Isla Hare was inspired to start her own flock after asking for two ewes as a birthday present when she was just six-years-old – Britain’s youngest shepherdess is ‘over the moon’ having welcomed five newborn lambs
Britain’s youngest shepherdess is “over the moon” after welcoming five newborn lambs into her very own little flock. Budding farmer Isla Hare, seven, welcomed the lambs into her growing flock which includes five ewes and a tup – bringing her total up to 11.
The newborn female pedigree Ryeland lambs which she has called Fliss, Floss, Frankie, Flair, and Francesca were conceived by her ewes. Little Isla was given ewes Lilly and Betty for her sixth birthday and said she “loves everything” about her latest wooly editions. She added: “Whenever I go over to them they always snuggle into me.”
Isla’s mum, Helen, 34, said: “She is over the moon and has been hands on keeping them healthy and well. As they are pedigree Ryelands, any born this year need to start with F.”
Ryeland lambs born in 2025 are to be named with the letter F according to the Ryeland Flock Book Society. The mum of three said it was Isla’s “first time” getting involved in the lambing process.
Helen, a primary school teacher, said her daughter “was very emotional and helpful” in her first lambing season. The first two lambs, Fliss and Floss, were born in February, and came as an early birthday present for Isla who turned seven just two days after they were born.
Since then the youngster has welcomed Frankie and Flair on March 8 and Francesca on March 10. Isla’s family, from Bradford, Yorkshire raise beef cattle at New Church Farm.
“At five years old Isla asked for her own sheep for her birthday,” said Helen. She added: “We agreed she could have a few of her own for her birthday. With a request like that, how could we say no?”
Isla was just four-years-old when she won her first award when showing sheep which involves presenting the animal proudly to a set of judges. For Isla’s sixth birthday Helen and husband Thomas, 40, agreed she could choose two sheep to start her flock.
Helen said: “Off we went to multiple markets finding a breed that was friendly, hardy and most of all super cute. She fell in love with coloured Ryelands and she purchased her first two, who she named Betty and Lily. She adored the girls and Betty had two lambs with her who we registered and reared.”
Isla went on to show her very own lambs in the summer and came first in the ram lamb class at Otley Show. Helen said Isla “was over the moon”, but said the bathing and the trimming before the shows was always her favourite.
Helen then bought a ram named Yoshi and two more girls for Isla’s flock. She said: “She started with two sheep. She now has five ewes, a tup and the five lambs.
Helen said Isla is also an “avid” reader of Farmers Guardian reader alongside her grandad. Helen said: “She’ll read it with grandad and come back and tell me what kind of nutrition we need to give her sheep. She’s definitely a mini-farmer.”
Asked what her favourite thing is about the sheep, Isla said when she gives them a “scratch” and they “wiggle their tails”. Now the youngster hopes to be a vet and a sheep farmer when she grows up so she can “look after” her sheep “all by herself”.