Feeding Our Animals
At Handfuls of Purpose Farm, nutrition is a cornerstone of our clean, sustainable lifestyle, ensuring all our animals receive diets that mimic their natural needs for optimal health and performance. We prioritize raw, unprocessed foods free from grains, kibble, or any artificial additives, aligning with our pharmaceutical-free philosophy. This approach not only boosts their immune systems and vitality but also supports our goal of raising resilient, productive livestock in harmony with the Creator’s design.
For our livestock guardian dogs, we exclusively provide a BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet, consisting of raw meats, bones, organs, and occasional fruits or vegetables sourced from our farm or trusted local providers. We’ve always fed them this way since bringing them home from the renowned sheep farm in central Missouri. We do not feed kibble dog food, no grains, and nothing processed. This natural, clean diet is packed with high-quality nutrients, enzymes, and probiotics that promote strong digestion, healthy coats, sharp instincts, and overall robustness. By avoiding commercial feeds, we ensure our dogs remain free from fillers, preservatives, or chemicals, allowing them to thrive as the capable protectors they are meant to be. This raw feeding regimen has proven essential in maintaining their energy for round-the-clock guardianship, reflecting our commitment to performance-driven care.
Feeding Our Sheep
Our sheep’s diet is designed to be as natural and forage-based as possible, supporting their parasite-resistant genetics and the demanding East Texas climate. We only feed them pasture grass and hay, never any grains, to keep their systems clean. This 100% grass-fed approach through rotational grazing ensures they receive a diverse array of nutrients from fresh, living plants, promoting strong immunity, efficient digestion, and high fertility without reliance on supplements or interventions.
At certain times of the year, particularly during drier seasons or when pasture growth slows, we supplement with alfalfa in both pellet and hay form to provide additional protein and minerals. This targeted addition helps maintain their condition without compromising our no-grain policy, ensuring ewes remain productive (lambing twins or more) and the entire flock thrives in parasite-heavy fields. By sticking to these pure, forage-only feeds, we foster sheep that are not just surviving but excelling.