Sheep are a recent addition to our farm family.  We read an article several years ago extolling the virtues and beauties of Icelandic Sheep.  We thought that it might be interesting someday (mind you, we were living happily in the heart of Seattle at the time).  Then karma came into play.  The woman we bought our llamas from sold some other llamas to another woman.  We learned that the new llama owner was also buying Icelandic Sheep.  Months went by until Linda inquired how the Icelandic Sheep were working out.  The sheep were fine but there were too many for them to care for at the time.  We thought about it some and decided that we could take a few -- 5 ewes and 2 rams as it turned out.
 
 

Icelandic Sheep are valued for their multiplicity of uses.  They thrive on grass alone.  The lambs are born relatively small, so pasture lambing is possible.  The naturally colored wool fleece is valued by handspinners, knitters and weavers.  Lambs, especially unneeded rams, can be sold for their light flavored, lean gourmet meat.  (This lamb is really delicious!! ) The ewes can also be milked after the lambs are weaned and the milk used for yogurts and cheeses. We hope to do this at some time in the future.  The horns of both sexes can be used for natural buttons or other decorative uses.  (By the way, the horns are very handy when you need to hold on to a sheep.)   We may not get involved in every aspect of sheep keeping, but there is plenty to keep us busy.  In 2002 we will have organically raised lamb and fleece available for purchase.  We are also preparing a few lamb pelts as well.  

Breeding stock, yearling lambs, and weaned lambs are available for sale.
 

In the picture of a ram below, you can see the long, curly outer fleece.  Because mills can't handle longer fleeces and it is easier to handle shorter fibers, this breed of sheep are shorn twice a year.

Yes, it does snow in our area, but this was a late winter storm in 2001 that brought us 10 inches!  Overall though, 2001 turned out to be a severe drought in our area.

To see our remaining 2001 lambs now bred for May/June lambing, click right here  LAMBS .   The 2002 lambs are shown at 2002 Lambs.  The 2003 lambs will be posted in June/July.

To see our available fleeces, click right here  Icelandic Fleece .