SHEEP AND GOATS AND WOOL.

  

Ranger steps up on the grooming stand for his first shearing.

 

 

 

10 goats to shear and now this year an additional two sheep, loomed before me. I had not sheared a sheep since college so I was a bit unsure of myself.  Removing the goat fleece has become almost a routine task, although a back breaking one, but I didn't want to tackle the beautiful sheep fleece without a refresher course.  Our friends agreed to help me.  Shearing day started out cloudy with showers but we were optimistic!  While waiting for our friends Martin and Mitzi to arrive, I did manage to get one of the goats sheared. So we were on the way.   Martin suggested that we start at the shoulder area to get into the dense fleece.  Then we worked along the back and sides  and let the fleece fall down on either side.  When I do the goats, I start at the top line and remove fleece along the back bone first.  This helps me remove a lot of guard hair first, which you do not have to be concerned with when shearing sheep.

after most of the fleece is removed it is easier to place the sheep on the ground to remove any wool from the neck, inside of legs and belly area.  The sheep like to pretend they are dead at this point!  They can be such drama queens!

What a beautiful boy!  Thanks for growing all the wool, Ranger!

Now it was Millie's turn. She was on to us and did not appreciate the chance to have the pounds of heavy wool removed from her body.  But once she was in the stand, Millie acted like a good girl and ate little bits of sweet feed while the shearing progressed.

oops.  I promised her I wouldn't post this picture

blurry picture but Millie sure looks good.

Don't even think about shearing me!

Endless possibilities!  Beautiful soft creamy white wool.  This will make some amazing yarn

After all the goats and sheep have been sheared.  I have a lot of raw wool to process! It is all so gorgeous. 

 The girls just wanted to be part of the post.

This is Big Feather Foot.  She is a cuddle bug!