Freedom Farm

I’m always up super early checking on the ewes and lambs. I must have been tired because I slept in this morning (just in case you’re wondering 6:15am is sleeping in for me during lambing ). I dragged myself out of bed to check on the pregnant ewes and noticed Prairie was in labour. As I got closer I realized things weren’t going well. I saw a very swollen head and one hoof sticking out. At this point I’m kicking myself for sleeping in because that baby doesn’t look alive.... I try to get close to her, but she’s stressed and super freaked out and she takes off at a run I finally herd her into the barn, close the door then run to grab warm water and lube (and yell for Joey because I know it’s going to be a 2 person job). I manage to get the other hoof out and then Joey comes and after some pretty hard pulls, we get the gigantic lamb out. We amazingly get the lamb breathing, give it to mom, but she wants nothing to do with it. We leave them be for a while hoping that with us gone she will calm down and accept the lamb. We go check on them a little bit later. Lamb is up, but mom still isn’t interested and starts head butting the poor lamb when I move it closer. Assuming we have a bottle baby on our hands we milk mom so we can feed the baby. While I’m milking I get the lamb to latch on, momma totally relaxes and then starts making those sweet little mom noises and starts cleaning the lamb. (I might have started to cry at this point because I was so happy with how well this entire scenario turned out). I assumed it was a ram because our giant ones are always rams and this is probably the biggest lamb we’ve ever had born. Turns out it is a giant ewe lamb! She still has a pretty swollen head from the traumatic birth and we’re keep a close eye on both of them, but we couldn’t be happier with the outcome so far! . . . . #lambingseason #lambing2021 #icelandicsheep #icelandiclamb #ewelamb #happyendings See more

The little shepherdesses feeding Angus/Cereal (the poll is still happening in our Instagram stories... help us pick a name for little Runt!) . . . .... . #angusorcereal #littlerunt #shepherdess #littlefarmers #femalefarmers #farmhers #livingtheirbestlife #icelandicsheep #lambing2021 See more

Finally getting some much needed rain. Our gardens and pastures are grateful. I think the dogs are happy too. . .... . . . . #springshowers #raindance #happydog #muddydogs #komondors #hungariansheepdogs #livestockguardiandogs #freedomfarmkomondors See more

First time mom, Salma, gave us an incredibly handsome ram lamb this afternoon. . . . .... . . #lambingseason #lambing2021 #icelandicsheep #icelandiclamb #ramlamb #salmahayek See more

Twin ewes born this morning. . . . .... . . . #lambingseason #lambing2021 #icelandicsheep #icelandiclambs #twinewes #livestockguardiandog #komondor #hungariansheepdog #babybuster See more

The electric fence is finally up and the sheep are thrilled to be down in the lower pasture after spending the last month and a half gazing longingly at it . . . .... #icelandicsheep #pastureraised #regenerativeagriculture #happysheep @pinelodgefarm See more

This little brat gave me a heart attack this morning.... I went out to do morning chores and I noticed he was missing. I started to look in his usual hiding places, but no luck. Panic started to set in and I began sprinting around the pastures yelling COREY (and probably waking everyone up). At this point I’m on the verge of tears and run to tell Joey and grab the gator so I can drive through the forest to look for him. That’s when I hear it... a faint little baaaa off ...in the distance. I run back out the pasture calling him and following his baaas. And there he is on the other side of the fencing, slowly walking out of the forest, casually munching on the green grass and looking at me like what’s your problem. Relief washes over me, then I call him a few names for scaring me so bad. Looks like I’ll be walking fence lines today and patching up any Corey sized escape routes. . . . . . #asheepnamedcorey #coreythesheep #tiniestsheepever #icelandicsheep #escapeartist #littlebrat See more

A little Corey Hart for your Tuesday evening (and creepy Moses staring me down in the background ) . . . .... #asheepnamercorey #coreythesheep #coreyhart #icelandicsheep See more

This hen got picked on badly by the other chickens when she was young. They picked at her head so bad her skull was exposed and we weren’t sure if she would make it. The biggest little farmer took it upon herself to care for this hen, who she affectionately named Broken Brain. Broken Brain healed up exceptionally well and now instead of living with the other chickens she likes to be close to us. She hangs out around our house all day and sleeps perched on the sheep pastur...e fence with the turkeys at night . . . . #brokenbrainthechicken #biggestlittlefarmer #farmkids #farmlifebestlife #spoiledchickens #happyhens #pouletdebresse #bressecanadienne #ethicalfarming #freerange See more

Moody Monday . . . .... #farmkids #farmlifebestlife #turkeys #beltsvilleturkeys #autumnair #endofsummer #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming #freerange #pastureraised See more

Happiest Ducks . . . .... #saxonyducks #silverappleyardducks #happyducks #freerange #pondlife #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming See more

4 years ago we bought this bare piece of land in the North Thompson. We fell in love with that view and had big dreams. We worked hard, harder than I’ve ever worked before, to build this place to what it is today. We’re never ones to shy away from a new adventure or opportunity so when our friends asked us to come farm their 30 acres on Vancouver Island with them we decided to go for it. It still wasn’t an easy decision. It was hard to walk away from every thing we worke...d so hard for, but we found great renters who will continue to farm our land and so far we’re loving it here on the Island and excited to see what another 4 yrs brings. . . . . #newadventures #farmlife #bigdreams #regenerativeagriculture #framilyfarm #ethicalfarming #pinelodgefarm See more

The shady patch by the pond seems to be the prime spot to spend the afternoon . . . .... #freerange #happybirds #pouletdebresse #bressecanadienne #ixworthchickens #beltsvilleturkeys #saxonyducks #silverappleyardducks #komondors #livestockguardiandogs #protectors #ethicalfarming See more

@captain.poulet finished building the mobile coop and we moved it out to the pasture this morning. The chickens are already happily hopping into the nest boxes. Looks like we’ll have eggs for sale again very soon! . . .... . #freerangechickens #pastureraised #farmfresheggs #happychickenshappyeggs #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming #millbay #eggsforsale #pinelodgefarm See more

We haven’t even been here a month and we’ve already had an emergency room visit. @captainpoulet fractured his foot a few days ago after a little fall. Don’t worry, he’ll be ok. He’s tough and was even walking around on it for a few days before we convinced him to go to the hospital. . .... . . #farmlife #atleastitsnotbroken #gratefulforcanadianhealthcare #icelandicsheep #pastureraised #ethicalfarming #regenerativeagriculture See more

. . . . #farmlifebestlife... #farmkids #freerange #pouletdebresse #bressecanadienne #komondor #livestockguardiandog #ethicalfarming #regenerativeagriculture See more

Traffic jam . . . .... #farmlife #farmtraffic #beltsvilleturkeys #pouletdebresse #bressecanadienne #ixworthchickens #dinnertime #pastureraised #freerange #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming See more

We started leash training Corey Hart . . . .... #asheepnamedcorey #coreythesheep #coreyhart #icelandicsheep #icelandiclamb #petlamb shepherdess @ Mill Bay See more

When you’re late with breakfast . . . .... #pouletdebresse #bressecanadienne #ixworthchickens #heirloombreeds #heritagebreeds #thisisfreerange #pastureraised #millbay See more

Steely Dan loves his chin scratches . . . .... #steelydan #icelandicsheep #icelandicram #grassfedlamb #triplepurposesheep #pastureraised #millbaybc #newfarm #pinelodgefarm See more

Saturday morning on the farm . . . .... #farmlifebestlife #freerange #pastureraised #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming #pouletdebresse #bressecanadienne #icelandicsheep @ Mill Bay, British Columbia See more

We’re all starting to settle in . . . .... #farmlife #islandlife #millbay #icelandicsheep #pastureraised #freerangechickens #pouletdebresse #bressecanadienne #komondors #livestockguardiandogs #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming @ Mill Bay, British Columbia See more

This past week has been an emotional whirlwind. Saying good byes , packing, cleaning, minimal sleeping and then this heat wave . This heat had us worried about travelling with all the animals, so we loaded them all up last night and pulled an all-nighter in hopes that we could sneak on the first ferry of the day instead of our later reservation. We made it here right 5am and loaded right on Grateful for Nana and Papa who took the kiddos for a couple days so we could make ...this move happen with a tiny bit less chaos. Now I’m going to enjoy this view and sneak in a little nap . . . . #movingday #islandlife #farmlife #thebigmove #newadventure See more

We’re only moving next week, why not get a new sheep We need a name for this pretty lady and you all were so helpful with naming our keeper lambs from last year so I’m asking for your help again. Remember our theme is 70/80/90’s rock/pop stars or actresses . .... . . #namethatlamb #newlamb #ewelamb #icelandicsheep #icelandiclamb @ Freedom Farm - Freedom Meats See more

Another keeper ewe lamb Salma Hayek . . .... . #icelandicsheep #icelandiclamb #ewelamb #salmahayek #heritagebreeds #triplepurposesheep #grassfed #psstureraised #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming

Olivia Newton-John One of our keepers from this years lambs . . .... . #icelandicsheep #icelandiclamb #ewelamb #heritagebreeds #triplepurposesheep #grassfed #psstureraised #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming See more

Did you know we feed our chickens, ducks and turkeys organic BC grown grains that we lacto-ferment.... When it comes to chickens, fermented feed has been found to increase egg weight, shell weight and shell thickness; boost the chickens’ intestinal health by forming a natural barrier to acid-sensitive pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella; and lowered their consumption of feed (due to their bodies digesting the fermented feed more effectively). It also reduces the level of a...nti-nutrients found in the grains and seeds, and greatly improves the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals during digestion . . . . #organic #fermentation #fermentedfoods #bcgrown #pasturedpoultry #pastureraised #freerange #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming #farmhers #cutestfarmhelp #farmkids #iamamodernfarmer #fieldstoneorganics See more

If you turn the volume up you can hear @captain.poulet talking turkey . . . .... #turkeys #beltsville #heritagebreeds #turkeytalk #regenerativeagriculture #pastureraised #freerange #ethicalfarming See more

The move date is set and the ferries are booked. 2 more weeks of this incredible view and this wonderful little community. Feeling sad and excited . . Edited to add: Yes all the animals are coming with us and we will still be farming! .... . #thebigmove #thecountdownison #beautifulbc #norththompsonvalley #norththompsonriver #vanisle #millbaybc #farmlifebestlife #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming See more

I really love these sheep . . . .... #icelandicsheep #shepherdess #myhappyplace #pastureraised #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming See more

He still thinks he’s a chicken . . . .... #asheepnamedcorey #coreythesheep #coreyhart #icelandicsheep #icelandiclamb #petlamb #chickenlamb #runt See more

Unfortunately Dasha’s new home isn’t a good fit, so she’s looking for a new home/farm again She’s been raised with poultry and sheep. People friendly and good with kids. She would make a good guardian with a male partner or a good general farm companion. Please pm for more info

Surprise! This little girl was born last night. We had a couple lambs born late last year so we held on to them over the winter. The one ewe we kept is leaving for her new home later this week, but decided to surprise us with a lamb last night. (I’m sure if we had been looking and not so preoccupied with the move we would have noticed she was pregnant and it would have been a little less of a surprise). We were rounding up the sheep to do some hoof trimming and by rounding ...up I mean we shake a bucket of grain and stampede ensues . Joey was shaking the grain and I was taking this opportunity to work with Kavik, our young LGD,as he still has the tendency to chase the sheep when the run. I see this young young ewe run by with a baby hanging out. I’m calmly trying to get joey’s attention as to not get Kavik worked up in amongst this chaos. So the baby was born in this stampede of sheep... unscathed luckily, but mom kept running. We tried to get her to accept the baby but because of the chaos of the whole situation she just wasn’t interested. I’m not sure she even knew what happened. So we have another bottle baby. She’s a tough, feisty, sweet little girl and is going to go live on our friends’ farm with our other bottle babies from earlier this year . . . . #neveradullmoment #farmlife #icelandiclamb #icelandicsheep #lambingseason #lambing2020 #bottlebaby #bottlelamb See more

Herding the turkeys back to the farm after they went on a little adventure this morning . . . .... #escapeartists #turkeyrun #turkeyadventures #naughtyturkeys #heritagebreeds #beltsville See more

*SOLD* We have pullets available. A mix of our heritage breeds. Good layers of white to tan/light brown eggs. Pm for more info.

I know I’ve said it before, but I’m going to say it again.... I’m really loving this cooler wet summer. We’ve had no days above 30C yet, our pasture is so green and lush, and no worry of forest fires so far . . . .... #summervibes #farmlifebestlife #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming #familyfarm #freerange #pastureraised #livestockguardiandogs #beautifulbc See more

Moving day is approaching quickly. So much packing and organizing to do still. It’s a bit overwhelming, but we’re getting excited. I’m really going to miss this view though . .... . . #thebigmove #farmlifebestlife #thatview #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming #icelandicsheep #summernights See more

We’re all smitten with this little runt. He often runs to greet us when we come out to the pasture . . . .... #asheepnamedcorey #coreythesheep #coreyhart #totallysmitten #petlamb #coreyspam #icelandicsheep #icelandiclamb #farmkids #shepherdess #shepherdesses #farmhers #iamamodernfarmer @ Freedom Farm - Freedom Meats See more

Happy Canada Day . . . .... #happycanadaday #proudcanadian #canadianfarmers #familyfarm #farmlifebestlife #farmkids #regenerativeagriculture #ethicalfarming See more

Corey messing with the birds again . . . .... #asheepnamedcorey #coreythesheep #meetthesheepmonday #littleshitdisturber #icelandiclamb #icelandicsheep #petlamb See more