Much Work, Much Heart: How Lambs Grow Up on a Farm - A Shepherd's Life: Raising 1,000 Ewes in Germany's Lambing Heartland

Schleswig-Holstein is home to one of Germany's most concentrated sheep populations. Each spring, around 320,000 lambs are born in the region, making it the country's third-largest sheep-farming area. Among the shepherds managing this busy season is Martina Jensen, who oversees nearly 1,000 ewes on her family farm.

Martina Jensen once worked as an early childhood educator before switching to full-time shepherding in 2022. Now, she manages a flock of roughly 950 ewes, including various breeds and crossbreeds. Lambing season is particularly demanding, with each ewe giving birth to an average of 1.8 lambs.

Jensen carefully selects the strongest female lambs to keep for breeding, while male lambs are sold. First-time mothers are allowed to give birth with minimal human help, encouraging natural bonding. For weaker or orphaned lambs, she steps in, bottle-feeding them to ensure their survival. The farm uses a modern feeding machine, letting lambs drink whenever they need to. Jensen runs the operation alongside her father and seasonal workers, all contributing to the care of the flock. Their efforts reflect Schleswig-Holstein's broader role in German sheep farming, where dense herds make the animals a common sight across the region. Nationwide, around 1.2 to 1.5 million lambs are born annually, mostly between January and April. The highest numbers appear in Lower Saxony, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia, with Schleswig-Holstein ranking fourth in sheep density.

Jensen's farm plays a small but vital part in Germany's sheep industry. The region's high sheep density ensures lambing season remains a busy and visible time each year. With careful breeding and hands-on care, her flock continues to thrive in one of the country's most sheep-rich areas.