City of Winterthur Hires Sheep for Lawn Mowing

Winterthur has introduced a unique way to maintain its green spaces. Instead of using lawnmowers, the city has hired a flock of sheep to keep the grass neatly trimmed. The sheep will be paid in grass, making them a cost-effective choice for the job.

Winterthur Replaces Mowers with Sheep

The city has confirmed that they have employed 10 sheep to replace traditional lawnmowers. These sheep will graze in city parks for the next few months, and later they will move to a local school and cemetery in autumn. Michael Wiesner, Head of Ecology at Stadtgrün Winterthur, mentioned that if the project proves successful, they might extend it to other areas. Wiesner explained that sheep are not just random grazers; they are selective eaters, often consuming grass in a specific order, much like a meal.

Sheep Mowers Help the Environment

Wiesner noted that sheep’s selective eating promotes biodiversity. Their slower grazing is gentler on the environment compared to mechanical mowers. The sheep will help create habitats for plants, animals, and insects. They also spread seeds and fertilize the soil with their droppings. Additionally, sheep help control the mouse population, which benefits birds of prey.

Sheep Mowing Not a New Idea in Switzerland

Using sheep for mowing is not a new concept in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) have been employing sheep to manage grassy areas near rail lines for years, with 100 sheep currently in use. However, previous attempts in Zurich have faced challenges. For example, some sheep ate too much grass, leaving behind barren patches.

Choosing the Right Sheep

Wiesner explained that Zurich’s problems arose because of overgrazing, with too many sheep in one area for too long. In the case of the Juckerhof adventure farm, the issue was using Shropshire sheep, which are too greedy. For Winterthur, Skudde sheep will be used. These sheep, native to Germany and the Baltic states, are known for their careful grazing and are ideal for this task. The sheep will be moved to a new location every three weeks to ensure effective mowing without overgrazing.