Saturday, February 16, 2013

Shearing

Today was the annual shearing at the AA Ranch.  The spinners guild goes to watch, buy fleece, eat, and make new friends.


Woolly butts and woolly faces.


Naked sheeps.


Visiting.



De-fleecing.




Skirting.





Wool stomping.



Janna keeps the broom busy.


Cortney keeps track of her ewes and paper work.








And, Dillon the Llama makes friends with Sara.

It was a wonderful day.  Thanks  for letting us come Annabel.  We always have a great time.

4 comments:

  1. Question...I know very little about raising and shearing sheep, but why are they shorn when it is still cold and snowing? It has to be an extreme difference for their bodies. Just curious.

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    1. The ewes will be lambing very soon. If they are unshorn, the lambs can have trouble finding a teat and may suck on wool instead. The barn where we were shearing will soon be very full of mamma and baby pairs and ewes in waiting. The sheep will have access to the barn in the meantime and will be able to get out of the wind/rain/snow if they choose.

      If they have all of their fleece after lambing they are apt to stay out in weather that is too cold for their new lambs. Naked ewes will get out of the weather if it's too cold and take the little ones with them.
      The ewes fit better in the jugs (a small pen just large enough for mamma and lamb) and are less apt to lie down on their babies.

      And, it's cleaner. The back side of a woolly sheep can get pretty messy in the process of having babies.

      Thanks for reading! I'm looking forward to the arrival of Moon at your place. I do hope that the worst of your winter is over. Take care of your arm!

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  2. EXCELLENT POST! I miss my sheep raising days!

    Linda
    *♥´¨) ¸.-´¸.-♥´¨) ¸.-♥¨) (¸.-´ (¸.-` ♥♥´¨
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
    http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

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  3. Wow! What a set up! Wish I could have joined you :-).

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