This is the view straight south off our front porch. The front yard slopes down quickly to the gravel county road. Then it gradually drops away to the creek, and up a slope, then levels off to what we call "the bench". This hill rises straight up from the bench, so steep that its difficult to climb to the top! All this area is the domain of the BFL flock, and they are rotated from place to place all summer and most the winter, grazing off an area, then moving on to clean paddocks, allowing the grasses and forbs to regrow. This keeps them on fresh, actively growing, high protein pasture all spring, summer, and fall, and allows us to stockpile the fall regrowth for winter grazing. When weather and management stategies align, the only time we need to feed hay is when it gets too cold, too snowy, or during an ice storm. This helps to keep the sheep clean, healthy, and in good physical condition from the exercise. I personally think its best for their mental health as well, as they seem most content when they are grazing and not relying on us for food and water.