Meet Hazel: The Shouty Sheep at Field of Joy
Hello Hazel!
Here at Field of Joy Social Smallholding in Norfolk, every animal has their own personality, but none quite as vocal as our resident sheep, Hazel! If you've ever wondered whether sheep can be expressive, spend five minutes with this woolly character and she'll quickly put that question to rest.
One of the most endearing things about Hazel is her love of human interaction. Her absolute favourite thing? A good chin scratch. She'll stand there for ages, clearly in sheep heaven, while you give her a gentle scratch under her woolly chin.
When it comes to feeding time, Hazel has developed quite the sophisticated strategy. She's particularly fond of being hand-fed treats, especially when her field-mate Trudy is keeping guard over the food bucket. It's quite the sight to see this clever girl working out how to get the most treats while navigating the politics of sheep social dynamics!
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Hazel is her apparent love of selfies! Whenever visitors pull out their phones for a photo, she seems to know exactly what's happening and often positions herself perfectly for the shot. We joke that she must have been an influencer in a previous life!
Creating Connections:
Hazel is more than just a sheep - she's a reminder of how unique and personable farm animals can be. She helps visitors to our social smallholding understand that animals have distinct personalities, feelings, and preferences. Through her friendly demeanor and expressive nature, she's become one of our most effective ambassadors for animal welfare education.
Whether she's reminding us it's feeding time, following visitors around for chin scratches, or posing for photos, Hazel brings joy to everyone who meets her. She's a perfect example of why we do what we do at Field of Joy - creating connections between people and animals that enrich both their lives.
Come visit us at Field of Joy Social Smallholding, and if you hear a loud bleating upon arrival, don't worry - that's just Hazel saying hello... or possibly reminding us it's time for her next meal!