Sheep’s milk is a thing?

Adventures on the farm

As we looked at our new adult ewe, who we named “churro,” because she’s cinnamon colored and we are big dessert fans, I saw her udder was very full having recently weaned her own lamb when we brought her home this week. So I researched sheep’s milk. Katadin hair sheep are a meat breed, however, for a small hobby farm, you can breed your ‘milkier’ ewes to create a dual purpose breed providing a pint to a quart of sheep’s milk per day from each mama. That doesn’t sound like much milk for a family of 6, unless you consider that because sheep’s milk is so dense in “good fats,” protein, and solid milk particles it is unique in that you can freeze it, add to it each day, and use it to make yogurt, cheese, butter and dairy products when you accumulate what you need.

So, we had to find out; would churro let me milk her? We don’t have a milk stand yet, no milk parlor to keep things sanitized for human consumption, nor any of the tools to prepare the milk like strainers or cheese cloth. But we did have 3 of us, Josie, Bruce, and I, with a leash so we marched forward. Iona was free to wander around the coop causing trouble while we focused on attempting to milk Churro. I’ll get to that.

It was successful-ish. Day 1, Josie held the leash through the fence, standing outside the goat pen. Bruce held the food to keep Churro interested in staying in the corner under a tin roof, out of the hot sun. I was inside, squatting attempting to milk her. And it worked! She would kick my hands a bit at first but then I ended up grabbing the feed cup to milk into, and she let me milk about 3/4 cup. Meanwhile, Iona was climbing the fence to get in with our Billy goat, Little Bill, and causing generally dangerous scenarios outside of my focus.

Day 2 we were more prepared with a milk bucket, a lasso to hold her hips, and a bowl for the food which we wet with some water. This time we were able to measure our milk, 3 Oz., strain it through a coffee filter and Josie was very eager to taste it so we tried 1 tsp. It definitely has a fatty, lanolin, slippery feel, but I think it would make great coffee cream some day after we have our wash house up and running with electricity, water, and a clean food prep counter top. If you are interested in learning more, check out this blog …Six Facts and Benefits of Sheep Milk - Shepherds Purse Cheeses

I am excited to learn more about sheep dairy products and benefits. However, after day 3 of successfully milking Churro, alone, onto the grass, I have decided to wait until we are more prepared and I am less pregnant, to continue the milking experience the next time she lambs in the cool, beautiful spring.

Our wash house was delivered last Thursday afternoon and it is perfect. We will be moving the camper to sit beside it, at the top of our hill.

I am also excited to have an awesome garden space started from the area our neighbor scraped off the top of the hill and placed in the partially shaded front yard. The soil is loose and sandy with big clumps of grass that need removed, however, compared to the rocky soil on other areas of our land this looks outstanding. I looked up vegetables that like sandy soil and there are a lot; besides just root vegetables, things like lettuce, strawberries, and squash all like well drained soil. So, there will be a lot of work and possibilities to continue to develop the front yard into my gorgeous garden.

As far as the pregnancy is going, I am suddenly noticing physical limitations, like my batteries are low. I know what I need to do, however, there is now a slight delay as my brain convinces my body to move in the direction to complete the task, generally uphill. Plus the familiar complaints you have heard from women who have reproduced during the hottest season of the year.

Our entire family has fall /winter birthdays, so we are going to have a big celebration every summer to celebrate this new birthday. I have also introduced the idea of a new middle name to the family discussion, maybe… Delaney Jane instead of Delaney Rose? Jane was the name of one of my grandmothers who is very well known for her sweet, calm, patient personality. She taught me to crochet and was the matriarch of part of my family. I thought it might help me to remember her, as I am mothering, and strive to be more like her with my children. She also took care of a farm, with a pond, alone in the country, so I have always admired her strength and patience. Rose didn’t have significant meaning, however, I love the feminine, sound of Rose as a middle name, or ‘Rosie’ as a nick name. What are your thoughts? Also, would you try goats milk or does it seem strange? Why?

As always, thanks for reading, and any feedback.