Hilde Buer

Sheep whispering
The Art of Communicating with Sheep

Have you ever met the gaze of a sheep and wondered what it was trying to tell you?

Sheep are among Norway’s oldest and most widespread domesticated animals, but how well do we really know these intelligent and social creatures? In this book, author, sheep farmer and sheep whisperer Hilde Buer invites you into the world of the sheep. With warmth, insight and scientific precision, she shows us how sheep experience their surroundings – and how we can learn to understand their language.

Over the past decade, research has given us a wealth of new knowledge about sheep. This richly illustrated book brings together the latest research with a wealth of practical experience in husbandry, environment, grazing, health and animal welfare, connecting it all to real-life situations on the farm and out in the countryside.

Sheep are constantly giving us subtle signals about what they need and how they are feeling. When we learn to read these signs and build trust, we can reduce both forceful handling and unnecessary stress for animals and people. The result is better animal welfare, calmer handling and more efficient farming. With an understanding of sheep biology, behaviour and social life within the flock, it becomes easier to create the conditions for healthy, confident and well-functioning animals.

This is an essential handbook for sheep farmers – and a fascinating book for anyone who wants to understand sheep better and learn more about animal welfare and ethics.