuations in weather well and are decent flyers.
Geese were never part of the plan but after a couple years of chats with a fellow farmer, we hesitantly brought some home. We’re now obsessed. These birds rival the sheep with grass management and keep the gardens free from some of the nastier weeds. Their meat is flavorful and lean. They are impossibly loud and offer their thoughts freely and often. Our geese thrive on routine, and when something or someone (human or animal) throws it off, they rush over to share their distaste. They hate fun and we’re always amused at how much energy they spend trying to keep the ducks from partying. Despite their curmudgeon ways they freely eat from our hands and will settle next to us in the field while we sit with a glass of wine.
