Sheepflock 'de Westkust'
Stal de Westkust is located in Ouddorp, at the very tip of the island of Goeree-Overflakkee — more than 500 kilometres from the birthplace of the Herdwick sheep. At Stal de Westkust, the wellbeing of our sheep always comes first. We breed on a small, hobby-based scale with the aim of preserving and strengthening the Herdwick breed in the Netherlands.
Health is extremely important to us. We carry out regular worm testing and rotate grazing areas to avoid unnecessary deworming. We have a personal bond with all our animals: they are not numbers, but individuals with their own names and personalities. Each sheep has its own character, which makes it a joy to get to know them.
Our flock consists of around 20 ewes. None of the lambs are sent to slaughter; they are only sold to homes we trust and where we know they will be well cared for. Our rams never live alone — they always have company. For us, the intrinsic value of each animal is central, and we care for them with love and respect.
Our connection to England
Although our flock lives more than 500 kilometres from the Lake District, we strive to keep our Herdwicks here as close as possible to the original English type. The harsh climate and the traditional way of keeping sheep in England have shaped the breed into strong, hardy and self-reliant animals.
To prevent Herdwicks in the Netherlands from weakening or changing in type, we prefer to work with rams bred in England or with direct offspring from recent English bloodlines within the EU. Due to import restrictions this can sometimes be a challenge, but it remains an important principle in our breeding policy.
We are members of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders’ Association (HSBA), the official breed society that safeguards the Herdwick in England and defines the breed standard. Through the HSBA, we stay closely connected to breed development in England and maintain contact with farmers and breeders in the Lake District.
In this way, our flock here on the west coast of the Netherlands remains closely linked in type and character to the Herdwicks in their original homeland.
Tups from the Lake District
Our ram Mats is a gentle and well-balanced ram, with a sire from the well-known Brockstones flock of the Dickinson family in Kentmere. This flock has been known for generations for producing hardy, tough Herdwicks that live in the midst of the rugged mountain landscape. The Dickinsons run their 1,100-acre farm under often extreme conditions—heavy snow, biting winds and steep fells—which has made their sheep true survivors. Mats carries exactly that hardiness, thriftiness and traditional fell-type build that is so characteristic of this region.
The modest yet impressive ram Mason has added character to our flock. Mason’s bloodline comes from Chapel House Farm in Borrowdale, a traditional fell farm run by Joe Weir. This farm lies in the heart of one of the oldest Herdwick regions in the Lake District, where flocks have grazed the open fells for generations. Chapel House Farm is known for its authentic Herdwicks that live on steep slopes, ancient stone terraces and rugged mountain pastures.
Conservation grazing with our
Herdwick sheep
At Stal de Westkust, we believe that sheep are not only part of our daily life, but also play a valuable role in maintaining healthy landscapes. That is why we use our Herdwick flock for conservation grazing: a natural form of land management in which sheep keep the landscape open, prevent overgrowth and stimulate biodiversity.
Herdwicks are naturally strong, hardy and curious animals that feel perfectly at home in open nature reserves. Their calm grazing behaviour creates a mosaic of short and slightly taller vegetation, giving herbs, pioneer plants and insects far more opportunity than in fully mown areas. In this way, our flock helps with:
- preserving flower-rich grasslands
- keeping paths and banks open
- reducing overgrowth by reeds or brambles
- increasing variation in plant structure
- supporting insects, birds and small mammals
Conservation grazing connects our work with sheep, wool and landscape into one whole: authentic, small-scale, sustainable and fully in line with the natural values of Goeree-Overflakkee.
Preekhilpolder
The Preekhilpolder is a remarkable nature reserve in Ouddorp, located behind the Oudelandse Sea Dyke between the open polder landscape and the influence of the Grevelingenmeer in The Netherlands.
It is a place where fresh and salt water meet, creating unique plant communities. In this small but richly varied landscape, moist and drier grasslands lie side by side, with subtle salt influences in some areas due to seepage water. As a result, special species grow here, including various sedges and orchids, giving the area a strikingly colourful and diverse vegetation.
Our sheep help maintain this openness and variation through natural grazing, which keeps the grasslands airy, gently disturbs the soil, and allows plant species to retain their place in the landscape. For us, the Preekhilpolder is a valuable area where nature conservation and sheep farming come together beautifully.
Kleistee
The Kleistee is a beautiful and varied nature reserve managed by Zuid-Hollands Landschap, located near the centre of Ouddorp. Here, open grasslands, young developing nature and rougher, more sheltered areas alternate with one another. The landscape originated from former agricultural fields that have gradually been transformed into a diverse nature area, offering space for bird species, herb-rich vegetation and insects that benefit from the variation in structure and tranquillity. The influence of sea winds, open space and slight differences in soil moisture give the Kleistee its own character, with areas that can quickly become overgrown without natural management.
In this area, our Herdwick sheep play an important role. Through their calm and selective grazing, the landscape remains open and the natural variation—so essential for both flora and fauna—is maintained.
Our vision on animal care
At Stal de Westkust, we believe that a flock can only truly thrive when animals are kept with attention, calm and respect. Animal welfare is always our highest priority. We therefore choose a way of working in which every animal matters, regardless of age, sex or role within the flock.
Our rams are never sent to slaughter but remain part of the flock for as long as possible. We also keep a number of castrated rams: gentle, calm animals that feel perfectly at home among the ewes and younger sheep. They form an important part of the social structure within the group and beautifully demonstrate that every animal has its own intrinsic value.
We value our older ewes just as much as the lambs born here. We also do not let our ewes lamb every year; production is not a goal in itself. We choose a rhythm that suits each animal and the natural development of the flock.
Our sheep always live in company — never alone. They live in a close-knit flock in which they can show their natural behaviour. Daily care, rotational grazing, health checks and shearing are all done with attention and in a sheep-friendly manner, respecting the calm environment that sheep need.
In this way, we try to create a place where Herdwicks can be healthy and strong, but above all can simply be sheep: part of a peaceful, stable and lovingly cared-for flock.
Basic needs
For keeping sheep, it is important to consider the following:
1. Sheep are flock animals
Sheep are social animals that thrive best in a group. It is therefore essential to keep them with at least two or three other sheep.
2. Sufficient grazing land with good fencing
Provide enough space for grazing and movement. Fencing should be sturdy, safe and high enough to keep the sheep secure.
3. Shade and shelter
Sheep need protection from strong sunlight; a shelter or trees providing shade are essential.
4. Fresh drinking water and minerals
Always ensure access to fresh drinking water. A mineral bucket containing copper provides Herdwicks with essential minerals, vitamins and trace elements.
5. Regular care
Regular care includes hoof trimming, worm management or pasture rotation, vaccinations and veterinary visits when needed.
Interested?
At Stal de Westkust, we breed Herdwicks with a strong focus on health and animal welfare. All our animals are certified free of zwoeger disease. We work with various English bloodlines, and all our sheep are registered with the VSS (Dutch Association for Special Sheep Breeds) and meet the official breed standard. In addition, we are members of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders’ Association (HSBA).
If you have any questions or are interested in Herdwick sheep, feel free to contact us for more information. We are happy to sell our Herdwicks to people who care for their animals with the same attention and respect, and who value the basic needs of sheep. It is important to us that our Herdwicks find a suitable, caring and loving new home. We work with a waiting list for sales; you can register via info@herdwickschapen.nl
