Chana Stiefel - Sheep on the Family Farm

Baa, Baa

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY FARM! SHEEP ARE ONE ANIMAL THAT LIVES ON THE FARM. HOW DO THE FARMERS TAKE CARE OF THEM? WHAT DO SHEEP EAT? WHO BUYS THEIR WOOL? FOLLOW THE FAMILY OF HOWLING WOLF FARM AS THEY SHOW YOU THE IMPORTANT STEPS IN RAISING HEALTHY ANIMALS AND HEATLHY FOOD FOR THE PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHANA STIEFEL has a Masters Degree in Journalism from New York University and has written a wide variety of childrens books. While interviewing the family from Howling Wolf Farm, she enjoyed learning many new things about their farm animals and the hard work it takes to make healthy food. Check out the authors work at http://www.chanastiefel.com.

breedOne type of animal in a group.

eweA female sheep.

fleeceWool cut from a sheep.

grazeTo feed on grass.

lambA baby sheep.

ramA male sheep.

Did you know that the wool from a single sheep could make as many as eight sweaters? To find out more fun facts about sheep on a family farm, read on!

A group of sheep is called a flock.

Matt and Tara raise sheep on their family farm. They raise many other kinds of animals, too. Their children, Jack and Alice, help out with chores.

Matt and Tara raise five to ten sheep on their farm. Alice rides on Matts shoulders when he checks on their flock.

Matt and Taras sheep graze in the fields. They eat grass and weeds. They also like flowers. The sheep eat and chew all day.

Sheep need to eat grasses and plants to stay healthy. Matt and Tara keep their sheep away from horse nettle. This prickly plant can harm the sheep.

It is lots of work to move the hay into the barn for the winter.

On cold winter days, Jack helps move the sheep into the barn. He feeds them hay. Hay is dry, cut grass. The sheep drink lots of water, too.

Rams use their horns when they fight with other rams. They might fight over a ewe.

A baby sheep is called a lamb. Its mother is called a ewe (you). Its father is a ram. Most types of rams have big horns that curl. Horns start to grow soon after a lamb is born. The horns grow all through the animals life.

A hungry coyote is coming close to the flock! The sheep feel danger. They have sharp eyesight. Their ears perk up when they hear a sudden noise. They smell trouble. The sheep run away fast.

On many farms, a dog protects the sheep from coyotes, wolves, bears, and other animals.

Yarn is knitted to make warm clothes and blankets. Some wool is used to weave carpets.

On some farms, the farmers cut the sheeps wool. It is like a haircut. It does not hurt the sheep. The cut wool is called fleece. The fleece is cleaned and untangled. Then it is spun, or twisted, into threads of yarn. The yarn can be dyed many colors.

Sheep are grown for milk, cheese, and meat.

Some sheep are raised for milk. The milk is made into cheese. Matt and Taras sheep are raised for meat. The meat from an adult sheep is called mutton. If a sheep is less than a year old, the meat is called lamb.

To make some cheese, the farmers can hang it in special cloth to dry.

Not all sheep are the same. There are more than 200 different breeds. One breed may be white. Other breeds are black, brown, gray, red, or spotted. Which do you like best?

Katahdin

Jacob