What's New?! Coats!!

We have finally been able to get some coats for some of the girls.  These are a few of the lambs that I have coated so far.  Invested in the "Rocky Sheep Coats", they are quite nice.  Followed their site to measure my sheep, but I've found that my measurements didn't quite fit their measurement. 

 I found my measurement to be 2 inches too short.  But no harm done, I just had to put coats on sheep according to how they fit.  I will still need to order more coats, as the larger sheep need bigger coats and I don't know if these coats will make it until early March when we shear.
But I know I am excited that I will have much cleaner fleeces next year.....Yea!!

This group is set up in a temporary shelter and I haven't been able to get in with them to put on their coats.  As you can see that beautiful black horned ram in there.  This is my 'Whistlestop' ram, he has a great personality, but I don't want to get between him and his girls. 

Ashland County, Autumn Fiber Festival

We had a great time at the Autumn Fiber Festival.  This was our first year at this event and we will be back!  It was great to talk, reconnect  and meet with so many other fiber enthusiast. 
Now we come into a slower time (hopefully) and can replenish our stock.  Since my last post we (my guild, The Algonquin Spinners & Weavers) have participated in three festivals demonstrating, for a total of 14 days.  Then Dave Lewis and I helped with one Fair for the fleece judging.
We have begun setting up our breeding groups with high expectations for quality lambs and colors next year.  Will post more about some changes we are planning soon....
That's all for today!



  

Ram lambs # 108 & #125

 These two rams are both Grand Luxe offspring

on the left is #108, the right #125

108 has the katmoget pattern, with moorit based color.

125 has a moget pattern with the darker markings on the face and legs.  The pattern does not run down the neck, under the belly and up the backs of the legs.

 #108 was born April 2, 2014 he has a nice long appearance, his fleece has a very soft handle.  He has small scurs which shouldn't grow very much and a wonderful personality, very friendly, but respectful.
His Dam:  DLS Eve, Reg.# S35375 micron 26.4 Comfort Factor 81.7
His Sire: ShelteringPines Grand Luxe, Reg.# S34244 micron 24.9 Comfort Factor 92.4

 This is the crimp on his shoulder, click on the picture to biggify.

 This is the crimp on his rump.

 This is #125 he has a moget pattern. Born April 14, 2014.  His fleece color would be considered light grey.  He has very small scurs, just nubbins.

His Dam:  DLS Chloe Reg.# S35376 she is a light grey moget also.  Her micron 29.5 Comfort Factor 58.7

This ewe is one of a couple that I've kept in my flock and have bred to finer fleeced rams.  They have a wonderful handle to their fleeces, great sheen and nice length.  I am trying to incorporate their special traits along with finer fleeces.

His Sire:  ShelteringPines Grand Luxe Reg.# S34244 micron 24.9 Comfort Factor 92.4

 This rams fleece length is a shorter than #108, yet crimpy.

 This is the crimp at his rump.

These are two more to consider if you are looking for a breeding ram this fall.

I have two more special ones to show you hopefully tomorrow.

Ram Lambs #94 & #98

Ram #94 on the left & Ram # 98 on the right.

Both of these lambs are out of Sheltering Pines Grand Luxe

Registration # S34244

He is a wonderful ram that I have had the opportunity to use on my ewes.

These two have very typey shetland tails & scurs.

They both have the Katmoget pattern, although #98 on the right has the darker underbelly & rear.

Click on the photo to 'biggify' #94 has a nice crimpy fleece at the shoulder.

This ram was born March 21, 2014 -twin

I had a pic. of his fleece on the rump but accidentally deleted it while setting up this post.

But he has a consistant style of crimp through his fleece and it is dense.

 #94's Dam is Whistlestop 1113 Reg. # S33987

Her micron is 25.8 Comfort Factor: 92

Sheltering Pines Grand Luxe, micron 24.9 Comfort Factor 92.4



This is #98, he is a nice solid ram, he is was born March 23, 2014 - twin

Dam:  DLS Sweet Pea Reg.# S36683

Sire:  Sheltering Pines Grand Luxe Reg. # 34244

Sweet Pea's micron 23.6 Comfort Factor 90.2

Grand Luxe micron 24.9 Comfort Factor 92.4



This ram has nice wide scurs and color.

His fleece is a very nice fawn color and he has crimp!

This is the crimp on his rump.

This guy has a nice look to him and a great personality.

I have a few more ram lambs I will be posting about that will be available.

They all have respectful dispositions and would make a positive addition to any flock.

We have been breeding for finer fleeces and these are some of the results.

Inquire by email if interested.



Our Flock

This is our entire flock of ewes and lambs.  I have several crossbred 2yr.old ewes and 2013 crossbred ewes available.  Several shetland ewes are also available.

I have posted a couple pictures under the 'for sale' tab....of course my camera is acting up and I could get certain pics. loaded...so I will try and take more Saturday.

Saturday, July 9, 2014 I will be demonstrating spinning at the "Heritage Forest Festival" at the Tuscarawas Co. Fairgrounds.  If you are in the area stop by, this is a free event and we will be spinning under the grandstand.

...gorgeous ram for sale

The above four photos are posted here for a fellow shetland sheep breeder who does not use the internet regularly.  If you are interested in this gorgeous ram contact me and I will put you in touch with him. 
This is a 3 Month old  purebred shetland ram *this ram can be registered and would make an excellent ram to be used to improve a shetland flock in both fleece and conformation.  His horns will be good, he has a respectful disposition and a gorgeous grey/emsket fleece.  He will be ready to be used on your flock this fall. He is $250.00
This ram lambs sire is: http://www.mtn-niche.net/NASSA/nassa_pedigree.php?pregno=S38656


See next post for more Sheep available for sale......

Sheep for Sale

After evaluating our lambs from this year I have more that I want to keep, so I have to let some of the adult ewes go.  I have approximately 10 ewes that I would like to move on and a couple of crossbred ewe lambs to go also.

I have mostly registered shetlands and some shetland cross.  Top picture shows a Moorit based ewe, her fleece color is Musket. Next pic. down shows two  Katmoget ewes, above picture shows a light grey shetland along with some of the crossbred ewes.  The crossbred ewes are 3yrs.old. The crossbred ewes have been sold!!!  The shetlands range in age from 4-5 yrs old.  (2 ewe crossbred lambs approx. 3 months old. These two are sold!)
I did not get pictures of all these ewes, as it is sometimes difficult to get them separated for individual photos.
I have several nice quality shetland rams that have very nice fine fleeces and would be a great addition to a registered shetland flock.  The Shetlands are registered, the shetland ram lambs can be registered.
Pricing on adult ewes is reasonable, what I would consider my prime shetland ram lambs the price is $250.00 as a registered ram. 

I have other ram lambs that are available, that would make nice grass eaters if that is what you are looking for , I would not consider as breeding rams and would 'crimp' them before they left the farm.
These would be available for $1.80 / lb.