Category: Sheep

Tupping! What on earth is it!?

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Tupping

This is a new Term for me, apparently I’ve been helping our sheep with the process, but I didn’t know that the term for it is Tupping, or that a Ram is called a Tup! Did You? No! Then read on…

When the cooler days of Autumn come upon us, the temperature outside goes down, but the Tups, start Tupping! So, what the heck is Tupping!? 

Tupping is when Rams, male sheep, also known as Tups, begin to feel the Call of the Wild! 

In the Wild, wild male ruminates, such as those in the deer family, are said to be in Rut. The Rut, when male wild ruminants seek out their mates, is similar to what domestic Rams, or Tups, do as Fall comes up on us, the urge to mate comes upon animals such a Sheep, Rams, known as Tups, enter a season of Tupping! 

This Tupping is, of course, in correspondence with the Ewes, female sheep, coming into what is known as Heat! So, when Autumn comes upon us, and the temperatures begin to Fall, wild animals begin their Rut, domesticated male sheep, Tups, begin Tupping, and as the temperatures Fall, things Heat up with the Ewes! 

So, Now You Know! Or is that Ewe Know! 😉 

Naturally Turning Woodlands into Pastures and Gardens with Animals

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I’m always amazed at the wonderful work these animals do! Turning woodlands into pastures and gardens takes work. Yet our Briden Farm Animals make it look easy! They also make it look beautiful! Following are some before and after shots. 

This area was old, very old, pasture about forty years ago! Overgrown and full of weeds, stag horn sumac, and so on. Till we introduced our Goats, and Sheep, to the are! Now look…

Incredible! Isn’t it?
The area above was also grown up, overgrown, and difficult to maneuver. Now it’s Beautiful! 
This gives You an idea of the before and after.
I also love how they help create little trails and quiet spaces 
Sometimes I just like to sit and enjoy the views. 
Almost like Parklands 

Do You have property that is overgrown, full of weeds, briars and brambles, and other nasty invasive species? Would You like to turn it into beautiful areas like we have here? Contact Brian at Briden Farm call 902-907-0770 

Turning Old Burnt Out Hay Fields to Grazing Pastures and Gardens

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It’s been just a couple weeks short of two years since we moved our animals on to this property. 

The Barn Property Sept 2022

When we were asked to come there and use the land and barn, the fields were mostly old and burnt out, full of invasive and toxic weeds. Two years later through the use of rotational pasturing, and regenerative farming techniques these are those fields today… 

While the original goals of the Property Owners, of “Just keep the trees from growing in, and the fields from getting over taken” with hopes of getting rid of the toxic and invasive plants. Although we wanted to help showcase the work, and help make this place even more beautiful. We’ve used Goats, Pigs, Chickens, Rabbits, and now Sheep to help improve this wonderful old property. Just look at those hay fields now! A true testament to the capabilities of these wonderful birds and animals! 

Not only have we helped keep the fields from growing in, we’ve helped to eliminate many of the weeds, both toxic and invasive. Although it’s still a work in progress! Sheep need adequate pasture grasses and forage to thrive and our shearer and others, and even the wool quality of the sheep have all testified to this being the case! It’s incredible to see the transformation that’s taken place! 

We’ve even managed to turn some of this ground into gardens!

2024 Garden at The Barn Property

Using deep bedding for our animals through the winter helps provide well composted hay and manure to help naturally grow the gardens. The whole thing is laborious and yet rewarding. We work mostly by hand, employing time honoured methods and let our animals do most of the heavy lifting! It’s a labour of love, one where we always strive to be good Stewards.