Beginning with Sheep

Quills and Chaos: Sammy's Porcupine Encounter

Hosts Kathy and Val catch up on life at the farm: Sammy the livestock guardian dog gets quilled by a porcupine and visits the ER, a juvenile porcupine is spotted near the sheep barn, nine growing chicks are thriving, and Kathy shares her first hoof‑trimming experiences plus updates on a new lamb and ram.The episode also reflects on the documentary Food Inc., discussing industrial food practices, the challenge of affordable healthy food, and the value of sourcing local, responsibly raised meat and produce.

One-Week Wonder: Our New Hybrid Lamb Steals the Spotlight, S2, Ep19

Hosts Kathy and Val share a relaxed farm update: recent rain, a one-week-old hybrid lamb (castration and naming dilemmas), horn injuries, and a new ram settling in. Kathy outlines her plan to learn hoof trimming—tools, harnessing, and safety tips—while they swap tips for handling horned sheep.They also discuss routine chores: mucking stalls (now easier with the tractor), guardian dog Sammy keeping predators away, hayfield weed issues including poisonous milkweed, and other ongoing tasks like skirting fleece and getting pelts tanned.

Tornadoes, Skunks, and New Rams: Life on the Jacob Farm

Hosts Kathy and Val discuss recent extreme weather in New England, ongoing drought concerns, and progress on hay and pasture management. They share updates from the farm, including a skunked livestock guardian dog and improvements to electric fencing.
The episode also covers livestock news: a six-hour ram swap bringing in a new horned ram named Rocco, the arrival of a new ewe that surprised them with a lamb, decisions about castration and breeding, and a cost-effective DIY livestock trailer built for transporting sheep.

Predators: When the Coop Became a Target, S2, E17

In this episode Kathy recounts a recent fox attack that killed four chickens, injured one, and exposed weaknesses in their electric fencing. She explains how they treated the wounded hen, secured the remaining birds, and are upgrading to a stronger energizer and hardware mesh to prevent digging and biting through the fence.The conversation covers options for dealing with the fox (shooting rules, licensed trappers), training their young livestock guardian dog Sammy, and the emotional ups and downs of farm life — including ordering replacement chicks and planning improvements to keep the flock safe.

From Weeds to Wool: Battling Toxic Plants and Pasture Problems, S2, E16

In this episode Kathy and Val discuss managing pastures for sheep, including dealing with toxic plants like milkweed and tower mustard, soil amendments such as liming, overseeding strategies, and practical pasture maintenance. They also cover livestock and dog health concerns, especially a severe tick problem in their area, and share tips for tick checks and removal.Along the way they touch on composting, using sheep manure as fertilizer, chick updates, and everyday farm priorities that shift as immediate problems arise.

Sheep, Shearing & Hamster-Wheel Energy: My First Jacob Sale, S2, E15

Hosts Kathy and Val talk farm updates — Kathy sold her first Jacob sheep and is waiting on more lambs — and recap the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival. They cover fiber mills, shearing methods (blades vs clippers), tipping practice, hoof trimming, FAMACHA scoring, and practical tools like stethoscopes and cameras for lambing.The episode also discusses pasture management, deworming strategies and resistance concerns, predator and tick issues, vaccination reminders (including rabies), and helpful tips for new shepherds.

Ram Swaps & Lamb Races: A Busy Day at Parker Farm Jacobs, S2, E14

On May 2, 2026, Kathy and Val share a farm update covering flock management, a successful merger of most sheep into the main flock, and plans for a ram swap that’s hit a few logistical snags with trailer rentals. They discuss quarantine plans, pasture rotations, and ongoing fencing work.They also prepare to sell and register a ram—covering weighing and an oral deworming (drench) procedure—and chat about livestock guardian dog Sammy, chicken and chick care, a dramatic hawk encounter, and a pending grant application.

From Cuddles to Clinic: My First Ram Lamb Castration and a Vet Visit

In this episode Kathy and Val share a busy weekend of hands-on farming: Kathy recounts her first attempt at banding a ram lamb, a worrying post-procedure scare, and the vet visit that followed (including treatment with banamine and recovery). They also discuss applying for an American Lamb Board grant, updates on chickens and fresh eggs, changing weather and pasture management, and practical small-farm takeaways for new shepherds.

Ram Boom: Why Are All My Lambs Male?

Farm update covering new lambs (including a surprise birth), a first attempt at castration, and a broody hen successfully adopting three chicks.
The hosts discuss research suggesting pasture diet enriched with polyunsaturated fats for one month prior to conception can skew lamb sex ratios toward males and consider management steps to influence future breeding.
 
 

Sick Days & Sheep: Farming Through Illness, S2, E11

Kathy and Val talk about managing a sheep flock while recovering from illness, emphasizing the importance of community help and having a vet on call.They discuss grazing and hay challenges, an unusual run of ram lambs possibly linked to drought, a potential first sale of a two-horned ram, and Kathy's new Sheep Production Handbook.The episode closes with practical advice on safe restraint and shearing trials, plus where to find them online.