Our Small Flock
Small in number, big in character
At Slate House Farm, our flock may be small—just five breeding ewes—but they’re a central part of our seasonal rhythm and our aim to live closely with the land.
Each year, we put our ewes to the ram on 1st October, timing the breeding season so that lambing begins in mid-March, when the days are starting to lengthen and the grass begins to grow. It’s a careful balance of nature and planning that allows us to raise our lambs with as little intervention as possible, relying on the natural instincts and strong maternal traits of our Mule ewes.
This past spring was especially eventful—every single ewe gave us triplets! While that’s a real testament to the health and vitality of the flock, it also meant a lot of extra work in those early weeks. With more lambs than mothers could comfortably feed, we stepped in with bottle feeding, raising five cheeky, affectionate orphan lambs by hand. They quickly became the stars of the farm—following us around, bleating for attention, and charming every visitor with their bold personalities.
Our lambs are reared slowly on grass-rich pasture, with room to roam and plenty of fresh air. We don’t push for speed or size—we let nature do the work, ensuring the lambs grow at a natural pace and build strong, healthy frames. The result is flavourful, traditional lamb that reflects the land and care behind it.
More than just livestock, our sheep bring life, energy, and joy to the farm. Lambing time is our busiest, most rewarding season—and every year brings new stories, new challenges, and new characters to fall in love with.
From pasture to plate, our sheep are a vital part of our self-sufficient journey, and we’re proud to raise them the old-fashioned way: with patience, purpose, and plenty of heart.