Preparing for Great Lakes Fiber Show

I look forward to the  Great Lakes Fiber Show every year, but this year I've 

taken a few days of vacation from my day job (it's a vacation ...right?) 

in order to get all of my fiber ready.

I've skirted all my fleeces, about fifty, over a period of time and this is what I have;

 In the large bag on the left I have 19lbs 8oz. of black and grey fleeces

that will get made into Combed Top at Zeilinger Wool Co.

Then next bag contains almost 13lbs. of white wool, the other 

bag 13lbs. of fawn wool.  These two bags will be sent to 

Ohio Valley Natural Fibers for processing.

Both of these fiber processors will be at the Great Lakes Fiber Show,

along with other fiber processors and vendors

listed on the GLFS site under the "vendor" tab.

This is the best local fiber event!! Make time to stop in 

and check out all the vendors and workshops being offered.

 I am also entering five fleeces in the fleece sale, this is less than I 

have previously entered but I was really slow about getting my 

coats on the sheep and the fleeces weren't as clean as I would have 

liked them to be, hence I'm sending them out to have roving and top made.

 Above a beautiful fawn fleece, provided by Mateo, on of my rams.

 An absolutely gorgeous black fleece, provided by a ewe lamb, not yet named.

 A lovely very light fawn fleece that is very fine.

 This is a South Australian Merino fleece that has been brought 

in from Montana, Steitzhof Merino.

 And last, a beautiful grey shetland fleece, provided by one of my ewes, Sunniva.

 While I was outside I snapped a few photos; the rams just chilling.

 I stepped out to the barn, which just caused a mass exit.

It rained a little earlier and now is a bit humid.  It's actually cooler 

in the barn.

Our weather has been less than ideal to get our first cutting hay made.

More rain is expected this next week, so we just watch the fields 

going to seed, getting older and just know that we will have a less 

than good first cutting of hay.  I was very thankful that we were

able to get a few square bales of hay from our neighbor.

I fed one bale this morning.  When I went out at noon they had 

eaten every last piece of hay from the feeder...I'd say they liked it better

than the crappy stuff I have to feed them right now.

So of course I had to give them another square bale.

So enjoy your holiday weekend, get out and check out the fiber show

 

#194

I turned the ewes out early this morning, the weather guys said that we were going to 

have a beautiful day today...so I wanted the girls to enjoy their grass today 

because the rain will be coming.

So this evening when I went out to check on everyone  I spied waaaay out

in the pasture one of my expecting ewes with a little something that had

her complete attention.

 (I haven't gotten around to registering the ewe yet, but we will soon get that done.) 

This handsome little ram lamb.  His Sire is Black Pearl.

It appears that this little guy will have horns, his body is completely black

except two rear white stockings and a white tail.

As I've mentioned before, we are working to get some spots in the flock.

The white ewe is out of our spotted ram , her twin is a black ewe.

So with this second generation some spotting is starting to pop up 

in the lambs.

We've had several ram lambs with similar markings, some scurred, possibly polled and also horns.

This are all going to be interesting rams.  We will have to let them grown and see

what they develop into.  That's all for now...

#53 Oreo

Today has been a beautiful day to get things done outside.

So this is being posted a little late.

Last evening Oreo delivered her lambs.  Both rams.

She was bred to Barqs.  They are both marked very nice.

I do not plan to keep either of these guys, so they will 

be available after they are weaned in 6 to 8 weeks.

#50 Bianca

 This morning I knew Bianca was going to deliver her lambs today.

I penned her with Mia, fed all the other lambs some lamb pellets in 

their pen, accessible by their creep feed gate.

Gave everyone else some hay and checked water troughs.

Fast forward to late this afternoon, after work.  I've come home 

to a great Momma, Bianca taking care her lambs that she had

delivered.  Everyone is well!

 Bianca was bred to Barqs.  A polled, moorit gulmoget.

The above is a moorit gulmoget ram lamb,  I think he may also be polled.

Above is a ewe lamb, a moorit with very nice white blaze.

Both very nice lambs.

We have two more that should deliver fairly soon.

Dave's ewes that were bred to Barqs in January - February should be 

delivering in June.

#59 Mia

We have a few ewes yet to deliver.

Mia was the first to go in this second group

 Ram, "Black Pearl" is the sire of this sweet little ewe lamb.

I am pleased to have another black ewe.

Mia is a five year old ewe and delivered her lamb with no problems 

while I was at work today.  Coming home to them laying outside 

the barn in the sun.

I moved them into the barn for a few days of bonding.  

This ewe lamb will be staying here.

I have a few ewe lambs that I am keeping this year    

but there will still be some available.

As in previous years, lambs and ewes should be available for sale in mid to late June.