Meet Our New Icelandic Sheep: Bugsy, Midnight, and Astrid
This month, we are excited to introduce three new faces on the ranch: Bugsy, Midnight, and Astrid. Our new Icelandic sheep! They have spent about a month in quarantine, settling in, getting used to our routines, and giving us time to watch them closely before they meet the rest of the flock. If you follow us on Instagram or if I saw you in person, thank you for the ultimate name suggestions for these cute faces!
Adding wool sheep is a new step for us. Our existing flock consists of Dorper (hair) sheep, and they are practical, hardy, and known for shedding their coats without shearing. Icelandic sheep bring something different to the pasture. They are a true wool breed, with beautiful fleeces, old roots, and a reputation for being tough little sheep with lots of personality.
This is a trial for us. We wanted to see how a few Icelandics might do alongside our Dorpers, how they fit our ranch, and what it is like to manage a handful of wool sheep. Now that their quarantine period is ending, Bugsy, Midnight, and Astrid are ready for the next big step: joining the flock!
Why we wanted to try Icelandic sheep
The idea started as one of those “what if” ranch conversations that we often have. If you've been following along, you'll know that we were interested in both Dorpers and Icelandics, but ultimately chose Dorpers. Opportunities always present themselves, and about two months ago I received an email from a local Icelandic shepherd telling me that she miscounted and had a few sheep for sale. Earlier in the spring before we brought our original flock home, I reached out to see if she had any for sale this year, but sadly she had already sold out. Luckily, a few more came up for sale!
Icelandic sheep are known for their fleece, and their wool is one of the biggest reasons we wanted to try them. They grow a double coat that can be used in different ways, and they come in a wide range of colors and patterns. For anyone who appreciates fiber, that is hard to pass up. They are a breed that has so many uses, especially for a crafter like me.
We were also drawn to their history. Icelandic sheep are an old breed, shaped by a cold climate and generations of practical use. They are often described as hardy, alert, and efficient foragers. Those traits matter, especially when sheep need to do well on pasture and handle seasonal changes. Adding them does not mean we are moving away from Dorpers, we are just testing what works and if we can manage a mixed flock. There is a big difference between liking a breed on paper and seeing how that breed fits your practice. Books and breed descriptions can tell you a lot, but the real questions show up in daily chores:
How do they handle our fences?
How do they behave at feeding time?
How do they manage our weather?
How do they settle in with the sheep we already have?
Bugsy, Midnight, and Astrid are here to help us answer those questions!
Icelandics are usually smaller-framed than some modern meat breeds, but they are not delicate. They are active, sturdy sheep that tend to move with purpose. Many Icelandics are horned, though some are polled (which means naturally hornless). Both ewes and rams can have horns, depending on the individual and their genetics. All three of ours have beautiful spiral horns.
One of the first things people notice is their variety. Icelandic sheep can be white, black, gray, moorit, spotted, patterned, and many shades in between. That makes a pasture of Icelandics look less uniform than a flock of all one color, which is part of their charm and why we decided to give them unique names.
Their wool is the main attraction
Icelandic fleece is often described as double-coated. The outer coat is called tog, and it is longer and stronger. The inner coat is called thel, and it is softer and finer. Together, those fibers create a fleece that is used for warm, durable yarn. For us, this is one of the most interesting parts of the trial. With wool sheep, shearing becomes part of the yearly rhythm. That means planning, timing, and finding the right way to use or sell the fleece.
What quarantine taught us about Bugsy, Midnight, and Astrid
To be honest, quarantine is not the most exciting part of bringing home new animals, but it is one of the most useful! For about a month, Bugsy, Midnight, and Astrid have been separate from the rest of the flock. That gave them time to settle after the move and gave us time to watch their behavior, appetite, body condition, and general health. It also helped keep our established sheep protected while we made sure the new arrivals looked good and adjusted well.
A quarantine period is a simple idea: keep new animals apart before mixing them in. During that time, the job is to observe. Are they eating normally? Are they bright-eyed and alert? Are they walking well? Are they handling their new environment without too much stress?
It also helps us become more familiar to them. New sheep need to learn our routine, and we need to learn theirs. It gives us time to train them on the treat bucket so that they come towards us, too. We have watched who comes forward first, who hangs back, and who has the boldest opinion about feed. That kind of daily observation is easy to skip when animals are immediately mixed into a larger group.
Bugsy (left) has already earned the kind of name that fits a curious sheep. He notices things. He checks out what we are doing and seems to want to be part of the action. He is also a bit bug-eyed…
Midnight (center), true to her name, brings that beautiful dark presence that makes Icelandic sheep so striking. Dark wool in the flock adds drama to a pasture, especially beside lighter sheep. Who doesn't love the presence of a black sheep?
Astrid (right) has the classic strong, pretty name that feels right for an Icelandic ewe. She is the most vocal when it comes to food and is so deer-like and delicate. I just also love the almost-heart shape around her left eye!
Their personalities will keep showing themselves as they join the larger group. Sheep are flock animals, but they are not all the same. Some are bold. Some are watchful. Some are bossy around feed. Some are quiet leaders. The fun part is getting to know them beyond the first impression!
Moving sheep from quarantine into the main flock is not something we want to rush. Even calm sheep need time to sort out their place. When new animals meet an established flock, there can be pushing, chasing, and some figuring out who belongs where. That is normal, but good management can make it easier. Our plan is to introduce Bugsy, Midnight, and Astrid with care and keep an eye on the group as they settle. We recently introduced a few chickens to our Dorper flock to act as a clean up crew and were surprised to find the ewes herding the chickens around!
A few things we will be watching closely include:
Flock behavior We want to see how quickly the Icelandics bond with the Dorpers and where they fit in the group. We've talked to other shepherds who say that mixed flocks typically have "cliques" regardless of how long they stay together.
Feeding time manners Mixed flocks can have different energy levels. We will watch to make sure everyone gets a fair chance at grass/hay, minerals, shelter, and water.
Fence respect Icelandics are known for being active and alert. We want to see how they handle our pasture setup and electric fence boundaries. So far, our Dorper sheep are very respectful of the fence with no escapees (knock on wood!).
Pasture performance We are curious to see how they graze, move, and maintain condition alongside the hair sheep. Our hope, as a wilder species, is that they help with the weeds that our current sheep bypass for the most part.
One of the biggest differences outside of their wool will be their horns. Horns can affect how animals interact in tight spaces like around feeders, gates, and shelters. We will be paying attention to space and setup so everyone can move comfortably. We've already made one mistake by introducing sheep hay nets. Turns out, they will wrap themselves up in a hay net when they are hungry!
This is the part of farming that is both exciting and humbling. You make a plan, then the animals show you what you need to adjust.
Good ranching is about observing, adjusting, and being honest about what works. Sometimes a new addition becomes a perfect fit. Sometimes it teaches a lesson and sends you in a different direction. Either way, the ranch gets smarter. For now, we are simply glad they are here and are enjoying the uniqueness they bring!
KB
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