Beginning with Sheep

Scour Like a Boss: Beginner Wool Washing on the Farm Ep. 19

Hosts Kathy and Val share a cozy farm update—cold weather, the first snowfall, playful lambs, and Kathy’s recovery progress—then dive into a beginner-friendly wool-washing experiment inspired by Mary Egbert’s book, “The Art of Washing Wool, Mohair & Alpaca.”
The episode covers practical tips for skirting, water temperature and pH, soap-to-water ratios, avoiding agitation to prevent felting, and Kathy’s successful small-batch wash using "Unicorn Power Scour," plus next steps for removing vegetable matter and preparing fiber for spinning.

Saving the Jacobs: Breeding Strategies to Protect a Rare Sheep Breed Ep. 18

Hosts Kathy and Val recap a Jacob Sheep Breeders Association webinar with the Livestock Conservancy, covering what defines a breed, differences between U.S. and U.K. Jacob lines, conservation-minded breeding strategies (line-breeding vs. outcrossing), and the importance of registration and monitoring inbreeding coefficients.They also share farm updates — managing rams, a growing livestock guardian puppy, chicken care questions, and upcoming plans to skirt and wash fleeces while exploring the science behind fiber washing.

Jubilee’s Farm Soap Opera: Rams on the Loose Ep. 17

In this episode we share a wintry New England farm update: Jubilee is in heat, rams caused barn damage trying to reach her, and the team is rearranging pens and planning repairs while monitoring whether she’s been bred.We discuss seven-week-old ram lambs due for vaccinations, limited hay and pasture management, a growing puppy, arriving rat boxes, and upcoming educational events and product plans like wool dryer balls.Lots of holiday busyness, learning-by-doing, and the theme of progress-not-perfection as the shepherds navigate breeding decisions, farm logistics, and future sales possibilities.

Sweet 16 Farm Update: Snow, Ticks & Tiny Lambs Ep. 16

Hosts Val and Kathy share a quick farm update: early snow on the mountains, a finished electrified pasture, tagged lambs, and a new dryer-ball DIY project made from fleece. They also discuss shearing plans and upcoming Jacob Sheep Breeders events.
The episode focuses heavily on tick problems and solutions — from plant-based repellents and safety for dogs to local tick-borne diseases like Powassan and the newer alpha-gal meat allergy — plus practical advice on tick checks and quick antibiotic treatment after bites.
They wrap up with notes on online fiber classes, concerns about guardian dog coat care, supply delays for rat boxes, and where to follow or contact the farm for more info.

Puppy Patrol and Pasture Plans: A Week on the Sheep Farm Ep. 15

Hosts Kathy and Val catch up on farm life, sharing light-hearted updates about a new guardian puppy, fencing progress, and the everyday rhythms of sheep and chickens.They discuss tick prevention, pasture and ram-lamb decisions (including Hescock-line Jacobs), shearing concerns, and the practical joys and challenges of keeping a small flock.

Rams, Bears & a Growing Guardian Pup: This Week on the Farm

Episode 14 brings a concise farm update: a Komondor livestock guardian pup is thriving, lambs are enjoying their first time out, and the Blue Cochins won’t start laying until next year. The hosts discuss ram safety concerns, plans for a ram shield or rehoming, and arranging butchering and transport.Predator pressure is a major theme — bears, coyotes and bobcats have been active — so the episode covers electric fencing, deterrents (strobe lights, alarms, peanut-butter baiting), securing barn access, critter cams and other practical steps to protect the flock. The show closes with notes on gear, trailer options, and the host’s recovery progress.

Surprise Lambs & Ram Shields — Beginning with Sheep Ep. 13

Episode 13 covers a week on the farm: weather and pasture struggles, a new guardian puppy learning to signal, broody hens, and fence work to separate rams and ewes. Kathy also updates listeners on two three-week-old ram lambs (including one with fused horns) and managing them in the flock.The main topic is CD&T vaccination: what the vaccine protects against, typical dosing schedules, and updated recommendations when dams were not pre-vaccinated. The hosts also discuss ram shields, cast care tips, and plans for future episodes on rats and ram behavior.

Broken Ankle, Baby Lambs & Rat Drama — Beginning with Sheep Ep.12

Episode 12 brings a full farm update: the host is healing from a broken ankle with help from friends, expecting the first eggs soon, dealing with a rat problem (considering rat boxes), and babysitting a playful puppy. On the sheep front, ram lamb Patrick is being aggressive and may be sent for processing, Jubilee's twins are thriving and receiving CD&T shots, and the host considers options for castration, shearing, and tanning hides.The episode also covers sheep reproduction basics: estrus lasts 15–45 hours (commonly 24–36), the estrous cycle averages about 17 days, breeding typically occurs before ovulation, sperm can survive ~30 hours, and ovulation happens ~24–27 hours after heat starts. Seasonal breeding, out-of-season breeding techniques, and breed and condition factors affecting fertility are also discussed.

Surprise Twin Lambs and Emergency Tube-Feeding on the Farm: Ep. 11

Today’s episode covers a full farm update: a finished roof with skylights, reopening stalls, and plans to install feeders and waterers after construction.Kathy describes a surprise set of twin lambs — one healthy and one possibly blind — including emergency tube-feeding, concerns about missed vaccinations, and decisions about docking and castrating.We also hear about puppy training and messy adventures, a fleece workshop with spinning notes, plans to wash and skirt fleeces, and ideas for making DIY dryer balls and learning brioche knitting.

Puppy Protector: Training Sam, the Livestock Guardian — Ep. 10

In Episode 10 Kathy and Val catch up on life at the farm: introducing Sam, a growing livestock guardian puppy undergoing training, ongoing barn roof repairs and new breeding flocks, and concerns about regional drought and hay supplies.They also discuss watching Common Ground, a documentary on regenerative agriculture, and reflect on practical farm challenges and solutions.