He has taken the same sheep, Alabama, to the County Fair every year since she was a lamb and this year Alabama had a ewe lamb, so she will go to the fair with her mom.
Clayton's mom, Terri helps me a lot, and is a good friend that is always willing to help me out. This last year, she has vaccinated, wormed, helped with shearing, scrapped fat off pelts and last night she helped Clayton and I roo sheep. Had to get that new sheep stand rolling and since the weather seemed to be cooperating for once, we did one yearling ewe that needed to be rooed badly and 2 rams. Probably did 1 sheep too many last night, but that's a classic Kelly move to not quit while I still can drag myself to the house. (grin) I'm a slow learner.....
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| Just getting started......... |
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| It's coming off easily......new growth is about 1/2" long under the old growth already |
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| Finishing up odd pieces (she had already lost ALL her neck wool. |
Ringo rooed easily on his back, sides and britch, but I had to hand shear some of his shoulders on the side and the front of his neck on the lower portion. His new growth was much longer than Rhianna's so that went slower and we got 4 times the fleece from him that we did from Rhianna.
Buddy only rooed down his back and britch, and he had significant new growth that really grabbed the old fiber, so I just hand sheared the rest of him. That was enough for one night.....
One sheep = 20 minutes? Don't ever apply for a job on an Australian ranch.
ReplyDeleteNo danger of that Tom. We tried shearing with electric clippers the first year we had sheep and it took over an hour for 2 of us to do one sheep and she looked like she's been run through a blender. I sold the clippers so I'd never be tempted to try it again. I think I heard the sheep clapping their hooves with joy when I sold them, not sure, but I swear they were cheering too.
DeleteLove the sheep pictures. The process looks so interesting. But, I have a question. What is roo?
ReplyDeleteShetland sheep shed their fleece, it's a primitive trait that a most Shetlands have retained. When they begin to shed, it's called "The Rise" and the process of plucking the wool that has released on it's own is referred to as rooing. So when we roo the sheep, it's referring to the process of removing the fleece as it sheds from the sheep.
DeleteThank you for the kind comment about my flock, I can sit and watch them for hours.
Good Morning Kelly, Your post brought back memories of the days when my dad had sheep. You always take all of the help you can get. I loved your little visitors in your previous post. They always like the farm animals and they are so cute. Have a wonderful day. Hugs and Prayers from your Missouri Friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shirley, I love the visitors, they always ask great questions!! Nothing can make people smile faster than lambs bouncing and racing around while they play.
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