Tag: shearing

New ‘Dos for Sheeps

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So, finally here are some post-haircut photos of Edgar:

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He seems so happy with his new ‘do, and he’s been super friendly since our bonding experience last weekend.

So, I thought I’d try Chone next.

He’s a friendly little guy, but has less of an attention span Edgar, so I had to take it in stages.
Here he is in the ballerina stage:

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Silly, eh?

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I finally got the rest off of him today, and now he is naked and lumpy like Edgar.

Also got a start on Felix. Just the neck and chest so far. But it looks like he’ll be a good cooperator.

I have to say, I’m really glad I decided to shear the guys myself.
Would have been a lot faster to have someone come out, and the fleeces would probably be a lot better (not in hunks and chunks), but I am really enjoying harvesting all this wonderful wool from the boys. It’s been a good experience so far-

Here are some samples of the goods they guys have donated:

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That’s Felix on the left and Chone on the right.
Both about 5.5-6″. Chone’s fleece has quite a bit of veg in it,, but I was expecting that, and plan to comb it.

I’ve gotten most of Edgar’s fleece washed up already- here it is fresh off the drum carder-

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And all swatched up-

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Wally has suggested that I use the fleece knit him an “Edgar suit”, so he could go undercover.
But I think his ears would give him away.

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Other suggestions?

Will Work For Fleece

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It’s been a good weekend.
Always helps when you have a couple extra days.

I really should do that more often.

Thursday I went over to Schoonover Farm to help with their shearing.
I always jump at the chance to help with something like this, because it’s a great opportunity to learn (and earn a really nice fleece!)

This year I chose Spike.
Here he is being shorn:

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The fleece:

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And the first yarn:

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Mmmm mmmmm good.
Good show, Spike!

Saturday, we did our sheep maintenance routine- hooves, deworming, and administering the CoSeCure boluses for the first time.
It was a bit hairy, getting the boluses down them, until we developed a technique,, but they all got done. And it doesn’t look like anyone has spit them up, so I think we’re good!

This afternoon was really beautiful, so I was going to go out and get some fleece photos, but the boys wouldn’t cooperate.
So, I decided I would take samples instead.

Went back to the house to get the nice new little shears that got just recently.
Thought I would just get a couple snips worth, as a preview.

But when I got out there, Edgar just walked right up and said “Take it off. Take it all off”

And so I did.

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First he just stood there while I was clipping.

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Then he sat down.

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And I just kept on clipping.

At some point, the other guys got curious and came around to see what was going on.

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I had Frank climbingup on my back, and Chone nibbling on my ear.

Crazy guys.

But it was fun. Edgar was so relaxed, and I just kept chatting him up, telling him how sporty he was gonna look in his new ‘do.

Probably took an hour or more.
I just took it slow and made sure not to get too close to any skin.
He’s still got a half inch to an inch of wool on him everywhere, so I don’t think he’ll get too chilly.
Seems mighty relieved to be rid of the heavy coat, actually.

And I’m glad to take it from him.

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Edgar’s a bit lumpy lookin’ and the fleece is a bit jumbled,, but I think we’re both pretty psyched about how it went.

Who’s next? Perhaps on we of the big boys?

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