Winter is here, and caring for our flock during the colder months is one of our top priorities. At Ambry Acres, we’ve embraced the natural magic of wool to keep our sheep warm and healthy during the cold Canadian winters. Wool isn’t just an amazing insulator; it’s also a sustainable resource that plays a key role in eco-friendly farming. Whether your flock is fully fleeced or recently shorn, understanding wool and sustainable care practices is essential for keeping them cozy all season long. Join us as we discuss wool winter care tips.
One key aspect of this care is managing their bedding and understanding the incredible role that wool plays.
In this post, we’ll dive into how we prepare our sheep barn for winter, why wool is a natural wonder, and how sustainable farming keeps our flock and the environment thriving. Plus, don’t miss the chance to watch our latest video and sign up to get exclusive tips, updates, and resources straight from our farm to your inbox!
How Wool Keeps Sheep Cozy and Warm
Sheep are naturally equipped to handle cold weather thanks to their wool, which is one of nature’s most effective insulators. Wool traps tiny pockets of air, creating a barrier that retains body heat while keeping moisture out. This insulating effect helps sheep regulate their body temperature and stay warm, even in harsh Canadian winters.
The natural lanolin in wool further enhances its water-resistant properties, ensuring that sheep stay dry in snowy or damp conditions. This is why sheep with full fleeces thrive in cold environments with minimal external assistance.
Impact on the Barn Environment
Sheep contribute to the barn’s internal temperature by radiating body heat. When they are fully fleeced, their wool traps most of this heat, reducing how much is released into the barn air. However, when sheep are shorn in winter, they lose this insulating layer, causing:
- More Heat Loss: Shorn sheep release more heat into the barn through radiation and convection.
- Energy Loss: Without wool, they burn extra calories to stay warm, which can affect weight and health if not managed.
- Colder Sheep: Despite the barn being slightly warmer, shorn sheep are more vulnerable to cold stress.
The Role of Wool in Winter Care
Wool is one of nature’s most remarkable materials. For our sheep, their wool coats are like a built-in winter jacket. However, when sheep are shorn, they temporarily lose that extra layer of insulation. Shearing is necessary for their health, and timing it strategically ensures that they’re not carrying excessive wool as the seasons change.
When sheep are shorn ahead of winter, we make adjustments to their care to compensate, including:
- Fresh Straw Bedding: A thick, clean layer of straw provides warmth, insulation, and comfort for shorn sheep.
- Shelter from the Elements: Our barn protects the flock from wind, snow, and freezing temperatures.
- Nutritional Support: Extra feed ensures they have the energy to stay warm and healthy during the colder months.
Sustainability at the Heart of Ambry Acres
Our commitment to sustainability shines through every aspect of winter care. For example, after we add fresh straw bedding, the used straw doesn’t go to waste. Instead, we compost it, turning it into nutrient-rich fertilizer for our fields and gardens. This closed-loop system reduces waste, improves soil health, and minimizes our environmental impact.
By choosing sustainable practices, we’re not only supporting our sheep’s health but also protecting the planet for future generations.
Watch the Video: Prepping the Barn for Winter
We recently filmed a behind-the-scenes look at how we prepare the sheep barn for winter. Watch as we spread fresh straw, explain how bedding keeps our shorn sheep cozy, and share a sustainable farming tip you can try at home.
Click below to watch the video!
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