Another spring shearing is in the books and this may have been our best shearing yet. The fleeces are a little messier than I'd like, but they aren't terrible. The weather, with the excessive rain and several high wind events, has been extra challenging this winter.
Bill, our shearer for the past...many years...has stopped shearing. Without his big shearing trailer with it's ramps and chutes to rely on, both Tring Farm and Final Frontier Farm had to set up in-barn working systems to handle their big flocks.
I watched how both set ups worked out and decided to set up a similar system over here. Tring Farm kindly loaned us all the gates and panels we needed and helped design the areas and angles and it worked a treat.
The sheep were all penned in the aisleway stall which funneled into a small catch pen which funneled into the chute which fed into a tiny catch pen where the sheep were then turned around and backed out onto the shearing board.
The fleeces might have been messier than I'd like, but the shearing itself went great. Taylor Schwartz came over from Mayslick, Kentucky, and did an outstanding job with our, um,challenging interesting flock. I've got more pictures to post tomorrow.
The fleeces might have been messier than I'd like, but the shearing itself went great. Taylor Schwartz came over from Mayslick, Kentucky, and did an outstanding job with our, um,
Sweet Cheeto
Big Moose marched into the holding pen...and then decided maybe he really didn't want to be the next sheep in the barber chair. Either that or he's standing up making some sort of speech. Either seems plausible :-).
All those beautiful baby curls :'-(.
Even prettier on the inside.
Mini Moose watching. I have a video to upload of Big Moose being sheared, but the internet is so slow tonight that I barely got these pictures loaded. You can hear Mini Moose calling to him. First hair cuts are probably a bit scary.
"They are."
Remember Mini Moose's dark gray stripe running down his shoulders as a lamb? It's still there! I'll try to remember to take a picture tomorrow.
Tabitha
Count Chocula
Big J aka Jared
Good old Salt. I think I've taken a shearing day picture of her at Final Frontier Farm every year for the last...many years. Seemed kind of funny to be taking a picture of her on our farm. Seemed kind of funny to not be shearing with Bill, too, but that worked out as well.
14 comments:
I think Salt was worried about her sheep.
Great pics. Shearing must take one heck of a toll on one's back. Hours spent bent over ... Not surprised your friend Bill has retired. Looking forward to your video. K.
Good to hear of smooth sailing, uh, SHEARING. 😊
Like every shearing day at my place, I don't recognize anyone right after. They all look like they're in great shape.
Well, well... I think I'll just sit here and drool over Jared's fleece. I thought the Moose's fleeces were lovely, then I scrolled down. My, oh my! Jared's color is amazing!!!
Oh Chocula, poor fellow!
I was surprised at the colour of Big Moose's fleece, I thought it would be brown all the way through. Very pretty!
Beautiful fiber absolutely gorgeous. Great cast of characters give that dog cookie she is so cute she reminds me of one of the pairs I had in the past tremendously. Anxious to see what everything looks like after it’s processed.
What a good sherer...so many knick and scare the sheep. Love you Salt.
It's always fascinating to see the shearing and the beautiful fleeces.
Jared's is just "wow"!
hope they all got treats.
Love all the expressions...Salts too...she looks concerned:)
Those Mooses have gorgeous fleeces! Jared's is harder to see, but also lovely, I bet. And we know Biscuit gave you another beauty..... :-)
[I do not need more fiber. I do not need more fiber. I do not need more fiber. I do not need more fiber. I do not need more fiber.]
:-) :-) :-)
Ah a brave crew and Salt made sure everyone was ok too!
Oh, so sweet.
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