We've been raising sheep since before we bought our farm in 2012, but it wasn't until the fall of 2013 that we started our Icelandic flock with three ewes - Ellie (left) , Finn (middle) and Berrit (right).
They are all full-blooded Icelandics registered with the Canadian Sheep Breeders' Association.
Icelandic sheep are known for their hardiness and triple-purpose - wool, meat and milk. Because we run a 100% grassfed operation here, it was very important to us to pick a hardy breed of sheep that could succeed on grass forage and hay alone. So far these three have proved more than capable.
Elli
WPW B5P Elli 64A, [CAN] 699283 was born on 4/20/2013 out of Eva 6456324 and AI ram Rektor 00889. Elli is a strong spirit who is first to come and investigate me for treats, and will push her way to the front of the crowd, but will respectfully eat out of my hand.
Elli delivered twin lambs in 2014, one ewe, one ram. Unfortunately we did not find the ram immediately. I am not sure if he was born dead or died shortly after due to hypothermia - the weather the week my ewes lambed was nasty - rainy and cool. Her remaining ewe lamb thrived under her mama's careful attention, becoming the biggest lamb in our flock that year. Her ewe lamb went to market in the fall of 2014.
Elli was not bred for spring 2015 lambs. In the fall of 2015 Elli was bred to Essex, a Gotland ram of Namekagon Valley Farm in Hayward, WI. Spring of 2016 she delivered triplet ewe lambs, all jet black. She raised all three ewes successfully (nursed all 3!). These ewes all went to market in the fall of 2016.
In the fall of 2016 Elli was once again bred to Essex of Namekagon Valley Farm. In the spring of 2017 she birthed triplets again - two males and one female, all jet black. The first male was unfortunately stillborn and was not fully developed. The remaining ewe and ram lamb have thrived and are currently available for sale or lease.
Finn
WPW 01P Finn 62A, [CAN] 699289 was born on 5/17/2013 out of Freyja 606525 and Oskar 675555. Finn is a "middle child," often hanging behind Elli and Berrit until she is sure the coast is clear. She, also, will respectfully eat out of my hand.
In 2014 Finn delivered twin lambs unassisted, one ram and one ewe. It was damp and cold when they were born and I had to take the ewe lamb inside to warm her up (hindsight - I should have taken both lambs!). After I returned her, Finn did not want to accept the ewe lamb; however, 'Lil Liza as we called her would not give up on her mama. In between bottle-feeding her Liza would sneak in behind her mama while her brother was nursing. I only bottled her for a few days until she refused to take any more bottles from me, preferring instead to sneak from her mama. Both lambs went to market in the fall of 2014.
Finn was not bred for spring 2015 lambs. In the fall of 2015 Finn was bred to Essex, a Gotland ram of Namekagon Valley Farm in Hayward, WI. Spring of 2016 she delivered twins, one ram, one ewe, Flinn and Flonn, which we have kept in our flock and are currently available for lease or sale. They are badger-faced with white wool and black legs and bellies. They are much friendlier than their mother, although respectful as well. They will come up for scratches, but aren't quite as friendly as Berrit's.
In the fall of 2016 Finn was once again bred to Essex of Namekagon Valley Farm. In the spring of 2017 she birthed twins - one ram, one ewe. Sadly the ewe was stillborn. The remaining ram lamb (spitting image of Flonn, badger face with white wool/black legs/belly) has thrived and is currently available for sale through Namekagon Valley Farm.
Berrit
WPW M25P Berrit 61A [CAN] 699285 was born on 5/10/2013 out of Bjork 634416 and Rolf 686912. Berrit is a real sweetie and the most curious out of my three purebred Icelandic ewes. She will follow me anywhere willingly, especially if she sense I have any treats. I adore her moorit grey fleece.
Berrit delivered twin ewe lambs in the spring of 2014. It was rainy and cold, and I took both lambs in the house to warm them up. Berrit accepted them both despite their start with me and was a great mama with lots of milk. Both lambs went to market in the fall of 2014.
Berrit was not bred for spring 2015 lambs. In the fall of 2015 she was bred to Essex, a Gotland ram of Namekagon Valley Farm in Hayward, WI. Spring of 2016 she delivered twins, one ram, one ewe, Birch and Bree, which we have kept in our flock and are currently available for lease or sale. They are both black, with some of the Gotland grey on their hind end. They are the friendliest sheep in the flock, and Bree willl follow you around like a dog, betting to be pet.
In the fall of 2016 Berrit was once again bred to Essex of Namekagon Valley Farm. In the spring of 2017 she birthed twins - two ram lambs, jet black. They are currently for sale through Namekagon Valley Farm.
