A practical, comprehensive guide to raising sheep holistically for meat, wool, milk, and sustainability The Natural Sheep Handbook is the perfect guide for the sheep-curious, the aspiring shepherd, or the seasoned ovis steward seeking to expand their knowledge regarding the care of sheep--including tending to the flock, sustainable grazing practices, and the production of sheep-related goods, from meat and dairy to sheepskins and wool. Lacey Jean Carr, the Fireheart Shepherdess, draws from her years of experience as a traveling butcher, hide tanner, and ranch hand. She shares important insights, practical skills, and personal anecdotes that will equip readers to confidently step into sheep ownership, as though she is a neighbor mentoring you first-hand. Chapters cover: Space, shelter, fencing, and feed Common maladies and their natural remedies Breeding, caring for pregnant ewes, and lambing Considerations for rams The basics of at-home butchery and processing Salting the skin and natural hide tanning The shearing process and uses for wool Plus 12 recipes for lamb, mutton, sheep's milk, and more!
Lacey Jean Carr lives and shepherds in the Columbia River Gorge with her sons and her partner and photographer, Christian Sorensen. They run a small-scale natural sheepskin tannery, The Bucking Ewe. They spend their time in the tannery, raising Icelandic sheep, offering classes and workshops, and supporting other sheep ranchers and farms through mobile slaughter and processing. Lacey's written work can be found in The Shepherd Magazine, The Good Meat Project, and Homestead Mamas magazine. Visit her online at TheBuckingEwe.com or @Fireheart_Shepherdess on Instagram.
"At a time when interest in shepherding is on the rise, Lacey's book is a timely addition to the resource library for new shepherds. Her book offers you the insight a friendly neighbor might share, full of family wisdom and hard-earned animal husbandry lessons. I am happy to add this delightful read to my bookshelf."--Rachel Hester, WhoopsyDaisy Farm "Lacey brings together so many elements of being a shepherd here. It is hard to find a book with all of this in one place, but she has done it. This passing down of knowledge and passion is just what our world needs in order to bring up more capable and confident shepherds, who will raise flocks of healthy, happy sheep to feed and clothe our communities. This book will help folks who are interested in sheep get started with their own flock in practical and sustainable ways. Thank ewe for sharing this with the world, Lacey!"--BJ Edwards, Taste of the Wind "As a shepherdess, this book spoke to my heart in a way few books about sheep have done before. Lacey's engaging storytelling and practical guidance make even the most intimidating aspects of shepherding feel approachable. Her knowledge and heart for sheep comes through on every page. This is the kind of resource you'll want to look back on again and again, whether you're just starting out in the wonderful world of sheep or have years of experience in the field."--Kristin Tesdall, Five Roots Farm "Lacey Jean's shepherding wisdom doesn't just stop in the field. Instead, she encourages you to respectfully utilize your sheep in every stage of their life. From milking to butchering to tanning hides, she is a natural-minded shepherd and wants to help you be the same! Whether you're headed to pick up your first group of ewes or stewarding a well-loved flock, this book is a culmination of practical and thought-provoking advice that you can immediately put into action."--Katie Carrico, shepherdess at Lost Oak Sheep Farm "One of the most important aspects of learning to live on the land and work with animals is finding trusted mentors who can train you in the craft. When I first came across The Natural Sheep Handbook by Lacey Jean Carr, I was expecting a comprehensive overview of raising sheep on pasture. It is that, but much more. The Natural Sheep Handbook is one of the most accessible livestock books I have ever read. I expected to thumb through a few chapters but found that I couldn't put it down. Lacey invites the reader into her world, as a personal friend might, and explains how to acquire your first flock, breeding and lambing considerations, treating common ailments, butchering, and processing--all from a holistic perspective which honors the animal and the land. We have our first hide curing in the barn thanks to the simple and straightforward discussion of tanning sheepskins. I highly recommend this book. Lacey is a trusted mentor that every shepherd needs to meet."--Rory Groves, author of Durable Trades: Family-Centered Economies That Have Stood the Test of Time "The Natural Sheep Handbook is a handbook with heart. Lacey tells it to you straight and with humor, shepherd to shepherd. Inside these pages she shares the full life of the flock: from setting up your pasture and welcoming lambs into the world to shearing day, hide tanning, butchering, and finally bringing nourishing meals to the table. Her wisdom is practical, generous, and hard-won from years in the field. Through this book, you see sheep through Lacey's eyes--with wonder, respect, and deep appreciation. It is a true gift for any new shepherd or shepherdess, and a companion you'll return to again and again."--Caroline Nelson, Little Creek Feed
