Valais blacknose sheep
Here's a look inside our keeper pen! Known as "the cutest sheep on Earth" these beautifully striking wool sheep are one of a kind. Originating from the Valais region of Switzerland, these sturdy and coarse-wooled sheep date back to 1400 AD and are known to love mountainous conditions. Because importing the animals from Switzerland is illegal, the US began breeding programs mixing Valais with other wool breeds back in 2016. Now, the UK and New Zealand can export genetics (embryos and semen) from their sheep into the US. Breeders here then use surrogates (also known as recips) to then grow and raise fullblood Valais Blacknose lambs born right here in the US.
Back in 2024, we became the first Valais Blacknose Sheep Society (VBSS) registered Valais Blacknose breeder in West Virginia. Our flock began with six breed-ups and has grown to 17 beautiful, wooly friends. The sheep below are part of our breeding crew and will be kept while we plan and grow our flock.
Annabelle
Birthdate August 24, 2024
VBSS #5393 Parkdale Elvis x Diana Lover’s Lane
Jasmine
Birthdate March 1 2022
VBSS #4565 Heartland Creed x Remarkable Audrey
Moonpie
Birthdate July 13 2025
VBSS # 6320 Balamber x DBF Jasmine
Medusa
Birthdate June 20 2025
VBSS#006527 Iowa Leonidas x VSI Y23-49 Kupkake
Mercedes
Birthdate August 7, 2025 VBSS# 006529 Laurel Highland Black Magic x VSI Y23-48 Kake
Finley & Gerald
Annabelle's twins from May 4th are available!
Breed Up Valais
The Breed-Up Valais Blacknose sheep were the start of our flock back in 2024. These beautiful ladies are either F1 (50%) F2 (75%) or F3 (87.5) Valais Blacknose. When the US began importing genetics from across the world for breeding, they used other wool breeds to bring the fantastic characteristics of the VBN to the states. We will hopefully continue "breeding up" until we reach the F5, which is considered "American Purebred"
F2 Ehlii
Birthdate August 24, 2024
VBSS #5393 Parkdale Elvis x Diana Lover’s Lane
F1 Sophie
Birthdate March 1 2022
VBSS #4565 Heartland Creed x Remarkable Audrey
F1 Lilli & Leyla
VBSS #s 5550 & 5552
Laurel Highland Black Magic x Pitchfork Ranch Tess)
Cricket
F2 Ewe Birthdate February 28, 2025 VBSS #006942 Laurel Highland Sophie x Balamber
Elphaba
F2 Ewe VBSANA# 2457 Birthdate January 28 2025 Highland Killan x Revier Kandy
Hannah & Isla
Our 2026 breed-up lambs are available now! Hannah is an F2 (75% VBN) and Isla is an F3 (87.5% VBN)
Mini Highland Cows
The Scottish mini Highland cow is a modern version of one of the oldest and most famous types of cattle in the world. Mostly bred in North America, mini Highland breeders were looking for the traditional features of the rugged Scottish Highlands such as the long horns, shaggy hair, and calm personality, but in a smaller package. Our friends over at Herbaria Highlands impressed us with their ethical and top-tier breeding practices and we have loved getting to know these beautiful and endearing cows at our ranch.
Dottie
Dottie is a purebred chondro+ miniature Highland. Her personality shines and is always happy to see us head to field with her treats.
Maple
She loves getting into anything she can (including dog crates), busting into treat bags, escaping pens, eating every last animal cracker and overall being a completely adorable and loveable menace.
Idaho pasture pigs
The Idaho Pasture Pig (IPP) is a newer breed of pig that is composed of the Duroc, Old Berkshire, and the Kunekune pig. These are true “grazing” pigs and are very gentle in nature, have great personalities, are easy to work with, are slightly smaller in size than traditional pigs, are great mothers, are able to live outdoors all year round, and can grow extremely well with a diet of primarily grass.
Bear
Bear was our very first pig and joined our farm in the early days of Fall 2024. As our only boar, he is the sire for all of our offspring here on Double B Ranch. He is a gentle giant and loves getting back scratches and pumpkin snacks.
Shirley
Shirley is the matriarch of the pigs. Named by one of my best friends who loves pigs, Shirley Schambura is a wonderful example of the breed. She is gentle with us but is a fierce and loving mama with her babies.
June
June joined the farm in Spring 2025 and has been a sweet, docile sow in the group. She has farrowed twice and had two wonderful groups of babies. She is always one of the first to join in during snack time and loves pumpkins and watermelon the most!
Feathered friends
In Fall 2025, our friend gifted us with a variety of fertilized eggs to incubate. We hatched some beautiful little silkies and have enjoyed watching them grow into the most friendly little fluffy butts…. With the exception of Mr Sheffield. Mr Sheffield is a pit bull in a silkie rooster's body. We are hoping he changes his ways, but he is highly protective of his flock.
Our egg laying flock has been growing since summer of 2024 when we moved onto our farm. Each of our three kids initially picked a different breed of egg-laying hen, including Isa Brown, Barred Rock and Black Sex Link. Since then, we have added Easter Eggers, Olive Eggers, and both Lavender and Buff Orpingtons. Watching the different cliques and chicken drama that erupt within our flock is very entertaining.
Cats
Our sweet, furry friends were among the first animals we added to the farm. With the number of buildings on the property, the cats have enjoyed exploring and setting up their own "lairs" throughout the property. From possums to raccoons to the dogs, these cats are fierce and have run off many mice and other small creatures.
Kevin
Our gorgeous tuxedo boy, Kevin, joined us as one of the first animals on the farm. He and his sister Betty were part of a litter of rescue kittens that we brought with us from Pittsburgh. Kevin lives in the barn full-time and loves patrolling the grounds for mice.
Betty
Betty-Betty is the most precious calico girl. She and Kevin came with us from Pittsburgh and while she loved the barn, she was injured and required special care inside the house. Since then, she leads a double life as a vicious predator outside who can also use the doggy door to snuggle inside with the kids. She is well-known for bringing her treasures inside to us.
Marshmallow
Marshmallow joined our family from a nearby kill shelter and was immediately a favorite. She had been found in a terrible outdoor living situation, so even though she loves the barn life, she is incredibly loving and enjoys all the human attention we can give her!
dogs
After the cats, Yetty was the next big farm animal that we purchased. After we visited a friend’s sheep farm, we learned about her Maremma Livestock Guardian dog, Tito. They are an Italian breed, similar to the Great Pyrenees, but tend to be a little smaller and are known to wander a little less. We have found this breed to be fantastic with our kids and most visitors in general. They are fiercely loyal and fantastic protectors to our flocks/herds. Rosie joined us in 2025 and she and Yetty had a litter of puppies in March 2026.
Chewie and Baby Dog are our beloved indoor cockapoos. They have definitely made some changes with moving from suburban dogs to farm dogs. Chewie absolutely thrives here. He loves running alongside us to check on all the animals and worries to death about any baby animal, especially the baby chicks. Baby Dog is a dedicated couch dog and can be found observing the farm activities from indoors.