Shady Creek Lamb Co.

Unlike many other sheep farms in Ontario, our ewes spend most of their lives outside.

In the spring, summer, and fall they graze on pasture, in the trees, and along rocky outcrops of the Canadian Shield.

Raising our sheep on pasture means ewes are free to move as a flock, chewing on grass, clovers, shrubs, and young trees (they love willow leaves!), accompanied by at least one of our three livestock guardian dogs.

We use rotational grazing strategies to make the best use of our land, some of it far too steep or rocky to grow crops. Always looking to improve soil quality and pasture production, we’ll typically have at least one new grazing species or set up being evaluated each season.

Solar Grazing

What started as an idea to find extra grazing for our sheep has turned into a new direction and focus for our farm. Starting with a successful pilot project in the fall of 2017, Shady Creek has partnered with a local solar power installation to provide the site maintenance — replacing mechanical mowing and herbicide use with natural grass removal through sheep grazing.

Grazing a solar site builds soil health, captures carbon, protects soil from erosion (through promotion of sod-forming plant species), promotes biodiversity and protects pollinator habitat, all while producing nutrient-dense food and renewable fibre and energy on the same acre.

Our ewes spend the spring, summer, and fall at the site — where they give birth under the watchful eye of our guardian dogs. All lambs are raised on grass with the flock and are marketed through special sales in the fall.

In the winter, our ewes live outside, sheltered in our trees, maple bush, and ravine.

We are moving our farm to regenerative agriculture principles, and have moved to unrolling bales across hay and pasture for winter feed. This spreads nutrients and organic matter evenly across the land, feeding the soil to grow more plants in the next season.
Always looking to improve soil quality and pasture production, we’ll typically have at least one new grazing species or set up being evaluated each season.

Our Lamb

Our lambs are raised by their mamas until about three months of age. Born either at the solar site or here at home, we lamb several times a year to maintain a steady supply of fresh, tender lamb in a range of carcass sizes.

We recommend ordering well ahead of time if you have specific size or feeding requirements (grass fed, grain fed, light or heavy, specific cuts, etc), as we’ll do our best to accommodate, with enough advanced notice.

Ask us anything

Both Chris and Lyndsey are passionate about raising quality pasture, healthy animals, and nurturing resilient soil. Feel free to ask us any questions about how we care for our animals and our land — but, be warned, we both love to talk!
We also have mixed firewood and maple syrup available.

You can also find us at The Log Farm Farmers' Market!

Email

kinburnsheep@gmail.com
realloudlyndsey@gmail.com

Phone or Text

613-913-4994
or 204-807-5897